From a lack of hospital beds to a GP shortage, there’s been no end to the reasons often given for the health service’s struggle. Now, a beloved children’s television character appears to be taking the blame.

A GP has suggested that the family doctor in the animated series Peppa Pig is fuelling 'unrealistic expectations of primary care.'

Writing in the British Medical Journal, Dr Catherine Bell questions why patients immediately consult their doctor for 'minor ailments.' She then provides examples of the show’s Dr Brown Bear providing Peppa Pig’s family with exceptional medical care that goes above what is realistic.

In one example, Dr Brown Bear makes an urgent home visit to a patient with a facial rash, offering reassurance and a dose of medicine. Bell says this highlights 'unnecessary prescribing for a viral illness, and encourages patients to attempt to access their GP inappropriately.'

MORE: PEPPA PIG EPISODE IS BANNED IN AUSTRALIA AFTER WARNING THAT SPIDERS ‘CAN’T HURT YOU’




In another episode, Dr Brown Bear develops symptoms after treating a pony for a cough. His patients rush to the surgery where they administer him medicine and sing.

According to Bell, this moment shows the doctor is suffering from 'burnout'. She adds: 'His disregard for confidentiality, parental consent, record keeping, and his self prescribing indicate that the burden of demand from his patient population is affecting his health. He is no longer able to offer the level of service his patients have come to expect.'

What to read next

Bell concludes that 'exposure to Peppa Pig and its portrayal of general practice raises patient expectation and encourages inappropriate use of primary care services.' She also admits that further research is needed to confirm this, but Professor Helen Stokes-Lampard, Chair of the Royal College of GPs, said that there is a 'serious message' behind this light-hearted article.

'The article does highlight how essential it is that NHS England's GP Forward View, which promises an extra £2.4billion a year for general practice and 5,000 more GPs, to be delivered, in full, and as a matter of urgency, and that similar pledges are made and delivered in each of the devolved nations,' she commented.

'Ultimately, we wouldn't want a fun but irreverent article targeted at doctors to diminish a much-loved children's television series – and to be honest, shouldn't Peppa and her friends be going to see a vet, not a GP, anyway?!'

Entertainment One have declined to comment on the subject matter.

MORE: MEET THE 15-YEAR-OLD WHO VOICES PEPPA PIG

Like this? Subscribe to the Good Housekeeping newsletter.