"Failure at point of entry"

I rarely trouble my local GP. I am one of those men who only goes to the doctor when something is very wrong. I rang today to get an urgent appointment because I have a lump near my thyroid which has persisted for the last 2-3 months. I have difficulty swallowing and no infection. The receptionist was dismissive and offered an appointment in a months time. At a time when so many people are being diagnosed with cancer too late, it is shocking that one of the significant reasons for late diagnosis is likely to be receptionists who are simply not qualified to be in the critical diagnosis pathway.