"Deliberately Obstructive Processes?"

Banbury Cross Health Centre make it as difficult as possible for patients to contact the person who can help them. If you can face navigating the specific times on the telephone system to speak to medically unqualified staff, they will then ask highly intrusive questions to see if your issue warrants a doctor calling you, which they may or may not do. If they do, you may then be lucky enough to actually see a doctor, face-to-face. Needless to say, I do all I can to avoid this stress and only contact the surgery when I absolutely have to. Today was one of those days.

Earlier this year, I’d arranged a Men’s Health Check. I’m nearly 60, so this seemed like a good idea, particularly to get my prostate checked. However, I found that the prostate check is no longer part of that process. Instead, it requires a specific appointment. So after a telephone consultation with the doctor, he agreed that I should have a blood test followed by a face-to-face appointment. I had the blood test today and then, following the advice of the nurse, I went to make the follow-up appointment at the desk. The receptionist apologised but said I wouldn’t be able to make an appointment there; instead, I would have to telephone. Even though I’m standing right in front of her.

I accept that having patients must be an inconvenience to a doctors’ surgery in the same way that customers at a restaurant are probably quite annoying. And recognising this, I do all that I can to avoid bothering them. I eat well and take plenty of exercise. I’ve become quite proficient at setting broken bones and preparing herbal remedies and poultices. But sometimes, I have no choice but to see a doctor. This is one of those times. Does the surgery really need to make it so complicated? Or is it by design?