"No communication or courtesy"

It was a pleasurable experience today to obtain a GP appointment on the actual day I booked it.

However, having arrived ahead of time for a 1.45pm appointment, I finally left the surgery at 2.10pm, still waiting to be called in by the GP with no communication as to the delay or how long it might last.

On reporting the delay to reception, they had no idea why the delay had occured and could offer no advice as to how long I might be kept waiting.

Like GP's, many patients are on a time schedule with their professions or domestic commitments.

If a patient has the courtesy to arrive and register for an appointment on time, the surgery surely should return that courtesy by advising if there is likely to be a delay and how long that delay might last.

It is understood that emergencies do arise however some consideration might be offered to patients who are kept waiting as a result.