"Medication Assessment per Telephone"

6 months ago I went to collect my 2 monthly prescription only to be told that it couldn't be dispensed as I needed a medication review. The pharmacist said he would try to get permission to give me some tablets but that I needed to speak to my doctors. I went straight away to book an appointment which was at the beginning of September and it would be a telephone consultation . I then asked about a blood test which I had always had prior  to an appointment. I was told that that couldn't be done until the end of September and that was all that could be offered. In the past before Queens Medical Centre took over our practice, there had never been any problem before as the previous owners worked with the Minor Injuries nurses who did bloods, E.C.G s, etc on behalf of the doctors, so the results were always there when I saw the doctor. 

The telephone consultation was late, and the person calling gave only a first name and said they were from Queens. They proceeded to ask if I was okay and did I have any symptoms. I mentioned the things I was concerned about, but they didn't seem to think there were any problems  and said my repeat prescription would be renewed. 

My concern and worry is that as I have a heart problem there had been no check on my heart rate or pulse and as I had not had a blood test prior to this consultation, there was no that it could have been checked if the medication was not affecting any other organs such as my liver or kidneys.

It came to my notice afterwards that the person I was consulting with was a pharmacist not a doctor. 

As our surgery has now, since being acquired by Queens Medical Centre Barnstaple, had opening hours reduced from a 5 day a week practice to a 1 full day and 2 half days ( should be 3 days but they haven't the staff to cover), it means appointments to see a doctor are few and far between.  This I find even more disturbing.