"Service getting worse day by day"

I have been with North Shore Surgery for nearly 25 years and up to Covid, had absolutely no problems with the service and care I got from the surgery.

Following Covid things have changed dramatically to the extent that I am beginning to not trust them or have faith in the care I am recieving from them.

Just a few examples of things that have happened, during august last year I was diagnosed with terminal bowel cancer, during November I had an appointment where my future care was discussed and I was asked if I wished to be referred to the local trinity hospice which I did. I heard nothing from Trinity so checked in the NHS App during March this year and discovered that infact I had not been referred. I made an appointment with my GP to discuss this, during the discussion it was confirmed that I had not been referred. I insisted that I be referred immediately to Trinity, but the GP was reluctant to do. She was a very junior under training GP who had to speak with a senior GP. I insisted that she speak with her supervisor then and confirm that I was referred before I left, which she did reluctantly.

Two days later Trinity contacted me and organised a consultation with one of the senior nurses at the hospice. During this visit I was asked about my medication and if I had any problems, I was having so minor side effects with itchy skin and minor hallucinations.

It was suggested that my medication be adjusted to another type to reduce the side effects.

My appointment was actually on Easter Monday, and the Trinity nurse advised me to check on the status on my new prescription with the surgery on the Wednesday, when I did check on the Wednesday, the receptionist informed me that the prescription had not be approved.

I had to contact Trinity and ask them to help.

After contacting the surgery my prescription was issued promptly.

On Thursday last week I submitted a request for my repeat prescription, all the drugs I require where in the list, I had only discussed my requirements the Friday before with the Surgery Pharmacist during a telephone consultation.

As a check I used the NHS App to check the progress of my prescription on Saturday to find that my request for painkillers has been rejected by a GP. The other drugs have all been approved. I have not been contacted about this happing.

Over the period since my diagnosis I have seen SIX different doctors, mostly trainees.

My concerns with the surgery are

1/ I was informed I would be referred to Trinity Hospice. I was not

2/ I was forced to insist they refer me to Trinity.

3/ When a request for modification of my prescription was made by Trinity, it took a long time to be processed.

4/ My first request for repeat prescriptions, the most important item has been rejected, even though my prescriptions had been discussed a few days before with no problems. Why denied and why not inform me?

5/ is it good practice to see so many trainee Doctors, SEVEN since August 2024