"Security gone bananas "

I have a high regard for the nurses and doctors who are at Shoreham Street surgery. They are knowledgeable and give useful referrals when needed.

However, the admin procedures and staff of late leave a lot to be desired. Recently a buzzer system was put in to gain access to the surgery, where you have to justify entry over an intercom. Before a person could just walk in - I can perhaps understand that some people might just come in who would cause a problem. However, when I gave my name and date of birth, showing that I was a legitimate patient - and the receptionist acknowledged as much - I still was not allowed in. It was obvious I was not there to create a problem.

Furthermore, to make matters worse, I could mostly not understand the receptionist over the intercom. Even though she had my ID, she would not let me in so I could understand what she was saying. I was trying to schedule an appointment but could not make out what she was saying. While some security measures may have become necessary, are they meant to keep legitimate patients standing outside trying to communicate to a squawk box? I was finally able to hear that she was saying I should call for an appointment, which takes up to a half hour of waiting, though I was right there and could schedule it on the spot. This is not how a real patient should be treated, and it needs to stop.