"Appointments"

When we first moved to rainworth, I raved about this GP surgery but over the last year it has been impossible to get an appointment. I understand appointments are limited and you can get an online booked appointment for reviews or bloods yes but if you are ill there is no chance. I have been to primary care more than 5 times with myself, my son and my husband because we ring to be told there are no appointments. My husband ended up with 111 sending an ambulance once we had tried on 3 separate mornings to get him seen by a gp to be told call back tomorrow.

Last time I rang for my son I was told only 111 slots available so rang 111 got a referral to be told 111 slots are gone go to primary care. I understand that this is due to there only being so many appointments each day but it has started to feel like what is the point in calling at all.

Todays interaction with the reception left me in tears (not the usual as reception staff are usually lovely). I rang 111 last night and was told by the Dr who rang me back that a gp needs to see me within 24 hours(a burst insect bite and I was worried about the wound). A 111 referral was sent to the gp and I was ecstatic to get through on the phone this morning at 8am only to be told that a gp wouldn't see this type of thing, they are a non urgent service and I needed to go to primary care to be seen there, this I do not understand as primary care is a GP service where you see a GP so why couldn't I see my gp when I had played by the rules and checked my symptoms and got a 111 referral first.

I honestly have received some wonderful care from the doctors at this surgery and most of the receptionist are caring and wonderful however every time me or my children start to become unwell I am filled with dread at making that call when I know ultimately it will be a long wait with an ill child in a primary care waiting room.