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Everyone is aware that GPs are overstretched

Posted By killieboy

"Everyone is aware that GPs are overstretched"

About: Crosshouse Hospital / Intensive Care Unit General practices in Ayrshire & Arran University Hospital Ayr / General Surgery University Hospital Ayr / Neurology

(as a carer),

My wife has (eventually) been diagnosed with Myasthenia Gravis. We have experienced excellent care and professionalism in some areas and complete incompetence in others, however in my opinion the main issue within the health service is General Practice. To my knowledge, as several of the GPs at the surgery work part time, the total adds up to only two full time doctors.

My wife attended her GP surgery in March with a dry mouth and difficulty swallowing, her Doctor took blood tests and from the results diagnosed Syogrens. We went along with this diagnosis and took the appropriate medication. At the beginning of June my wife became very ill, couldn’t breathe talk or swallow and ended up in ICU at Crosshouse hospital. Thankfully a consultant reviewed the original blood tests and informed us that the GP had misdiagnosed as Syogrens.

If my wife’s condition had been correctly diagnosed in the first instance a simple course of medication could have worked. Instead, my wife spent five months in hospital and nearly died three times.

Everyone within the NHS is aware that GP’s are over-stretched but no one will put their head above the parapet and get something done about it. As far as I am aware the number of part time GP’s may reach 90% within a few years, this is unsustainable. Everyone has stories about trying to see their GP or being unable to get past reception blocking access to a qualified doctor, but in our experience it’s now costing lives.

Almost all the patients we met in the five months had similar stories regarding their GP surgeries, something has to be done.

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Responses

Response from Danielle McNaught, Business Manager, Primary and Urgent Care, NHS Ayrshire & Arran 2 days ago
Danielle McNaught
Business Manager, Primary and Urgent Care,
NHS Ayrshire & Arran

Submitted on 12/11/2025 at 14:22
Published on Care Opinion at 14:54

Dear killieboy

Thank you for taking the time to share your experience. I would like to begin by offering my sincere apologies for the distress and anxiety that you and your wife have endured throughout her illness and hospitalisation. It is clear from your account that this has been an incredibly difficult journey, and I am truly sorry for the impact this has had on your family.

We recognise the seriousness of the concerns you have raised, particularly regarding the initial diagnosis and the challenges you faced in accessing timely care. Whilst we cannot comment on individual cases in a public forum, we would encourage you to contact us directly if you would be willing to share more details. This would allow us to look into the matter more thoroughly and ensure your feedback is shared appropriately with the relevant GP practice. To do this, please can you send an email to HSCPAdmin@east-ayrshire.gov.uk (marked for the attention of Primary Care with the title of your Care Opinion post) providing your wife's details and the name of the GP Practice she is registered with. If you wish to remain anonymous, we can feed back your comments to the GP Practice for their awareness and learning.

Your story also highlights broader issues within General Practice that we are acutely aware of. Across the country, GP services are under significant strain. The sector is facing a combination of longstanding underfunding, a growing and increasingly complex patient population, and a workforce that has been deeply affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Many practices are operating with fewer full-time GPs, and recruitment and retention remain ongoing challenges.

Despite these pressures, our teams are committed to delivering safe, effective, and compassionate care. However, we acknowledge that the system is not always able to meet expectations, and for that, we are truly sorry.

We are grateful for your feedback, which helps us reflect on where improvements are needed. Please be assured that your concerns have been heard and will be shared with the appropriate teams.

Kind regards

Danielle

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