"Changes have made appointments hard to make"

They have recently changed the arrangements for appointments and home visits at the surgery which have made it very difficult for me to get through.

I recently had a chest problem, as I have underlying COPD I was keen to have it checked out. Patients can get to make an appointment if they call between 8: 30 and 9: 00 am, with so many people trying to get through this is not as straightforward as it sounds. Sometimes I find it difficult to get going in the morning, I’m in my 80s and also suffer from arthritis, I struggle to make a call between those times.

Also, now if I want to request a home visit I get put through to a call centre, I’m kept holding the phone for so long I give up. I have not yet managed to get a home visit through this system.

I have resorted to getting into a taxi to get to the surgery just to make an appointment, this is costly both in the effort it takes and financially.

When I do get an appointment I am seen by different doctors who do not know my history. I find it all difficult and frustrating.

I’ve mentioned all of these points to the receptionists but I’m not sure they share this with the doctors. I’m sure I’m not the only person, young or old, struggling to cope with these changes.