"Absolutely abismal service."

I had the trauma of having the need to see a doctor recently. Trying to book an appointment online to save the indignity of having to talk to the apathetic reception staff I discovered I could consult with a doctor by email. Fantastic!

I filled in the form, explained my symptoms as best I could and off went the email. The following day I received an email response, not a phone call as a the web site suggests. ( it clearly stats that an email will be sent if they are unable to make contact by phone). The email advised that I should make an appointment for a consultation. I can feel my blood pressure rising already.

I take a deep breath and call the surgery to be told that they are not making appointments this week. No appointments? Are you closed? No, was the response, just because of the holidays. I pointed out. Hat trick the school holidays are in fact 6 weeks if this was the issue but I was advised to call back next week.

I confess to having huffed and puffed at this point. 'What about really sick people?' I asked. Apparently emergency appointments were unaffected. I asked for an emergency appointment and was told the doctor would call.

I pointed out that I had been advised in the email to book a face to face appointment not a phone consultation. 'No, you have to speak to the doctor to get an appointment' came the reply.

By now I am seriously considering self medicating my blood pressure.

A doctor calls and I am advised to attend the surgery. I get there to be advised that said doctor had not deemed it appropriate to add this appointment to the calendar.

I wait for well over an hour after being told that because I had left work on the doctors advice they would make an exception and fit me in.

I feel I am over the worst of the experience and remain hopeful that I will resolve my issue.

How wrong I was!!

I explained that I had pain in my throat, not a sore throat. I was advised by the doctor who could well have attended the bedside manner course on a battle field that I was more than likely 'a bit stressed'.

Well I wasn't before I started communicating with these people!!

Any way, my point Is that this doctor REFUSED the consider anything other than a virus. They asked no questioned regarding family history and could not have made it clearer that they really were not interested.

I am beyond appauled by the complete and utter lack of care, compassion, respect, dignaty and everything else that this surgery shows.

And this is far from the first experience of this kind!

Can anyone recommend a good local doctors surgery?