"St. Austell Healthcare beware, very little..."

After 5 nights and 4 days of abdominal pain, severe bloating and feeling nauseous I was delighted to actually get through to St. Austell Healthcare on the 9th attempt this morning from work about an hour and a half after my first attempted call. To be offered an urgent appointment at Wheal Northey was unbelievable so off from work I left early only to discover I have an appointment with a nurse not a GP, as I specifically requested. This has happened several times now when I have specifically asked to see a GP for me and my daughter. When I expressed my frustration and disappointment about this to said nurse, in a respectful manner acknowledging her very many qualifications, but just saying that they weren’t a GP which is who I had asked to see, her attitude became rude and off putting. Instead of engaging with me and showing some empathy she asked me sarcastically if I didn’t want to see her. I said I was in pain and discomfort and I just wanted to see a doctor when she then asked me sneering if I did want to see her. It was so uncomfortable I had to say no and walk out. She didn’t make me feel comfortable about doing a physical examination. I made a complaint to reception and told them I would go to A&E if I had to. I was upset and angry and the receptionists were very helpful and caring. I was told a GP would call me back this evening. I received a call about an hour later from a receptionist on behalf of the duty GP whose message to me was that I had been assigned an appropriate healthcare professional and my choice was to be put on my GP’s list for a callback in 5 days. I asked what the other option was to the choice and I was told that I had said at reception earlier I would go to A&E so that was my other choice! I was furious. To be fair the receptionist was only delivering the doctor’s message to me and was polite but I am left feeling disrespected and disappointed by the complete lack of care shown to me by clinical staff today quite apart from it being completely patronising too. I said to the receptionist that St. Austell Healthcare is a disgrace. I have had positive and helpful appointments with two doctors previously but overall you just get the feeling that as a practice they’re not professional, too many clinical staff just don’t seem to want to see you or care. If I want to see a GP I should be able to. It’s not difficult. So tonight I’m still feeling lousy and wondering if I should go to A&E which I don’t really feel is appropriate but the way I was treated today makes me realise why A&E is so busy when patients can’t get appointments with their GPs! I am also looking for another GP for me and my family. Too stressful and upsetting trying to access a GP when you’re already feeling bad and worried. Seems like they can’t cope with the number of patients they have as I’ve had the number of patients they’ve got used as an excuse for poor service previously but that’s not the patients choice. Do not recommend SAHC!