"Sympathetic and supportive treatment"

This was a delayed appointment owing to the Covid-19 contagion. My preferred centre is Stafford but, as that is currently unavailable, I was invited to travel to Penkridge Medical Practice and did so by train (the journey time is 5/6 minutes), justified as "essential" by medical needs. The treatment was provided by the same clinician as on two previous occasions and with the usual reassurances.

One small issue occurred with the reception staff of the Medical Practice one of whose members instructed me to wait outside the building as part of the centre's precautions against virus transmission. The weather on the day I attended was replete with heavy downpours and I asked if there was any shelter if one occurred. At first I was told none was provided but, on reflection, this was changed to allowing admission in these circumstances to a foyer guarded by a locked door. Fortunately the Health Harmonie representative appeared to accompany me into the building on schedule and before the next deluge. I'm surprised the practice has not taken inclement weather into account in requiring patients to wait outside the building.