"Awful practice availability, inconsiderate admin."

Following urgent medical situation over the long weekend I used 111 service, who were excellent in assessing situation and helping to access medication, twice, after original pharmacy closed early. Received follow up call from GP a day later requesting sample. Delivered 2 samples to surgery on the same day, in tiny bottles supplied by them.

Today I received a text saying doctor had left a message at reception. I then spent almost an hour in mid afternoon waiting to speak to anyone at the surgery. Yet the message was simply requesting a repeat sample. Surely the reason could have been added to the text, or sent by email, or even called. I see that the online request menu includes a message service but is not offered by this practice. Why not, it would have helped.

Having provided 2 samples a day earlier it was amazing to see that online test result information wasn't available due to inadequate sample size - maybe providing larger sample bottles would avoid that problem.

As a very sick person the last thing I need is having life made more difficult by lousy admin. Which cannot be helpful to clearly overloaded doctors.

After over 35 years with this practice with ever increasing difficulty in getting any appointment I feel I have no option but to look elsewhere.