"Unfair Treatment"

I attended the Gp surgery for an appointment at 9.15am. I got there at 9.24. There was a queue of patients and could not check in until it was my turn.

The reason for my delay was due to a road incident that had resulted in the bus 99 being diverted and a number of roads closed. There was a white lady in front of me who reported that she had an appointment at 9.10am and had been late due to the traffic. The receptionist said that was fine and she could be seen. When it got to my turn she insisted that I was too late and the appointment qould be written down as "DNA". I tried to ask why the lady in front of me had been allowed to have her appointment and yet I was not afforded the same treatment.

The GP surgery needs to consider that if patients have to wait in a queue before being checked in, it is unfair to then make them down as being late. I tried to explain to the receptionist that I had been waiting in the queue and also about the road closures but she became very defensive. I asked to speak to the practice manager so I could make a complaint as I had been waiting for this Gp appointment for a long period. She reported that she was the one in charge as the practice manager was on holiday and her word was final. I have now been rebooked for a telephone consultation rather than an appointment to see the GP in over a weeks time which is unfair given the circumstances and makes me wonder if saying that I wpuld make a xomplaint about my unfair treatment has subsequently resulted in me being given an appointment that is even further back. Given the urgency of my health I had no choice but to attend A&E instead which could have been avoided. The surgery's receptionists needs to consider the importance of treating people fairly and with compassion. You never know what someone is going through and regardless of race, faith or ethnicity, everyone should be treated fairly and with respect.