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"There doesn't seem to be any light at the end of the tunnel"

About: Harmoni / NHS 111 Hillingdon Hospital / Accident and emergency NHS England London

(as the patient),

I have various health conditions and developed a bad cough (I was much later informed I had acute viral bronchitis) and had to go to A&E on a Friday. I was given antibiotics and told I needed to see my GP as the doctor could not address all my issues at A&E. I informed the doctor that I had an appointment in a couple of weeks but was advised to make an emergency appointment as the issue could be 'significant'. When a patient is feeling poorly and vulnerable and a medical professional tells them that issues could be 'significant' this can be extremely worrying. I still felt poorly on Monday when I called to make an emergency appointment and was seemingly assessed by the receptionist who decided that there was no emergency and I did not need an appointment. I insisted and the lady said she would speak to the GP and get back to me. She called later and said the doctor without speaking to me or hearing my concerns concurred and that I could not get an emergency appointment. I called 111, was assessed and advised that I needed to see my GP within 6 hours. Called the surgery and was advised that if I really wanted to be seen I should try a walk in clinic. I went to the walk in clinic and was seen by a nurse who said she was really sorry but she was not a GP and I needed to be seen by my GP. A&E, 111 and the Walk in Clinic said they would contact my GP. When I got an appointment a week later, the doctor seemed angry, almost threatening and I left feeling worse for having gone there. I decided to change GPs and looked at GP ratings NHS Choices online and discovered that most surgeries had a red exclamation point next to them stating how far amongst the worst they were - the feedback I read seemed dreadful across the board. If NHS Choices is publishing these stats, why is something not being done? They make out as though we should be grateful for what we get and portray this as a 'free' service. This is not 'free' as I pay my taxes and am entitled to a decent service.

I changed GPs to what seemed the best of a dismal bunch and regret to say that three months on, my new GP still does not have my records and says she cannot address my ongoing medical issues until she gets access to them. I have been advised to call every week to see if they have received my records or not. At best I can say at least I am getting repeat prescriptions (my meds should have been reviewed two months ago). I am in constant pain and am extremely frustrated and there doesn't seem to be any light at the end of the tunnel.

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