"Wish we could be seen by GP"

Unable to contact rheumatology department by telephone after trying on several different days and occasions. Nobody bothered phoning back after leaving messages on machine saying that it was urgent for at least 24 hours. Was told that they were short staffed when I complained Our GP is very sympathetic and local to our home but he has explained that we can't see him and have to do everything at the hospital. We find this very unfair and inconvenient as its a car journey away and appointments are always at awkward times. Nurses have said that they will give us appointments and then we hear nothing so we have to contact them again to make all appointments. I trust my local GP but have zero trust in the hospital, it makes me feel very insecure and unhappy that I have to deal with them without any other choice. I am very unsatisfied.