"Issues with GP surgery"

As a patient at my medical centre for almost 23 years I've never been registered anywhere else from I was born so my GP has always been the same man over the years I've slowly watched the service of this practice decline immensely.

My GP is a wonderful man and when you can get to see him he's very genuine, thorough and puts you at ease. Some of the other regular doctors are also excellent but it's always very hard to get to see them. Usually I end up seeing a locum or the 1 doctor in the practice.

This doctor had me in immense agony after going there for 6 weeks saying I think I have a water infection. Safe to say a trip to a&e took place as I ended up so ill.

From then really I slowly noticed a decline the receptionists are rude and I feel refuse to give you an appointment until you tell them what's wrong with you, fair enough if you need a repeat prescription that's all well and good but in my opinion as a patient why do they need to know when they're not qualified enough to treat you anyway.

Then comes the ringing up in the morning for an appointment experience, ive spent the past 3 weeks phoning from 8 am to get an appointment I've rang between 86 and 101 times a morning just to get in the queue it's a joke! Only to be then told we have no appointments left and they close half day today. In the past 2 years I've seen my own doctor 3 times and been to walk in centres and badger services a considerable amount more And why is that you may ask?

Because I can't see my own doctor because I can't get a referral to a specialist my health has took a significant decline which is disgusting. I'm not saying because I've been a patient for almost 23 years I should be first in line for an appointment but considering they know my health problems they do nothing.

Today I had to phone as the receptionist wouldn't allow me an appointment and they sent me to a walk in centre. Here I seen a lovely female nurse who was shocked to find out the extent of my medical conditions saying your only 22 why has your GP not referred you. She then proceeded to phone them on my behalf and said it's gone through to the call centre I explained about there half day surgery and she couldn't understand why this go surgery has spent the past 14 years of my life messing around.

Probably yes I should have changed gp's but in the back of my mind never being at another practice I was worried that a new doctor wouldn't be able to do anything without sending me back for tests I've already had. Now I shall be removing myself from this practice, moving to a new GP.