"Out of hours service e"

The fact that the GP out of hours service was unavailable early hours of Sunday 10th January until 4 hours after I had tried to phone for help.

I am an experienced Nursing Sister (retired ) and became suddenly unwell. had difficulty in breathing and was alone. I phoned the appropriate GP Wirral out of hours number and was told to hang up and dial 111. The call was answered immediately and I explained the problems I had.

Operator was excellent -went through all necessary questions -and asked if I needed ambulance which I did not (at that time). She told me that in that case she would ask the paramedic to call me and over the next hour I explained to her (efficient Paramedic) that I needed a prescription from a GP so that I did not have to wait for my Drs surgery to open on Mon am.

By this time I have been offered an ambulance and asked to get ready -but then it was cancelled. Paramedic also agreed with me that she could not help --I needed the GP on out of hours! By this time I was sitting on the floor- in shock- gasping for breath and vomiting. about 4 hours from my 1st call- A GP phoned and asked me what I wanted.

Explained the situation -by this time I was crying and begging him to send a GP to help. He said "Best thing you can do is get yourself up to the Hospital" I said" I cannot I am now very ill" and He replied "You have a cough and you able to speak ok" then after asking him again he said "there's a new shift coming on at 8am - someone will come then -

About 40 mins later a GP arrived and was lovely, She told me my BP was extremely high -My Oxygen levels were distressing and was there anyone I could get to take the prescription quickly as I has acute bronchitis. I am in my late 70's.

4 days later I am feeling much better but would like to know why the out of hours GP service at night do not respond to calls for their help! I intend to make a formal complaint against this service -who put all the other services at risk by refusing to come out.