"Will I ever be able to get an appointment with my GP?"

Having moved house I had to change my surgery, Previously I have never had a a reason to be unhappy or complain about the care I have received form my two previous GP surgeries, so I was expecting the same kind of care from the new surgery.

Since moving I have never visited the surgery despite trying to book appointments. The phone is more or less constantly engaged during the morning when you are supposed to phone for same day appointments. If you do get through to the automated line you are kept on hold until your call is “hung up” yes unbelievably they disconnect the call. This has happened numerous times, not just on personal calls but also through work as I manage a local pharmacy and regrettably have to call from time to time.

Today after suffering a few days from sciatica pain I decided I needed to see a doctor as I couldn’t manage the pain any longer. I Started to call as 8am and finally got through at 11. 45 to be told all appointments were taken and I could try again tomorrow, I explained my phone experience and was told “well we are a very busy surgery” which I understand but that needs managing. The same excuse has been used for a couple of years. I said Ill have to go to the walk in centre then to which the response was “good”.

I know first had that the NHS is stretched, I know that the surgery is busy, but there is a serious problem here that other surgeries are able to manage in a better way. Obviously I will have to change surgeries again as I need a GP.

In the last 6 months I have had two miscarriages and was also unable to make an appointment to see a doctor or nurse. I wasn’t even able to get through on the phone to cancel my midwife appointment.