"My Local Surgery and Local Hospital"

I have been a patient at my local  Surgery since 1973 and have observed the changes taking place as a patient and as a carer for my disabled wife. The changes that have taken place have indicated weakening services, not from the fault of the surgery, but of increased populations, including a large influx of overseas immigrants. Particularly over the past five years the Staff lead by  a very able Practice Manager and the employment of flexible support staff the practice has overcome the difficulties of some 10, 500 patient loading and meeting the demands of the large influx of Nepalese and other ethnic, some non English Speaking people. This has been achieved by embracing all the very latest on-line techniques for making appointments, ordering repeat prescriptions and the use of specialist nurses to triage patients for onward care of a Doctor or to deal with those ailments that are within their area of expertise. I have not had to wait for more than a week to see a Doctor.

My experience with Frimley Park Hospital is one of over worked Nurses and Doctors who, in spite of their obvious plight, continue to care, but are unable to give the higher standard of care due to nursing shortages. These teams are doing there bit against the odds. It is now up to Government to recognise their financial commitment and even raise the tax by a penny in the pound exclusively for that purpose. Don't knock the dedicated such as we have experienced here. There are many moaners who have no concept of the mountains these medics climb to look after them. We do need more permanent GPs who maintain the old standards of personal care and understanding of individual patients. Don't let us develop the conveyor Belt method we are in danger of running into.