"The practice is going downhill rapidly"

I have been with the practice for 30 years and until recently have never said a negative thing about it.

My family always received excellent care.

Unfortunately things have changed.

If you can get to see the doctors they are usually helpful, although a tick box mentality is becoming evident.

My 95 year old mother developed a sudden loss of speech and mobility last weekend but checked out as all systems fine.

We were referred back to the Gp and I requested a home visit Monday.

A doctor phoned the land line (not my mobile as main carer) and fortunately my sister was there.

My mother could not have spoken.

He had seen the A & E reports so decided no need for a visit as the machines and tests said she was OK.

However, all in close contact with her knew this was far from the case.

She had developed an expressive dysphasia and significantly impaired mobility overnight.

I was horrified.

I am at this moment hanging on to the surgery line (have been for the last 25 minutes) so I can ask the receptionist to ask the doctor to ring me on my mobile to discuss!

If in the unlikely event that I get through to surgery and I ever manage to get to speak to the holy grail - I shall again request a home visit.

What has happened to clinical skills?

Its all about arranging systems that suit service providers but don't work for patients.

It used to be such a wonderful practice.....