"Doctors lovely but everything else is dreadful"

I've been with the Thorndike for about 9 years.

The appointment system is rubbish.

You have to telephone at 0815 to get a same day appointment.

I have to start phoning at 0810 because sometimes they start answering before 0815.

It takes me an average of 40 calls to get through to the phone line.

All I think about it how difficult it must be for older patients to get through.

The pre-bookable appointments are ridiculously far into the future that its almost a complete waste of time having one.

The old appointment system of having to queue up outside from 0730 was just as appalling.

Being sick or infirm and having to stand outside in the freezing cold in the hope that you would get an appointment was inhumane.

I suggested that they put plastic chairs out for people unable to stand.

I also suggested they put a warm drinks machine in to help with the cold. Both ignored.

Some doctors are lovely but I have found some locums to be unhelpful and i felt like i had bothered them.

The reception staff are mostly stereotypes of doctor's receptionists - rude, brusque, miserable, filled with self importance.

I totally miss my old surgery at Charing which was absolutely amazing compared to the Thorndike.

Im just about to write a complaint about an incident which has happened to me this week at the Thorndike.

I've never had to complain to a doctors surgery before.

I know the NHS is on its knees but it doesn't excuse shoddy attitudes and mistakes.