"Wednesday orthopaedic appointment"

I had excellent medical help both at Buttercross and the smaller old surgery in what is now the car park about three years ago, resulting in two very successful routine operations in Yeovil.

Since then, during the last couple of years the service has deteriorated badly.

It is far too difficult to get an appointment, whether with a doctor or a nurse - or even on the phone.

I have met a brick wall with the admin staff who have become most adept at getting rid of me.

The doctors seem to change all the time and are all locums with no sense of ownership or empathy with patients.

But the purpose of this review is to thank the doctor and nurse I met in this mornings orthopaedic consultancy:

it was his suggestion I attend for cortizone injections - not my request.

He said, basically "you have this problem in your shoulders, I suggest we do this treatment, if that doesn't work we will try the other and, finally, if that doesn't work I will refer you for surgery.

I will give you a review appointment in two weeks time"

This was all a very pleasant surprise; my confidence is restored (for this particular department at any rate!)

Just like a return to the old days and the number of stars, as a patient, I would award has gone right up again!

Thank you.