"Gradual move towards unfriendly and uncaring GP..."

I was a patient with this surgery from 2001 to September 2018. The service used to be satisfactory and I can remember some of the nursers as being kind and helpful. Unfortunately, the quality of the service I experienced got gradually worse from about 2010 onwards. It started with never being able to see the same doctor more than once (the last time I saw "my" GP was around 2010 - I only once had a brief phone conversation with him since).

During that time there was also a noticeable change in receptionists' attitude when trying to arrange an appointment and calls were increasingly met with what I can only describe as indifference. I only rarely call to get an appointment, and when I do, it is only when I suspect some potentially serious underlying causes.

The last examples I had were the following:

- In late February I was concerned about a complete loss of vision in one eye (my symptoms got dismissed by reception and I was directed to an optician - who then sent me straight to AE who were puzzled by the advice I was given by the receptionist).

- Three weeks ago I got released from hospital after having had a medical emergency. On release I was advised to arrange a follow-up appointment with my GP. A few days later I got a letter from my GP asking me to contact him - which I duly did. The initial response I got when calling reception for an appointment was to call back one week later. It is only after insisting that I eventually got an appointment (not with my GP though).

The most disappointing thing in both instances was the feeling of being - as said at the beginning - met with indifference. I appreciate that there is always some degree of subjectivity in one's perception and I also understand the pressures the service can be under.

Nevertheless, I can't help thinking that there could and should be a more helpful and friendly way to deal with patients that doesn't make one feel like being a nuisance.

Thinking about the last experience mentioned above prompted me to cancel my appointment and to leave the Shirley Health Partnership. I registered with a new GP practice last week. The process was straightforward, reception was helpful and I already had my appointment with my new GP.