"Not a happy Customer"

I have had a few negative experiences at the surgery but haven't commented until now.

I have been with this surgery all my life so have seen so many changes so now I feel constructive feedback is vital for the service they provide to the customers.

I was taken ill with breathing difficulties back in February 18. I could not get an appointment for love or money. In the end I felt felt soooooo ill I called the surgery crying! I was seen by a doctor later that day, I just had to sit and wait until I could be seen...the doctor basically didn't do a lot (couldn't be bothered attitude) and sent me home with some more steroid tablets & ventolin inhalers. Whilst there I gave him a letter I had been given by another professional informing my GP's to carry out a proper clinical assessment on my breathing and querying COPD which he glanced at and shoved it to the side. I continued feeling ill, my breathing was so bad half the time I couldn't even walk to the kitchen! Anyway....my breathing just would not improve sooooo I started trying to get an appointment again...and yes you guessed it!! No appointments even if I managed to ring bang on 8am. I got so bad

I rang the surgery crying again. There were no appointments but As I have "asthma" the lovely receptionist got me in with the asthma nurse. By now I didn't care as long as I could see someone. Outcome of appointment was new inhaler which I had to pick up next day!! As for the letter I gave doctor she said it wasn't on the system?? Still, being the optimist I struggled home and carried on pumping myself with my ventolin inhaler (which by the way was doing nothing) Had a couple more appointments with asthma nurse, inhaler changes etc and continued feeling so called for an emergency appointment once again. I got an appointment at the downend surgery who willow merged with and the appointment was with a student. Well, she was so thorough, supportive and best of all she listened to me. She spent 30 mins with me going over the history of this bout of breathing difficulties, medication, blood pressure etc etc. Then the Doctor overseeing the student came in, they discussed my case, he asked me more questions and asked why I hadn't already been sent for a CT scan? He told me he would arrange this to happen. I went for CT Scan at the hospital so now felt I was being listened to. At another appointment with asthma nurse (willow surgery-pre booked) a couple of days later I explained what happened at downend surgery in which she commented "that's a long way round" listened to my chest etc and decided she wanted me to see a consultant at southmead and to expect a call from them in the next few days.

Anyway after all that suffering they have now diagnosed COPD. Upon arrival at southmead I was put straight onto a nebuliser, given antibiotics, steroids and a nebuliser to take home. The consultant told my daughter I had been severely let down by my GP surgery! I think that says it all really!