"untrained staff who do not do what they say"

For the last few weeks I have struggled with my asthma, as a result I think from a chest infection.

This has on occasion kept me awake at night, woken me up and left me on two occasions having a small asthma attack, one at work and one at home.

I do not like to bother the Drs surgery as I know there is little can be done so I continued in the hope I would naturally fight this and get better.

Whilst my chest is less painful, I am struggling to sleep and get breath at times and experiencing pain when I move my arms in certain directions, or just stretch in the back of my shoulders and middle back, and chest.

I called the NHS helpline for advice on Thursday 3rd January and explained the above and they told me to book an appointment as soon as possible with my GP.

Therein lies the issue.

On Friday/Monday and today at both 8am and 1pm I have tried for no less than 54 minutes to get through for an appointment. No answer to my calls on Friday or Monday and then this morning my call answered after 11 minutes to be hung up on!.

So after one last try this afternoon, I drove up to the surgery.

The two receptionists that were on informed me there were no appointments, that they were all booked up.

They told me to come in tomorrow morning, I explained I am in Leicester tomorrow and Thursday.

I said I was struggling to breath and sleep, and was informed unless its an emergency they are all booked up…. Not sure why not being able to breathe is not classed as an emergency.

At this point utter frustration and anger took over and I told them to forget it and left the surgery.

Another 11 minutes on the phone, and go though to a very helpful lady who actually took the time to check my records, listen to my symptoms and apologised for the issue, explaining that the ladies on reception should maybe have asked some further questions.

She then sent a note through to the Dr.

I have also just called the NHS line once more, they are mortified that an asthmatic man, with problems breathing and subsequently sleeping because of this was turned away with no hope of an appointment.