"No Appointments available - unhelpful..."

I have used this surgery for over 30 years and never had any difficulty getting appointments for myself or my children. Over the last 15 years it has deteriorated.

The mantra is ‘go to the urgent care centre’. I am rarely ill but expect to see a doctor on the day when I do get ill. 2 recent experiences haunt me.

1: I had a cough that turned into a lung infection that was so bad that leaning over the bath caused me pain in my chest. I was on my own. Receptionist told me to go to urgent care centre. I said I could not drive that far in my present condition. She told me to get a relative to drive me or a neighbour.

My son was contacted by my husband who was away on business and he arrived early next morning. When my son arrived he was so shocked he would not even let me walk into the surgery on my own.. 2: I had developed folliculitis due to a shaving cut. Same scenario as above. This time I phoned the online doctor who listened to my symptoms and immediately phoned the surgery on my behalf. The result was a phone call from the surgery doctor who wrote me a prescription to pick up. Stories of septicaemia and death are prevalent in the press and if my experience at Stock Hill is normal then I am not surprised. My last on the day appointment was over a year ago and I worry that when I fall ill next time I will not get treatment This is so different to how it used to be.