"Long telephone answering times"

Following the merger of the three surgeries last year, the ability to get an appointment has decreased.

Last night I phoned for an appointment (12 mins to get through) to be told that bookings are being taken at the end of September 19, and it is currently mid August.

This morning feeling worse,I phoned dead on the dot of 8.00.

Initially the phone line told me that I had dialled the wrong number, and then on phoning back on the same number I was told the lines are full.

Constantly redialling for the next 6 mins, eventually allowed me to join the queue at no 8.

I then proceeded to position no 1 where I was held for some 20 mins.

At this point the phone was answered, and a telephone triage appointment arranged.

Once therefore I managed to get past the point of the telephone pinch point matters have improved, however holding for some half an hour on the phone is not satisfactory especially when not feeling well.