GPS Healthcare - Park Surgery

I have ongoing mental health problems making sleeping difficult. The medication prescribed makes it difficult for me to function the day after taking it, causing problems for me looking after my family and working. I have continuously visited my GP and have desperately asked for counselling services but I am told that the waiting list is very long. I feel very trapped on medication and want alternative options.

The surgery has been closed for ages making access difficult. We are being sent to other GPS surgery's which are not always convenient due to locality, transport and working full time.

They are good but they have very long waiting times.

I ordered a repeat prescription and submitted online as usual. I expected to go to the pharmacy a few days later to pick up my items. However I received a text from GP Surgery stating the following :

Dear xxxxx,

You have requested a medication(s) that is available over the counter. We now ask that patients (or family) purchase these items over the counter.

Please see the below link for information-

https://www.birminghamandsolihullccg.nhs.uk/your-health/over-the-counter-medicines

Thanks, [Dr Name]
GPS Healthcare

There was no reference as to which of my 2 medications it referred to, no explanation why after over 4 years the situation has changed and the link they provide doesn't work. I think it is an irresponsible response from GPS Healthcare and as it is impossible to get through to them on the phone without taking half a day annual leave from my job (as an NHS employee) to wait to be answered I have guessed which one it refers to prior to collection. I cannot believe GPS Healthcare think this is an appropriate response to the only way to order repeat prescriptions (ie online). They ought to be ashamed of themselves.

Registered with the surgery for a year but haven't had any contact.
No reminder for flu injection or covid vaccines.

Not seen a doctor and don't really bother unless I am seriously ill.
Lost interest in seeing the doctors or contacting them for an appt as you know you can't get one. I go for blood test every 18 months which they provide appointments for and inform me about through letter.

Concern over the total turnover of GP's at our Park Surgery practice.
Established doctors have long standing relationships with patients but with new, young doctors plus the remote contact caused by the pandemic, these relationships have disappeared. That means patients do not feel comfortable sharing much needed information over issues caused by this change.
Pandemic distancing of appointments needs to change as soon as possible.

Very short wait on telephone, kind and caring receptionists
Prompt appointments with GP when necessary.

Overall the service is good but the receptionist are not friendly. They are always busy with their own business and never answer the phone.

My 93 year old Mother who suffered with Non Hodgkins Lymphoma was not well (she was not ill enough to call 999). I called Park Surgery to ask for a Doctor or a District Nurse to come and assess her. Having spoken with a GP I was promised a Nurse would come that afternoon or no later than the next day. No Nurse came. My Mum collapsed a few days later and was admitted into hospital. She died a week later. If a District Nurse had come perhaps this could have been prevented and my Mum would have died in a more comfortable way. My main concern is the GP should have done a house call not palmed this off on the District Nurses and I don't believe he asked for this service. The other thing was he kept calling me "love" - not very professional. The outcome was inevitable but for my Mum to collapse was awful just because a GP could not be bothered to either come himself or make a phone call or e-mail to book a District Nurse. I do not blame the District Nurses I think GPs have a duty of care but clearly this is not the case anymore. No wonder the ambulance services and hospitals are full to capacity - if GPs did their job the hospitals would not be so busy. My surgery is Monkspath and this is even worse as you can't get an appointment and wait hours on the phone only to be told they are fully booked but if you queue at 8 a.m. at the Reception you may be able to get one. I dread to think if any of my family are taken ill what the consequences will be.