Impossible to get even a telephone apt
Sadly it has recently been impossible to get even a telephone appointment at this GP practice. Working as a clinician in the NHS myself, I know how stretched and pressured our services are. However, my job also means it’s almost impossible for me to be able to phone the surgery at 8am each morning to book an appointment, especially as you’re on hold in a queue for almost 30 minutes. The surgery are offering no alternative way of obtaining an appointment as they’ve removed access to online bookings. When I’ve communicated this to the receptionist I’m met with very little compassion and no solution. When I was fortunate to book a telephone appointment at the start of the year I was told that I needed to be available all day to answer my phone. Again, having patients of my own meant that this was again impossible. It’s so frustrating and ultimately puts me off even trying to phone for an appointment, which will subsequently impact my health. It’s unfair and something needs to change.