‘Mission impossible’ to get GP appointment in South Holland according to frustrated patients
It’s ‘mission impossible’ to get a doctors appointment in South Holland say locals.
Concerns were raised about the difficulties experienced by patients in getting a face-to-face appointment with their GP along with cramped surgeries by members of South Holland District Council at a recent Performance Monitoring Panel meeting.
Lincolnshire Integrated Care Board, which commissions health services, says more patients can book appointments following a significant investment and says it is working on a recovery plan.
But readers of this website agree with the damning verdict of councillors after we asked for your experiences.
Mandy Bailey said: “Part of the problem is some people think that only a doctor will do and won't take an appointment with a nurse, paramedic or physio.
“I was in Peterborough A&E recently. There were people in there that could have been seen by a chemist, demanding to see a doctor not a nurse, then had the cheek to moan because they had to wait for more urgent patients to be seen first. The NHS is doing the best they can with what they've got.”
Jane Robinson said that she doesn’t bother any more as it’s ‘mission impossible’.
Rob Dent said: “I rang on Monday at 9am and I was 17 in line and by the time I got through I was told there no more appointments available and that I should ring 101 and go to A&E to see the doctor/nurse there.”
Greg Weedon feels continuity of care is sadly lacking within his surgery.
He said: “My doctor has no idea of my medical conditions and I've now gone private for some of the more serious problems.”
While Val Geary said: “You get told no more appointments but the waiting room is never full makes you wonder how many doctors actually work five days a week.”
But it’s not all bad news for one local surgery.
Gary De-Vanche said: “I’ve actually found Beechfield to be great with getting an appointment. The problem for me has been trying to get through to secondary care.”
