Janet Smith-Wightman

Oct 30, 2023

Disgraceful

Husband tripped last evening but did not fall. However he thinks he pulled a muscle in his leg but his calf has swollen to double the size, is hard to the touch and he can hardly walk with pain. Despite ibuprofen and paracetamol,pain is worse today. Rang surgery today. After listening to 2 minutes of info which is repetitive and warning people not to be aggressive or abusive etc etc, then came a message 'your call is important to us, please hold blah blah blah. This message was repeated every 12 seconds, along with the irritating 'music' and 'we are experiencing a high level of call'. Was not told what number in the queue. Have they stopped telling you now? Husband got fed up with waiting, I dropped him up to Mudge Way surgery. Waiting rooms empty, neither receptionist was busy. Husband was told he could not see a doctor, there was no mention of a doctor giving him a call back, and he should go to Cumberland or A&E in case he had broken his leg! Receptionist did not even ask his name or dob. He is 80. He left in disgust. What on earth is going on here? No wonder Cumberland and A&E are so crowded when you cannot even talk to your GP let alone see one. Since when have receptionists been given powers to diagnose?