Why won’t doctors spend more time?

What’s happened to our doctors surgeries?

Do you remember the days when you would walk in to your local doctors surgery, and the receptionist would know your name.

Then you would go through to your appointment at the given time, and be welcomed by your doctor who knew who you were and your medical history.

I miss those days, days of feeling like my time with the doctor was valued and not just a exercise in getting patients out of the room as quickly as possible, with as little work done as possible. I miss feeling confident that my doctor will offer me the best help available, rather than just a quick fix. In the last six weeks I have been told to make another appointment, just as I started to speak about a second topic while with my doctor.

Luckily I didnt have a broken leg and arm as I would have had to choose one to be seen about first.

I have had locum doctors getting defensive and irate when I have asked if we could do something about the pain in my shoulder, rather than keep taking medication that has not worked.

In a country where communities do not work as hard for each other as in years gone by, I feel that doctors have a responsibility to their patients.

This includes treating each patient as an individual and with respect, it’s a shame it is a topic people are scared of talking about. Mark Wood Ashford the priest of a parish that looks back to the sacrifices of the past and then looks forward to a more just and peaceful world.

If you can’t make the town centre, then you are welcome to attend a Remembrance Day service at 10.30am at either Kingsnorth or Shadoxhurst parish churches. Rev Canon Sheila McLachlan Rector of Kingsnorth with Shadoxhurst