How has it become so difficult to see your GP?

MY HUSBAND was cut off after an hour hanging on the phone to the GP, starting at number 19 in the queue. The next day I went to reception at the surgery and asked to make an appointment for him. I was told: ‘No, you have to phone up.’ When I told the receptionist what had happened when he had tried that, she replied: ‘Oh, that’s not bad. There were 53 in the queue the other day!’

F. TATE, Darlington, Co. Durham.

I PHONE the GP surgery and am told I’m number 23 in the queue. So I drive down to the surgery. The receptionist says she can’t give me an appointment. But you have a computer in front of you, I point out. She tells me I have to go online and fill out an e-consult form.

When I reply that I don’t do tech stuff, she advises me to phone the helpline for advice on how to fill in the online form. I give up.

Name supplied, Christchurch, Dorset.

SUFFERING with a painful heel, I limped into my GP surgery in hope, rather than expectation. I was not surprised to be told I couldn’t have an appointment, but not for the usual reason. The computer system was down, so no patients could be seen. What if I was really poorly, I asked. Oh, you’d have to go to the hospital or a walk-in centre, I was told. Why couldn’t my details, symptoms and treatment have been written down, to be uploaded when the computer was back in operation? It seems there is a shortage of common sense.

DON GREEN, Cleveleys, Lancs.

MY DOCTORS’ practice has moved to a shiny, new medical centre. I was very impressed until my GP needed to print information for me. The doctors have to walk 25m back and forth to a print room. Talk about wasting their valuable time.

EDDIE HOLMES, Cheltenham, Glos.