Testing time to get a GP appointment

SuMMoNEd to my GP surgery to have a routine blood test, I was faced with a notice on the door saying I could not enter the waiting room, but to knock. I knocked, a side window opened and a receptionist stuck her head out and said: ‘What do you want?’ ‘A blood test,’ I replied. ‘Have you an appointment?’ asked the head. ‘Yes! And a letter asking me to come,’ I said, handing it to her. ‘Go and sit on the blue plastic chair in the car park,’ she said, pointing behind me to the seat. Pleased it was not raining, I sat on the chair and after a little while the phlebotomist appeared and took some blood, as the cars drove in and out.

She went back into the surgery through another door. I knocked on the waiting room door again. The side window opened and the receptionist appeared. ‘What do you want?’ she asked. ‘I would like to make an appointment for a telephone consultation with my GP,’ I requested. ‘You have to phone in,’ she mouthed to give it emphasis. ‘But I am here, so that seems a bit silly,’ I countered. ‘You have to phone in,’ she said again and closed the window. I stood there and dialled the surgery on my mobile. The same receptionist answered the phone. ‘Can I help you?’ she said. I repeated my request. ‘Certainly, I will put you on his list, who are you?’ ‘The patient who you were just speaking to at the window,’ I replied, giving her a wave. She looked across at me and said: ‘oh, it’s you!’ I nodded and she gave me an appointment. I wonder how she would react in an emergency.

John Atkins, Greatstone, Kent.