Dear LPG

 I know that my story is not unique but I wanted to share it with your readers.

Not long ago I needed to see my doctor.  I went to the surgery first thing one Wednesday morning in October and although it was only 08:20, there was the usual queue of standing patients outside the building on what can only be called a brisk morning. I was waiting there because of a pain in my leg which made the 30 minute wait all the more difficult for me.  By the time I got to the appointment desk there were none available, I did this again on Thursday morning with the same result.  So on two days running I found myself at my surgery being told that an appointment was not available on that day.  On both occasions I was advised to come back to the surgery and try queueing at 8 O’clock the next day or return at 1 o’clock in the afternoon. 

I am 89 years old and was making the appointment because I was ill and in pain, yet I was expected to make numerous trips to the surgery on the off-chance that they could accommodate me some time in the near future.

I found out about the Lewisham GP Extended Access Centre, which offers appointments for people who cannot get seen by their own GP, but was not offered this as an option when I managed to get to the appointments counter.  In the past I have been to the Waldron Centre in desperation where I found the service really good but I have heard that it is about to close. 

I finally got an appointment at the new Lewisham centre where, though there was a delay, I experienced a much more unhurried service but was disappointed not to be offered it without having to tell my GP that the service was available.  

Does one have to know about it before it is available to them or should the GP receptionist be letting us know that it exists?

PB, Lewisham.