Dear LPG,

I just want to remind your readers that the GP extended service is available in the event that patients cannot get an appointment with their own doctor for whatever reason. 

This is a surgery that has its venue in Lewisham Hospital on the ground floor very near to the hospital shop, and which is there for those patients that cannot get an appointment on the day that they would like.  The last time that I arranged an appointment there it was because I needed to see a doctor and found the only practical day for me was a Saturday, but it could just as easily have been that age-old complaint, the doctor cannot fit you in for an appointment for days.

My mother chose ten o’clock in the evening to water her garden, which resulted in a nasty fall recently and we went straight to Lewisham hospital’s A&E department where all her injuries were assessed and dealt with, but a week later she was still feeling exceptionally achy and wanted to see if anything else could be done.  She went back to her surgery and joined the queue at eight in the morning, only to be told that they could not accommodate her on the day and that she should return or phone the next morning. 

What really upset me is that the alternative GP service was not offered to her; something that I was assured that all patients would be reminded of if they found themselves in this position.  I went back to the GP practise on her behalf later that day and was told exactly the same thing although once I reminded the receptionist about extended access, an appointment was arranged within minutes.

I challenged the receptionist and she told me that they are instructed to remind patients of the option after which I pointed out that I got that appointment because I reminded her that the extended service is available. 

While I accept that those receptionists work under extreme pressure, I feel it exceedingly unfair and unacceptable that the alternative service is not offered. 

So I would like to take this opportunity to remind readers that they have the right to be offered this option and if it is not offered by the receptionist, they should be highlighting their entitlement to be offered the option+. 

MT, Catford

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