Letter: GP's list surprise
Having been a patient at Oakengates Medical Practice since 1950, I was surprised to see their inclusion in the front page report about failing surgeries.
As the population has grown, so has the practice, and demands have had to be met.
Although the current appointments system can be frustrating and sometimes a specific doctor has no appointment available, to my knowledge nobody with an urgent need has ever been denied medical attention from the duty doctor.
The pressure on Oakengates Medical Practice (and others) is exacerbated by patients failing to keep their appointments. More than 290 negligent people missed their appointments in October. No doubt they are the first to complain when they can't see a doctor when they want one. As charging them for the lost time is not permitted, I suggest that if they miss two appointments they are given a letter warning them that a further failure will result in their removal from the list.
My family continues to have the very best of care and attention from everyone at the practice; doctors, nurses and receptionists alike. I have always, been treated with the utmost courtesy by them and consider the criticism to be unjustified.
I am confident that whatever the Care Quality Commission's findings, they will continue to serve this community as well as they always have.
Pat Smart
Hadley
