Waiting times look healthier
Waiting times to see GPs in the Newark area have improved dramatically since the Advertiser carried out checks last year.
Figures compiled by the health service, however, still fail to highlight problem areas.
The blackspot revealed by our latest survey is the Fountain Medical Centre, Newark.
The surgery’s patients have complained to the Advertiser that they have to wait up to four weeks for a routine appointment.
When a reporter called, she was offered one in 15 days.
Nottinghamshire Primary Care Trust, however, claims that from October 2006 to April 2007 the longest a patient at any of its surgeries had to wait for the first available routine appointment was two days, in line with government targets.
The figures, which are the most recent available, were obtained by the Advertiser under the Freedom of Information Act.
A patient at the Fountain said she was originally told she would have to wait four weeks for an appointment.
She offered to see any doctor at any time.
The woman said she telephoned again to ask if there was anything sooner and was told to ring the next day as more appointments would be released.
She was then offered one in three days.
She said: “It seemed ridiculous. If I had to wait for four weeks, I would either be better by then or have to ask for an emergency appointment and feel guilty for taking it from someone who might need it more.”
Referring to his last three routine appointments, another patient said he had to wait almost four weeks once, and about three weeks on two occasions.
He said he had not asked to see a particular doctor, and had, in fact, seen three different ones.
A patient at Lombard Street surgery, Newark, said: “It is extremely hard to get through on the phone. Quite often I would try ringing from 8.30am but it is constantly engaged.
“I started to go to the surgery and wait for the doors to open.”
She said in the past she was told she would have to wait nine days to see a doctor.
“I find the whole situation frustrating. It’s disgusting,” she said.
