It's a real pain to see a GP

At 8.30am on the dot I start to ring the doctors' surgery. Constant dialling with auto dial until 8.50am; finally rings out, hurrah. Wait, you are now in a queue.

9am, an answer. I ask: "Please may my wife have an appointment?"

"What is wrong with her?"

"She has a swollen throat, had it for a week, now getting worse."

"No appointments."

"I thought you kept a few appointments for emergencies. She can hardly swallow, only liquids."

"All gone."

"How come? I started ringing at 8.30am."

"Sorry, none left, will place you on the triage list."

10.15am, doctor rings.

"Can I speak to your wife?"

"That's one of the difficulties doctor, she can barely speak."

"I have to speak to her."

Wife speaks to doctor, manages to tell him she is allergic to penicillin and can only take liquids. Doctor says pick up prescription after 3pm.

Pick up prescription and take home to wife who reads leaflet. This says if allergic to penicillin contact doctor.

3.30pm, ring doctors for advice.

"Can't tell you, put you on triage list."

4.30pm, fed up of waiting. Ring pharmacy, very helpful. Decide drug is okay.

16.45pm, doctor rings, not needed now.

8.30am until 16.30 to take first antibiotic (very difficult to get down due to throat).

Twenty-four hours to save NHS. Labour 10 years to destroy it. When you do get to see the doctor it is a first class service - just how do you get there?

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