MADAM, I am writing to complain about the complete absence of any on call doctors during the weekend.
Last Saturday I was very poorly and come the evening I felt that although not in need of an ambulance I needed to see a doctor as soon as possible.
My husband drove me to Ross Community Hospital where I was told by a lovely nurse that there were no doctors on duty and that, although I was obviously unwell and required treatment, only a doctor could give me what I needed. And in any case Ross hospital only dealt with minor injuries on the weekend.
The receptionist gave me the number for the NHS 'Prime Care' trust. I phoned the number given once I got home and I was asked to give my telephone number and I would be called back 'within the hour'. When a doctor did contact me I was told again that there were no on-call doctors in the Ross area and could I make my way to Hereford County Hospital in half an hour. Once there I had to wait over an hour to see a doctor and have the required treatment.
I am appalled that I had to go through this whilst feeling so unwell, I am fortunate that my husband was by my side and able to take me to Hereford as I would have been unable to drive myself. It makes me wonder what would happen if one of the older members of our town needed to see a doctor on the weekend and wasn't able to have somebody take them to Hereford? We are constantly told not to call for an ambulance unless absolutely necessary but where are the doctors to make home visits? We are not medical professionals who can diagnose ourselves and combined with "not wanting to make a fuss" we are left to fend for ourselves!
Surely with the combined efforts of the doctors from Pendeen and Alton Street surgeries a rota system could be worked out whereby a doctor could work one weekend in so many weeks? Hopefully then nobody will have to go through what I did last weekend.
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