The NHS has so many problems - bed blocking is a major issue agreed. It would make sense that they had a second line of care for those who need it between hospital and convalescence/going home, this would free the hospital beds and act as a safeguard to reduce elderly patients ending up back in hospital.

On Tuesday my 17 yr old daughter had an appointment arrive for her ongoing saga of obtaining treatment for a small growth on her arm. Yesterday (the next day) the appointment was cancelled and another re-issued! What a waste!!! She has so far had about 8 appointments, spread over about 6 months maybe more, on one occasion arriving at the hospital to be phoned on the doorstep to be told the appointment was cancelled (due to her age) - she has to date received no treatment at all !

Also Tuesday I finally got to see my hard working GP (who was on holiday when I tried to make the appointment Monday last week) - I had a 4.20 apptmt - sat from 4.05 to 4.35pm waiting - during which 3 other patients went in. The surgery was deserted, I then realised the other doctor at my practice was now on holiday - in post 8 I'd asked why on earth would my doctor would go on holiday in Winter their busiest time? Seems its more common than I thought.

I remember in the 70's when my 1 GP and 1 receptionist ran the surgery - no appointments, walk in, he did home visits, surgery always pretty full with what must have been upwards of 20 patients sitting there. In those days the doctor had to give me 2 injections a week for allergic asthma, went on for 12 weeks. I never remember it being a major issue for them to cope, I don't remember any talk of the system collapsing - and I know where he lived so he was well paid! What has gone wrong?????