FIGURES have revealed the number of patients to GPs across Neston.

For many people the reality of trying to get an appointment with their GP is merely impossible but for the people of Neston their experiences are very different.

Many call their GP at 8.00am on the dot and are told that they are in a queue. Just to be told no face-to-face appointments are available.

In recent news, GPs in England will now need to offer non-urgent appointments within two weeks and urgent slots the same day under new plans from the Government.

Readers have messaged us about their positive experiences in accessing GP services in the area of Neston.

Sue De Souza, 61, said: “Absolutely no complaints for Neston GP practice, they've been amazing! We've moved from Buckinghamshire and the service there is atrocious."

Victoria Le’Fleur, 71, retired said: “I have always been able to see a doctor either face to face or telephone consultation. It’s very easy. Neston Medical Centre have been amazing, and the receptionists are very understanding.”

Ann Naylor, 65, retired said: “Instead of blaming the GPs and staff, blame should be aimed at who is responsible i.e. the government.

“I am a patient at Neston surgery, and I worked for 15 years at Neston Medical Centre, so I have experience from both sides of the coin. I phoned my surgery on Friday morning and was offered both types of appointments.

“Unfortunately, no one can please everybody as everybody has different needs.”

Gillian Forshaw, 66, retired said: "I have not found it difficult to get an appointment for a telephone consultation and usually invited up to see a doctor straightaway if needed.

"Some difficulty in getting through but try a few times and then get to speak to receptionists who are usually helpful and friendly."

Katherine Matthews, 47, midwife/SCPHN said: "Neston surgery Mellock Lane, excellent call up they call back and see you that day if needs be."

Jenny Allen, 53, support worker in radiology said: "My GP practice uses the patient access app. You can book telephone triage appointments (even request specific Dr) and request repeat prescriptions using your smartphone. It’s a really effective, efficient system."

Here is a chart of the total number of patients and the number of GPs at each practice in Neston.

Cath Roddy, Practice Manager at Neston Surgery said: "We already provide a large number of same day appointments including seeing patients who require an urgent appointment on the same day. There is always the problem of balancing same day appointment availability with more routine appointments, and demand for primary care appointments is at an all-time high. 

"It will be interesting to see how the government’s proposals will help us to provide better access for our patients. We already have a diverse range of clinicians including recent additions of advanced nurse practitioners, clinical pharmacists, a mental health practitioner, social prescriber, wellbeing coordinator, visiting paramedics and physiotherapists.

"The aim of these roles is that patients see the most appropriate person to deal with their condition or query, this enables us to provide more doctors time for access to GP appointments for those who need them."

A spokesperson for Neston Medical Centre said: "Our current appointment system which has been in place for the past 12 years is flexible and offers patients both urgent and non urgent telephone appointments which can be booked on the day.

"If during the telephone assessment, it is deemed that the patient needs or wishes to be seen, a mutually agreeable appointment is arranged generally during that day.

"Within our clinical system, patients are able to organise their own GP appointments via the NHS app, these are available to book up to two weeks in advance. 

"There are a number of multi-disciplinary healthcare professionals working within our team, such as Physiotherapists. Patients can be signposted to these clinicians by the Reception team, without the need for a GP appointment.

"As always, we are delighted to hear positive feedback from our patients.

"Our team are working very hard but have noticed an increased demand on the service in recent years.

"We will continue to look at ways of making the service as efficient and accessible as possible and to maintain a good healthcare professional-patient relationship."