Hastings patient's claims she waited over two months for GP appointment

Surel Thomas, of Hythe Avenue, believes scores of other patients’ lives are being ‘put in jeopardy’ because they cannot see a doctor.

Surel, a patient at Essenden Road Surgery, claimed she could not even book an appointment two weeks in advance.

She said: “People are getting seriously ill because there are a lot of patients unable to see a GP. It’s unacceptable. I tried to get an appointment for more than two months and it shouldn’t have got to that point.”

A spokesman for Hastings and Rother CCG said: “We are sorry to hear the patient has experienced difficulty securing an appointment. We are pleased to confirm the practice has now been in touch and the patient has been offered a priority consultation with a GP.

“Essenden Road Surgery, Shankill Surgery, The Plaza Surgery, Cornwallis Surgery and Little Ridge Surgery recently merged to form a new GP practice, known as Hastings Healthcare. This merger will allow practices to share clinical experience and resources.

“The practice confirms its phones are staffed from 8am-6.30pm every day. Patients may choose to be seen at any of the practice’s four sites if a suitable appointment cannot be made at Essenden Road. The patient’s assertion there is no GP at Essenden Road is a misunderstanding. Dr Al-Jubory has been working four days per week at the surgery since July last year.

“GP shortages are a national and local challenge that we are working to address as a priority. As part of the East Sussex Better Together programme, we are working with Hastings Healthcare and all other local practices to invest in and strengthen primary care, to ensure we continue to offer high quality and sustainable GP services for local people.”

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