DEAR EDITOR -- I refer to the so-called appointment scheme at the Droitwich Spa medical practice.

When you ask the reception for appointments you get the secretary asking you lots of confidential questions that is not any of their business. Also the attitude of the people who answer the phone leaves something to be desired and the time, we the patients (who pay their wages) have to wait for an appointment is usually weeks away.

When you can count yourself lucky to get an appointment you then have to sit and wait, having put work and life on hold to spend the day at the surgery.

If you are really unwell then your luck is in. For your money you get a five minute emergency appointment - but set the stop watch, and when you do take out the appointment in the weeks to come you still end up waiting. So what is the point in waiting that long for it anyway?

Wouldn't it be nice if the reception desk didn't ask confidential questions, put a smile on their faces, and we patients could see the doctor at the time stated. A bigger health centre wouldn't go amiss

One concerned patient,

Droitwich Spa.

(Name and address supplied)