"Feel let down by my GP"

I suffer with mental health, severe depression and anxiety. I was in a desperate state and needed to speak to a doctor as I was feeling suicidal.

The receptionist tried to pass it off and said there are no appointments as per usual. I had spent all day trying to get through and was highly anxious. As they take the phone off the hook and when the automated speaker does come on the phone, you can be waiting up to an hour for someone to answer the phone.

I literally had to beg to speak to a doctor and they just told me they would see what they can do.

I was surprised that a doctor did actually ring me 2 hours later as usually they don't get back to you. I spoke to a doctor who had experience in mental health and they was really good and put me at ease and was very helpful.

They promised me that I did not have to go through with the trauma of getting hold of a doctor again as they said that they will personally make me an appointment in two weeks to see how I'm going and review my medication, as they decided to lower the dose till I speak to them again. Before they put the phone down they said that they would ring me in two weeks.

I felt less anxious as I knew that I would be speaking to the same doctor and not random doctors all the time.

The week after the surgery rang me and told me that they have had to cancel this appointment because they were not available and offered me another doctor. I did not want another doctor as I felt more comfortable speaking with this doctor.

They looked on their records and said there diary of appointments is not ready yet for the next couple of weeks so I should ring back next week so they can see whether or when it gets updated in order to see them.

The week after I did just that after spending all day trying to get through. The receptionist told me that they are not available full stop and I would have to speak to someone else but in three weeks time.

I felt devastated as I need to see a doctor sooner then that and my medication is about to run low and I don't know what is happening about my sick note as I am off work.

I feel so let down and annoyed, it just feels like a kick in the teeth as I already feel let down by my practice as when you're not feeling good or need a doctors appointment you can never get hold of them so sometimes I'm having to ring 111.