"I should be able to book a GP appointment in advance"

I am very disappointed with the service Derry Downs Surgery provides! It is almost impossible to get an appointment with a doctor, or assistance from the staff.

Although everyone has been "friendly and polite", the service they provide is useless. I have been told I cannot book appointments in advance, which means I need to call ON THE DAY, and hope for a spot to be available. Does anyone work in this borough? because we DO and I need to be able to plan ahead if I will be late to work.

I have went with a symptom and instead of looking further, I was told cancer takes years to develop and to keep an eye on it.. Really? what happened to preventive medicine? Isn't it better if you detect a problem before it becomes a problem? And lets not even talk about the "human side" (whatever happened to empathy).

I appreciate the system is collapsed and apparently the funds are not there, but that is no excuse for denying the basics. I should be able to book an appointment to see a doctor in advance (and not be expected to call on the day), I should be able to get an explanation, further testing and solution to a symptom (rather than a: "keep an eye on it, and come back if it continues"), and I should be able to get at least annual checks on general wellness (e. g. : gynecologist, general blood test, etc. ). People should not be expected to developed the illness before they get to see a doctor!