THE MERGER of Bracknell GP surgeries has raised concerns from one patient who claims her elderly mum was administered an incorrect dosage of medication.

Gainsborough Practice joined together with Forest Health Group in recent weeks as part of a process to streamline practices.

But the patient, who asked to remain anonymous, raised concerns about the merger and claimed that her mum, 93, has had issues with her dosage of medication as well as communication from the surgery. Claims that have not been confirmed by the health  group.

According to patients and online reviews, The Gainsborough Practice has seen a drop in response time and face-to-face availability. A trend that has been seen nationally as patient’s struggle to get face-to-face appointments.

The daughter, who asked to remain anonymous, said: "My mum has heart failure so we rely on being able to contact a doctor and receive a quick response.

“Up until a few months ago, the surgery has always been able to help me with an appointment on the same day and her medication has always been correct.

“Just before the surgery merged with the health group, they somehow put through a double dose of thyroid medication, and I had to ask why it had suddenly gone up. It more than doubled the dose which shouldn’t have happened.

“I didn’t want to cause any trouble but medication like this can really affect somebody. It took nearly a month for the overdose to get out of her blood system."

"It’s very worrying. If medications are wrong how long until someone with Alzheimer’s or short-term memory loss gets given the wrong tablets,” she added.

“My mum was so ill when she was given a double dose of the thyroid medication and when her blood thinners were not given. She also has the very beginnings of dementia so if I wasn't on the ball I don’t know what would happen."

The surgery has reportedly assured the patient’s daughter, who has also attended the practice for 40 years, that the situation would be reviewed and corrected.

When contacted for comment the health group were unable to provide a statement on individual cases.

Forest Health Group said: “We are always keen to respond promptly and thoroughly to complaints, and wherever appropriate, learn from them.

"At Forest Health we always aim to deliver the highest standards of care to our patients.

"On this occasion we have been asked to comment in a situation where a patient feels that our care has fallen short of this standard. We are always keen to respond promptly and thoroughly to complaints, and wherever appropriate, learn from them."

They added: "We would hope that any patient who has a complaint about our care would contact our practice manager who will take them through the complaints process so that we can offer the patient a full and open response."

Frimley Health Clinical Commissioning Group said: “We cannot comment on individual cases but would advise any patient concerned about the quality of the treatment they are receiving to raise the matter with the service provider in the first instance – in this case the GP practice.

“This should be done in writing, either via Forest Health Group’s online complaints form: www.foresthealthgroup.co.uk/feedback or by post.

“Patients can also raise concerns over primary care services by contacting NHS England. Further information can be found here: www.england.nhs.uk/contact-us/complaint/complaining-to-nhse/.”