A PATIENT shares concern over Bracknell GP merge as appointments are “impossible” to get.

Ringmead Medical Practice and Sandhurst Group Practice have announced that they are merging on Saturday, July 1.

The two practices will come together to form Ringmead Medical Group, combining their management and clinical teams.

Patient at Ringmead practice, Rob Souter, has shared his concerns about the merger saying, “the NHS has totally collapsed and is no longer fit for purpose”.

Rob said: “When ringing the surgery, I am normally 20 to 30 in the queue and then get told no available appointments in the next 3 weeks. I go to the surgery and face rude reception staff that have lied to me about when prescriptions have been sent and I have been left without.

“It is impossible to get through to or get an appointment with my GP”.

Rob said he has tried to change GP but been told by friends that “other surgeries are the same or worse”.

Mr Souter said he has waited three years for a hip operation, and he lost his wife “to cancer 2 years ago after her scans and tests for cancer were repeatedly put off, and then diagnosed stage 4 when she was finally seen.”

“So, I really have no faith in GP surgery or hospitals, it's all really down to whether you can pay privately”, Rob added.

 Speaking about the merger, Rob said he hopes “it somewhat eliminates these long-term problems”.

A spokesperson for the practices said: “We are asking for people’s patience and understanding during this time. Bringing GP practices together is a considerable task, and our staff are working extremely hard to ensure that all our services are available to patients once again as soon as possible.

"As a newly merged practice we will continue to strive to improve patient access to our services.”

Speaking about a new system, the spokesperson for the practices added: "Demand on GP practices continues to be extremely high and we have been investing in technology to improve access to appointments, including phone technology and online access.

"The easiest way to access medical advice, is to complete the online form, which will be triaged on the same day and contact will be made with the patient after prioritising with the offer of an appointment if appropriate."

Ringmead Medical Practice have arranged a public event on Monday, July 10 in the Sixth Form Atrium at Edgbarrow School, at 7pm, where patients can ask questions. All are welcome.