Hi Lestypuss,

I'm so sorry you've had such a dreadful experience. I work in healthcare and have worked in a surgery type setting and can tell you from experience that if you front up in person, it is much harder to say no. if you chose to try your luck on the phone again or go in person, tell whomever it is you talk to that you have been trying for XYZ period to get an appointment for you son and that it is both inappropriate and unprofessional for them to keep telling you to call back the next day. If they put you through to the nurse again and you are again told to call back, tell them it is not their call to say your child does not need medical attention. As his mother, you feel his condition which has been treated by an over the counter product for X period of time at the advice of a pharmacist and is NOT responding but getting worse, warrants a consultation with the DOCTOR.

If they continue to refuse to give you an appointment, request to talk to the practice manager. If the practice manager refuses to make you an appointment, ask what they suggest you do and will they take responsibility if your child's rash becomes infected or turns out to be something more serious.

Make sure you record the details of who you speak to on what day and at what time as well as their response. Include this in the letter to the clinic and also send a copy to your local member and opposition.

If you still have no luck getting an appointment, ask the pharmacist who advised you to use the cream to contact the surgery on your behalf. If they are willing to say that it needs to be looked at by a doctor, the receptionist may be more willing to listen to them as a qualified professional.

You could also request to speak with one of the PARTNERS who will be a GP. I am sure they are appalled at the way their patients are being treated. Especially considering their oath and the reason most of them go into medicine.

HTH and let us know how you go.

MG