A local resident has labelled the process of trying to get an appointment at Saundersfoot Medical Centre as ‘unworkable’ and ‘demoralising’ - from a patient’s perspective.

They stated that all the staff at the surgery that they have encountered have been very helpful, but that the process of trying to see a doctor is failing, since the facility stopped pre-booking GP appointments.

The resident who asked not to be named, said: “If anyone was to go to the Medical Centre between 7.30am to 8am - they would find a queue of people 'hoping' to be lucky enough to secure a GP appointment.”

Giving an account of their recent experience of needing a GP appointment at Saundersfoot’s surgery, they stated that they rang many times but the options available led to either being cut off; or a statement to say that no appointments were available.

They explained: “After a week or so of trying to use Option 2 ‘GP appointments’, I selected Option 3 – and spoke to a receptionist who explained that the Medical Centre no longer offered bookable appointments.

“She explained that a patient, whether or not their issue was urgent, should turn up at 8am and queue at the Surgery on the day that they wish to be seen by a GP.

Indeed, the resident needed to see a GP and so followed the process and queued - arriving at the Medical Centre at 7.30am one morning at the end of Marc, with 20 people in the queue by 8am

“To be unable to participate in a perfectly reasonable process of ringing to secure a GP appointment feels demoralising. To queue on a daily basis on the off chance that you may be lucky and get an appointment is not a proper process for working people,” they remarked.

“To drive to the surgery, queue, perhaps gain an appointment, drive home, drive back again – is not good for the unwell individual.

“I have spoken to others whilst going through this process – local friends, neighbours etc. All say and feel the same.

“If this really is the process for securing a GP appointment, then provision needs to be made to properly accommodate it. Correct patient information needs to be provided upfront on the phone so that people do not waste time ringing the Surgery and potentially leaving messages for the Pharmacy to no end.

“From my perspective all the Medical Centre staff have been great but the GP appointment booking process is unworkable and needs either amending or properly articulating and resourcing,” they added.

Saundersfoot’s county councillors Chris Williams and Alec Cormack; along with Kilgetty county councillor Alistair Cameron recently held a meeting with doctors and business staff at the Medical Centre, emphasising the importance of communication methods between the surgery and patients.

Cllr Cormack, who is also chair of Saundersfoot Community Council, was assured that although the new phone system has been slightly delayed, once live the booking system will be available 24/7 via phone, alleviating the 8am rush for appointments.