Today, I had been struggling to breathe for 2 days & my inhaler wasn't helping. I rang our local medical centre bang on 8am (we arent supposed to go to the surgery) to be told all urgent appointments had gone & nothing was available to pre-book for 2 weeks. I was trying to stay calm while gulping in air & feeling like I had an elephant on my chest. 

What are you supposed to do when you don't feel serious enough to go to A&E, but you know that you're going to end up in A&E if you don’t get help? 

I don't want to waste hospital time unless it's absolutely urgent. I find it totally crazy that in a situation where I was having difficulty to breathe, but realised that a prescription was probably all I needed, I couldn't even get in to see a nurse. Seriously, what is the point of a general practice you literally cannot get an appointment with for love nor money. Three weeks, I've been trying to get routine appointments for my son and I without any joy. At least I was able to give the 2-week slot offered to me to him.

Thankfully, I rang 111 & got referred to Corby Urgent Care Centre who were brilliant. I'm now on a course of steroids. I was the sixth person the nurse practitioner there had seen with these symptoms. Pollen & pollution are higher than normal, triggering asthma.

We're just pushing the problems from Burton Latimer and other Medical Centres on to Urgent Care, Minor Injuries Units and A&E.

It's not my Medical Centre's fault but, seriously, what are we supposed to do? 

I started this petition 2 years ago. Last time I raised the issue another few more people bothered to sign. WTAF. Doesn't anyone care???? It is exactly this apathy that it is letting governments get away with crippling the NHS.

I see posts on social media with people moaning about GPs all the time. Put your bloody money where your mouth is.

Sign the petition please!