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Patford House Surgery Partnership 2023-07-18 Person 0 5 0

On 25 June I became feverish. Monday 26 June I woke with a swollen left foot, red streaks going up my leg and a great deal of pain on the inside ankle and shin. I called Patford House (answered by Beaversbrook reception at 12:01) and described my condition. Reception told me "We don't have any urgent appointments for two weeks." I disconnected and had someone drive me to Chippenham minor injury where, after three hours, a practioner confirmed what I already knew: I had cellulitis and needed antibiotics. By this time the foot, ankle and lower leg were badly swollen and the red streaks were above my knee. On Tuesday I went to A&E at GWH where I was eventually hospitalised for two nights, plus another two days at SDEC, receiving IV antibiotics. After another course of strong dose oral antibiotics it appears to be healed. Yesterday, the 17th of July, I had a 10:00 Dr's appointment for another matter (booked two months in advance). The Dr took a look at my foot and leg and pronounced it healing. She was surprised when I described my experience calling Beaversbrook and said she would have a word with the practice manager there and have her call me. This has not happened. The issue here is had I been able to get strong antibiotics by midday Monday I would not have ended up in the hospital on Tuesday. I don't think this is standard for GP surgeries, I think this was a significant failing on the part of the Patford group and particularly whomever answered my call at 12:01 Monday, 26 June.

You could have spent all of 15 minutes observing an obvious dangerous infection and prescribed antibiotics on the spot.