[jambutty]

My doctor is a single doctor practice and the two receptionists there are, judging from what I have just read, the best two receptionists in England.

They will do their best to squeeze you in that day if you really need to see the doctor. They are efficient, polite and wait for it, have a sense of humour. My only gripe is having to take the prescription counterfoil in for a repeat prescription rather than being able to ring up and ask for one. But that is a national efficiency thing so it’s not their fault.

It is the same story with the receptionist at my NHS dentist and at the Warfarin clinic at the Darwen Health Centre. Quietly efficient!

A few years ago when a blood clot on the lung was creating havoc I rang up to say that I had to see the doctor and explained the reason why. “Come right away” she said “and I’ll squeeze you in.” She did and within ten minutes of my arrival I was sat facing the doctor. He was even prepared to arrange for an ambulance to collect me from the surgery to take me to hospital.