I'm fond of saying 'the world's gone mad' but today I had proof that it is, indeed, on its way to hell in a handcart....

I've not seen our GP at all in the past 8 years, so since I've been feeling unwell for a while, thought I had better make the effort. I rang up last week, asking for an appointment, only to be told I couldn't even ring and ask for the appointment (let alone get one) until the following week as 'the rotas aren't made up until then.'

Besides, all the GPs were on annual leave, and nobody was quite sure which locum would be on duty at any given time. I thought it was a bit ridiculous to give everyone their leave at the same time and rely on temporary doctors, but didn't kick up any fuss.

This morning I rang and was told all the appointments for tomorrow were full.
'That's okay,' I said, 'Could I have Wednesday or Thursday then please?'
Silly me. I hadn't realised that you can now only phone for an appointment the day before you want it.

In other words I would have to phone again tomorrow to get an appontment for Wednesday. But only if I was lucky - the receptionist pointed out that there will only be FOUR appointments on Wednesday, strictly on a first come first served basis. So if I fail to get one of those, I shall have to wait for the next day and try again.

I suspect the intention behind the system is that patients will go off and (a) clutter up the local A & E instead (it already keeps you waiting about eight hours ) or (b) recover by yourself or (c) die.

So my question is this - for whose benefit is the NHS being run, exactly? It's certainly not for the patients'.