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I tried to get one Yesterday... "Sorry we have nothing left today." "Okay can I book one for tomorrow please." "No. You can only phone and book on the day itself, we open at 08:00" "Oh. Okay." I phone back today at 08:00 exactly. The phone is engaged for 20 minutes. Finally I get through... "Can I make an appointment please? I am in a lot of discomfort." "No we have nothing left. You will have to wait until Monday." "I absolutely cannot wait any longer. I need to see a Doctor." "Can we phone you back about something." "No. I need to see a Doctor. I have been in considerable pain and discomfort for too long." "Phone back after 14:00 today, and we'll try to get you an emergency appointment." Since when did this become acceptable in this country? Why do we have to put up with this? I even phoned NHS direct to be told only to stay on the line if it was urgent - due to the volume of calls. How do I know how urgent it is? Do I have to perform my own triage? I don't want to get party political...however as a civillisied nation we should put more focus on routine health care. The money is available - we have just used some of it to bail out banks.

For those of you who can't remember him, he's the winger that we signed as a 16 year old who is currently on loan at Nottingham Forest. My in-laws have got season tickets at Forest, and have told me that there was no minute's silence today for Hillsborough, but that Paul Anderson had taken it upon himself to wear a black armband as a mark of respect, and was the only one on the pitch who had done so. I thought that was worth reporting and speaks volumes for his character. He's apparently been one of Forest's best players since he recovered from injury, and I hope he goes on to play well for us in the future. Well done lad!