HAVING been a patient of my local practice for 57 years, it has gone through many changes, mostly I feel not for the better.

It was interesting to read in a Sunday newspaper that the NHS chief criticises GPs are being too rigid and preventing a more flexible focus on patients’ needs.

I have experienced this on many occasions, with ten-minute appointment and no second or third questions. Make another appointment!

In the time taken to get this appointment your problems could have multiplied, as happened in my case.

What prompted me to write this letter is that I have just had my medical MOT by a very nice nurse, with a tick list and a few questions.

I had a previous appointment arranged to see my doctor the following week, so I asked, is my medication (of some years standing) still fit for purpose. The answer was by checking your repeat prescription. My previous doctor, who retired, insisted I visited him.

No more questions were allowed, so I left feeling let down. At my age, a doctor is going to be needed more rather than less and with the new funding system to kick in, I fear for my future quality health care.

My mother always said: “Live long and die happy.” I hope so.

RS Pearson, Towthorpe Road, Haxby, York.