'We're furious' - Blandford wife and mum blasts GP clinic group after appointments were suspended

The Blandford Group Practice announced on Tuesday it was postponing all non-urgent appointments due to 'a lapse in public liability insurance'.

Sites affected were Whitecliff Surgery, Child Okeford Surgery, Eagle House Surgery, and the Families' Medical Centre.

Susan Case, from Child Okeford, with her diabetic husband Iain, 50. Pic: Susan Case

The issue has now been sorted and appointments were due to resume today - with the practice prioritising those who have had appointments postponed during the closure.

It has been a stressful few days for one family. Susan Case, from Child Okeford, said her diabetic husband Iain, 50, and eldest daughter Libby, 18, who struggles with anxiety, were left in limbo as they did not know when they would receive their medication.

Mrs Case, 46, a patient at the group's Child Okeford Surgery, said: "It's encouraging to see all appointments resume but I'm not feeling particularly happy after being left in limbo.

"What's happened this week regarding the lack of insurance shows the service that this group is providing is substandard.

"For me, this is the tip of the iceberg. Again it's great to see the situation has been dealt with, but it doesn't stop the lack of faith I have with the group - and I demand an inquiry into the matter."

Mrs Case with her eldest daughter Libby, 18. Pic: Susan Case

She added: "The clinics have been on the decline for several years. It felt impossible to get an appointment during the pandemic - you are just constantly being fobbed off.

"We're furious about the way it's been run - enough is enough. It's been failing us and a lot of people."

North Dorset MP Simon Hoare said he was 'very anxious' about the temporary closure.

The Tory MP said the situation at the GP practice was 'very unsatisfactory', following a long period of patient uncertainty during the pandemic.

In a statement Blandford Group Practice said: “We recognise that it has been a frustrating few days for some patients and we would like to sincerely apologise to those who have been affected.

“We thank everyone for their understanding of what is an unfortunate set of circumstances much of which was beyond our control.

“If you are a dispensing patient and have waited 48 hours since submitting your request, you will be able to collect your medication from our dispensaries from 3.30pm today.

“Again, we are prioritising those patients who have had delays during our closure.

“Some waits may be experienced due to the large number of requests we have to fulfil, including repeat prescriptions we are processing and sending to the local community pharmacies.”

Those who require urgent medication are advised to contact NHS 111 or visit their local community pharmacy and ask for an emergency supply.

Blandford Group Practice is also able to go ahead with the vaccination clinic tomorrow and those patients with appointments can attend as planned.

The statement added: “We would like to thank our staff at The Blandford Group Practice and our partner agencies for their hard work in setting up temporary arrangements for patients so rapidly.

“We would ask everyone to be respectful to staff when coming back to the practice.

“Restoring insurance cover has proved far more complicated than renewing personal car or home insurance and we can assure you the lapse in cover was not down to individual error.

“We are therefore extremely happy to have secured fresh cover and look forward to seeing you as we return to business as usual.”

A spokesman from the Dorset CCG said: “We are pleased that services are able to return at The Blandford Group Practice and would like to take the opportunity to thank practice staff and partners for their hard work in making this happen.”