A GP practice that has already been warned that its service is ‘inadequate’ has received further complaints.

Botley Medical Centre was rated ‘inadequate’ earlier this year by watchdogs from the Care Quality Commission report.

While the most recent report showed that the centre had improved staff training and monitoring patients on high-risk medication, the centre has come under fire again after a Botley resident, who has asked to remain anonymous, said that the GP’s service was ‘shocking’.

The man said he had been left on hold for over two hours, for the third day running, and needed to speak to a GP about an ‘issue’ he was having.

Frustrated, he asked his wife to drive him to the practice, where he discovered the phone continuously ringing while the receptionists ‘were just sat there talking to each other’.

He said: “The receptionist was so embarrassed that she said she would get the doctor to give me a call.

“It would also be great to see a doctor in person rather than over the phone – I don’t even know what my doctor looks like, it’s shocking.

“It’s just calamity after calamity down there and at the end of the day these people are dealing with people’s health and people’s lives.”

Layla Moran, Liberal Democrat MP for Oxford West, said it was ‘disappointing’ to hear that the situation was not improving as quickly as it should be at the centre.

The Liberal Democrat MP added: “"It is disappointing to hear that the situation at Botley Medical Centre, at least in this case, is not improving for patients as quickly as it should.

"I have reached out to Oxfordshire CCG to ask for an update as soon as possible about progress being made against the improvement plan, and I have met with them on multiple occasions to relay residents’ concerns.

"I am also in close contact with the patient participation group, council and other stakeholders.

"I and my team are pressing for improvements as swiftly as possible, and if any constituents want to email me with their experiences I would encourage them to do so."

Responding to the patient’s concerns, Senior Partner for Botley Medical Centre, Dr Ballestero, said: “We are sorry to hear that a patient has had difficulties getting through the practice on the phone.

“Our reception staff are working to answer each call as quickly as possible, and we also have implemented an automatic call back system to try to reduce longer waits.”

Dr Ballestero added that the practice has a ‘well-regarded GP video consultation service’ which helps provide extra appointments, and that complaints about the service can be made via letter or email.

She added: “All complaints are dealt with promptly and every effort is made to resolve issues as quickly as possible".