Oxford Mail readers have been giving their views on the service they are getting from their GPs.

Some residents said they were waiting too long on the phone to book an appointment - one for two hours and another for three hours.

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’.

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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.”

DANIELLE SHEPHERD: “Botley surgery is a joke!”

LYNDA STRONG: “If you get through you are told your doctor is full booked - phone tomorrow.”

CHARMAINE SMALL: “To be honest even before the pandemic the health centre in Blackbird Leys could take 30-45 minutes to answer so nothing new!”

SOPHIE JEFFERIES: “Charmaine Small same as Kennington and Botley to be honest.”

CHARMAINE SMALL: “Nothing new so it hasn’t really changed for us.”

MARTIN WOODWARD: “Manor surgery in Headington is brilliant - up the Manor.”

CHRISTIE WOODS: “They are all like it at the moment. I don’t understand it.”

ALEX NICOLAOU: “The NHS 111 service never took more than five minutes to answer, and usually you would have a doctor call back within 20-30 minutes.

“It seems better staffed than any single GP surgery, and were just as helpful the two occasions I called this year.”

JULIE HOLTOM: “I have got to admit our doctors in Carterton is great.

“It’s easy to get through, then a call from the doctor and he will give you an appointment if he needs to see you.”

STEPHANIE HANSON: “Complain to your MP - it’s this government’s fault the NHS is in a state!”

CHRIS TOLLEY: “Poor patients!”

OXFORD MAIL READER: “I waited three hours and was cut off when I was at the front of the queue, so had to ring again but waited another three hours for a call back and was then cut off.

“To say that this place is improving is an utter joke.

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“ I drove to the surgery at Kennington with my phone on and went inside and told the reception I was ringing them but she must have been on a personal call cause she was laughing and joking with someone.

“I told her I was ringing but she said I am really busy and will answer when I can, she never did answer my call!”

OXFORD MAIL READER: “This is commonplace nowadays.

“ Doctors work two or three days a week in most cases, they should work at least four.

“You now have to speak to a receptionist to give info before you can get to speak to a doctor, let alone see one.”

OXFORD MAIL READER: “I feel so sorry for people who have to use this practice.

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“The poor service has been going on far far too long.

“Our practice, Summertown Health Centre, is superb.”

OXFORD MAIL READER: “It is completely and utterly not fit for purpose and l hope the Care Quality Commission (CQC) will act accordingly.”

OXFORD MAIL READER: “Having worked at this practice I’m appalled to say this is the tip of the iceberg.

“How the doctors there are keeping a lid on the true scale of the issues there is beyond me.

“This is an absolute scandal and I feel so sorry for the patients who have to put up with this appalling level of ‘care’.”

OXFORD MAIL READER: “The Kennington Medical centre are just as bad. We changed to Abingdon and are getting a much better service.”