Found in nz Herald: Rules that defy commonsense:Every 6 months or so i have to see an asthma nurse to have a 10 second chat about my inhaler and confirm that I am still alive. The surgery is about 10 doors down from where I used to work,so I popped in one lunchtime to arrange an appointement.I was informed that they were only arranging appointments over the phone so that people wouldnt have to come into the surgery in the middle of a flu epidemic.Standing at the reception in the middle of the surgery,I asked if maybe it would be easier to do it then and there. Nope, rules are rules.If I wanted to make an appointement I,d have to do it over the phone.I got my mobile out to be told that all such devices should be switched off upon entering the building.so I went outside and made an appointement over the phone with a recepionist I could see through the window about 8 feet away.I was then invited back into the building to pick up an appointement card,lest I forget the time, day or even the address of the building.she at no point in all of this gave any sign that she thought this entire endeavour completely ridiculous.' sounds familiar to some of the problems I am currently facing'

Sure is Bruc043, that's why I keep away from those places. They are a 'bossy' lot with it. Treat you like children.

How incredible! I belong to one of those surgeries where I receive my 3 month top up of pills. Don't always get to see the same doctor as she does charity work somewhere one day a week. We have a never ending supply of locums at times and I often wonder why there is not a separate waiting room for those with colds and flu who hack and cough away. All those germs floating around can only catch a rundown patient unawares.

The ladies in the office are very nice and friendly and making an appointment in advance is the safest way to go. An emergency visit could be more difficult so one is forced to go to the Afterhours Clinic , costing around $90 even in the daylight hours. I paid $99 towards an x-ray there as the waiting elsewhere could have caused more damaged. We are just names on a computer these days. I think the vets may be a more human lot, myself.