A doctor's surgery has denied suggestions it has stopped offering patients the chance to pre-book appointments.

Some patients attending the Elizabeth Courtauld Surgery in Factory Lane West, Halstead, have voiced their frustrations at being asked to attend the surgery on the same day they are seeking to arrange an appointment.

This has led to suggestions the surgery is now only offering patients same-day appointments or the option of attending an open access surgery held each weekday morning.

However, practice manager Richard Hartwell has refuted the claims and says the surgery is simply trying to be as flexible as possible.

He said: “We will ask people to come down to the open access surgery if they can make it, otherwise we will look to find them a suitable pre-bookable appointment.

“This is not always possible as we are still very busy when it comes to our pre-bookable appointments.

“We do keep some bookable appointments back to be released on the day and we do also try to use our pre-bookable appointments for follow ups, but as with everything we do this is a fine balancing act and not one that always pleases everyone.”

The open surgery system was introduced back in early June due to complaints being made about the lack of appointments available to patients.

The new system means any patients attending the open surgery between 8.30am and 10.30am are seen by a clinician that same day.

Mr Hartwell says patients will not always be asked to attend the open clinics when ringing up for an appointment, and will instead be assessed first before being advised what is best for them.

He added: “If patients are free then it does make sense for them to come down as they will be seen sooner.

“And of course, if we are fully pre-booked on the days they may ask to attend then we will either ask them to come down, try alternative dates or advise them to call on the day to see if anything is available.”