There has been quite a lot of comment in the media on "when will my GP surgery open again?" but Axminster Medical Practice wants to reassure patients you that it has been open throughout the COVID-9 pandemic.

Although things have changed a lot, all the staff at medical practice have been very busy helping patients.

A statement on the practice's social media said: "In order to play our part in reducing the risk of infection spread, we have installed a 'total triage' system, where all intital GP consultations are digital or telephone. Matt Hancock has recently confirmed that this system will remain from now on.

"Most people have been really understanding and found the benefits from our new system. For example, busy people no longer have to wait for an appointment or take time off work when we can manage the problem remotely.

"By taking a few minutes to fill out an eConsult, you are enabling us to help you much more efficiently and we will get back to you on the same day, rather than previously where you may have had to wait weeks for an appointment.

"If we feel you do need to see a GP or nurse, we can now be much more flexible with the appointment time, and give you longer than 10 minutes if you need it.

"However, we have been concerned by the escalating levels of abuse that our staff, and particularly our dispensers and receptionists, have been receiving. Please remember that we are all human beings, trying our best to get through this together, helping you as best we can.

"There will be aspects of the service we provide that you do not like, and we will make mistakes, for which we are sorry. We can understand frustration, but cannot accept abuse of our staff who are performing a very difficult, and sometimes impossible job."

From the beginning of lockdown to the end of July, Axminster Medical Practice has completed:

• 6,893 eConsults
• 4,414 telephone requests
• 1,134 GP face-to-face appointments
• 4,698 nurse appointments
• 71,250 prescriptions processed
• 991 letters processed

The statement added: "We really do welcome polite and constructive feedback. If you would like to comment on the eConsult system, please contact the company that manage it directly as we do not have any control over the program itself."

If you would like to give feedback on Axminster Medical Practice or if you suggestions for improvement, you can get in touch via the practice's website.