Peak practice?

SIR – Regarding the provision of care at GP practices (Letters, February 18), my wife had a blood test on a Thursday. The following Monday she received a text from the practice, asking her to ring to make a GP appointment to discuss the results. Starting at number 19 in the queue, she finally got through after 65 minutes, only to be told that the GP would be able to call (not see) her in four weeks’ time.

This practice is rated “good” by the Care Quality Commission. Dennis Carver Wokingham, Berkshire

SIR – We have supply teachers doing a brilliant job in schools and colleges, and temporary NHS bank nurses filling a much-needed gap in hospitals, so why not the same for doctors who just want to work part-time? Those who have retired, but would still like to keep their hand in, will hopefully apply for the NHS Emeritus pilot scheme, which was launched in January. But there must be other trained medics, who cannot work full-time for one reason or another, just waiting to lend their skills. Chris Milne-Jones Redruth, Cornwall

SIR – Like millions of other people, I do not own a smartphone and thus cannot use “apps”. Imagine my joy on learning that, in the near future, requesting a repeat prescription online through the NHS will require the use of its app.

Why does the NHS, with many other organisations, assume that if you don’t have a smartphone, you don’t exist? Martin Hall Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire

SIR – I recently tried to book an appointment with my GP surgery using the NHS app. I was given a menu telling me to “select type”, but the only option was for a cervical screening clinic.

As an 80-year-old male, I did not proceed further. Michael Turner Winchester, Hampshire