A GP surgery in Reading has revealed their staff have been regularly reduced to tears by abusive customers as waiting times spiral out of control.

Balmore Park Surgery, in Caversham, took a record 8886 telephone calls in October – 30 per cent more than per-pandemic levels.

Huge demand has led to increased telephone queues and impatient callers have reportedly shouted and sworn at receptionists.

“These are remarkably busy times for us, but we are doing our best to try and provide the best care that we can despite the vast increase in demand and staff absence due to illness and isolation,” read a post made from the GP surgery’s Facebook account.

Read more: Tilehurst Surgery faces 900 calls a day

“Please do not shout or swear at the Receptionist once you get through, it is not their fault. Many are reduced to tears by the end of their shift by the regular abuse they are receiving.”

The news comes after a Tilehurst Surgery reported 900 calls a day at the end of September, forcing the staff to halt new non-urgent appointments until October 7.

In a statement, the Tilehurst Surgery Partnership said they too were working far above pre-pandemic demand, calling for ‘patience’ with receptionists.

Balmore Park Surgery has introduced a new phone system to combat waiting times, which the Facebook post suggested should “gradually improve.”

Read more: Murder investigation launched as man stabbed to death in Tilehurst

“The wait is caused by the number of people trying to get through.

“The message will tell you where you are in the queue, this gives you the option of waiting or telephoning back later when the lines are not quite so busy.”

The surgery clarified that 60 per cent of all appointments with a GP at the surgery are attended face-to-face and the remaining 40 per cent, conducted over the phone, are done so by the patient’s choice – the only exception being when a GP must work from home.