THE Care Quality Commission (CQC) is a safe haven for the ‘jobsworth’ who delights in exercising pedantry to a level which supposedly demonstrates their keen intellect. This is clearly shown in the comments attributed to them in connection with the Abbey Meads Surgery (Adver, May 2).

As a patient with the practice (and its predecessors) for 60 years, I have often been frustrated in my attempts to see the doctor of my choice, but I have never ever been attended to by a doctor who was less than helpful and able to attend to my requirements. Surely this is the primary criteria by which surgeries should be judged — the care provided, irrespective of which clinician provides it, of a high standard.

Patients of the surgery are able to receive emergency appointments with a doctor or nurse at extremely short notice; I had one last week in which I saw a nurse within 40 minutes of making a phone call to the surgery.

I feel sure patients will be amazed that a person whose primary duties are administrative is required to have a criminal records check just in case they are asked to act as a chaperone, just as the CQC considers it important the practice obtains a set number of references when recruiting. I would have thought if the practice was happy with a job applicant the issue of references becomes a matter of preference as opposed to protocol.

I am sure the clinical and administrative staff at Abbey Meads welcome the important input from the CQC; I am sure they will continue to provide the excellent, caring, kind and respectful service for which they are known.

DES MORGAN Caraway Drive Swindon