I HAVE just read the article in the Advertiser regarding the complaint about the Shepherds Spring Medical Centre and felt I needed to write to you in their defence.

We moved to Andover four years ago and our neighbours strongly recommended this surgery to us. We are both pensioners and have needed medical help several times since then. I can only say that we are very impressed with the treatment we have received each time. I agree that there is a long wait to see a particular doctor, but the surgery runs an extremely efficient duty doctor system, whereby you are given a five minute appointment on the day that you phone. We have had to use this on severaloccasions and each time we have been able to be seen and attended to very successfully.

Many people we know who are not lucky enough to be able to attend our surgery are all extremely envious as to how well we are looked after.

We often hear stories of two-week waits to see any doctor at all at their practice, however unwell they are.

We also often praise the efficient, kind and considerate attitude of every receptionist we have ever spoken to at Shepherds Spring Centre, yet again to the envy of others.

As Andover’s population has increased so much in the last few years there is an obvious need for more medical practices, so all surgeries must be struggling to provide a good service, and I think our doctors are managing very well in this difficult situation.

Once again, I can only say that everyone we know who uses Shepherds Spring Medical Centre have nothing but praise for all the doctors.

Anne and Michael Brine, Harewood Park, Andover.