A SURGERY is facing criticism after an eight-month-old baby ended up seriously ill and a three-year-old girl was hospitalised with pneumonia after both were refused GP appointments.

Mums Kerri Lynn, 23, and Clair Ptolemy, 41, faced the trauma of having their daughters rushed to the Sick Children's Hospital in Glasgow after being blocked from seeing a doctor at the Port Glasgow Medical Practice.

Clair told how little Sanni-Lee Ptolomey, aged three, fell unwell during a weekend and was sent to Inverclyde Royal's out of hours service.

Despite this she was still refused a follow-up with a GP.

Clair, from King Street, told our sister title The Greenock Telegraph: "She still wasn't well and I wanted to get her checked but they just told me to keep an eye on her and didn't give me an appointment.

"Two days later I called the practice again, as she was getting much worse.

"This time they told me Sanni-Lee would need to go and get a Covid test first.

"When I took her to get one, the doctor took one look at her and said straight away, 'that little girl is too ill for a test - she needs to go to hospital, now'.

"They sent us up in a public transport ambulance and she was given antibiotics and sent home the next day.

"She had a shadow on her lung and they told me to get her straight back up if she got worse.

"She fell ill again and NHS 24 sent a blue light ambulance.

"They had to work on her first and when we got there the doctors were all waiting.

"Sanni-Lee was just lying there, lifeless.

"They told me she had pneumonia.

"It was terrible.

"She spent the next few days in hospital - all of that and she couldn't even get to see her own doctor.

"Surely a child should be a priority?

"I am disgusted by it all and I wouldn't trust them again.

"You think a doctor would look after your child.

"I can't believe they didn't see her, despite us going to the out of hours.

"Luckily she has bounced back."

Clair says she has now left the Medical Centre, based in Dubbs Place.

Another family were also left frantic following the surgery's refusal to see a sick baby.

Kerri Lynn, from Islay Avenue, was left fearing for her little girl's life when she took seriously unwell in the middle of the night.

She had desperately tried to get help from the practice all day without success and after a final call she phoned NHS 24 out of hours.

Kerri told the Tele: "I had tried to get an appointment because she had a temperature and was just told to keep an eye on her.

"Three times I phoned.

"She had a temperature, was crying and not taking bottles.

"When I spoke to NHS 24 and they said right away that was a red flag.

"They sent an ambulance and rushed her up.

"Her temperature was at 39 and they had to get her heart rate down.

"Luckily they stabilised her but she could have went into a convulsions.

"It turned out she had an ear infection - something that could be dealt with if you see a doctor.

"I felt so helpless."

Kerri says the lack of straightforward access to GPs during the pandemic is unacceptable.

She said: "I only got to see a GP after I put in a complaint to the practice manager.

"It feels like you only get a doctor's appointment now if you complain.

"People can go to a pub and into shops but a baby can't see a doctor."

Port Glasgow Medical Centre has refused to respond directly on both concerning cases.

A spokeswoman said: "We are unable to comment on individual situations due to patient confidentiality and encourage any patients who have concerns to contact the practice directly.

"Port Glasgow Medical Centre has continued to offer appointments both by telephone and face to face throughout the coronavirus pandemic.

"We follow the Scottish Government’s guidance so anyone showing symptoms of Covid infection should follow the advice on NHS Inform about looking after themselves, and if concerned should phone NHS 24 or their GP practice.

"If further assessment is needed, an appointment is arranged at a Community Assessment Centre.

"This is for adults and children and the same advice applies across Scotland.

"When you contact your practice, you will firstly get a telephone appointment.

"Not all problems can be dealt with on the telephone and if a face to face appointment is needed, this will be arranged."