A wait at a doctor's office can feel like forever but imagine not even being able to see your doctor.

A patient at San Vicente clinic in the Lower Valley told KFOX14 a high turnover rate at the clinic is leaving patients behind.

The patient didn't want to share his identity but said it's not easy to get an appointment at San Vicente and he's not the only patient to voice his concerns.

Another man told KFOX14 his primary doctor left a couple of months ago and was replaced but recently three others had left.

With so many primary doctors leaving at once, both men claim patients are lost in the mix and left behind waiting months to reschedule and see another one.

"The doctor's leave and then sometimes they cancel your appointments and then they re-arrange you with another primary doctor and that'll take months as well. It's pretty difficult," he said.

When asked if he has voiced his concerns to the clinic he said he had.

"I've gotten some feedback and it's just pretty much a general apology, 'sorry for the wait' but nothing specific and no solution," he said.

Donald Tufts, CEO of the San Vicente clinic, didn't want to go on camera but said it's not unusual for primary doctors to leave and said they're replaced as they go. He wouldn't confirm if three doctors had left recently and claims the turnover rate in primary doctors has not caused any major issues and denies a long wait for patients.

But there are more patient concerns about the facility.

"They don't answer their appointment lines, dental or the general medical. They don't answer either of them. When you do get one it's months and months down the road," he said.
Although frustrated with the clinic, the patient said he understands the turnover rate and offered a solution.

"Switching doctors like that makes me feel not very cared for, but I understand it's also something you go through in the medical field. I also know that San Vicente is probably a step up clinic or something like that so their pay probably isn't on the level of other places, so maybe setting up better contracts with the doctors could ensure that they do stay there. If not make sure when they're leaving you can find other doctor to help you out and maybe make a more easily accessible appointment line," he said.