Difficult to get an appointment with a GP
In the past have had many issues with the receptionists - very rude, sound patronising at times and could just be a lot friendlier. Trying to get an appointment with a gp is a nightmare. There are only 2 hours in the day where appointments can be made (9-10am and 2:30-3:30pm) These hours do not cater for working people, like myself who work in schools. When I have raised this with them, they basically say there's nothing they can do or get someone else to call on behalf - what if we don't want to share personal matters with others? Just ridiculous reasoning and no effort to accommodate patients needs. When I have rang in to make an appointment, sometimes the waiting time is very long - even being number 1 in the que, I have waited somewhere between 12-15minutes at one time. This is not acceptable when we are having to excuse ourselves from work to make the call bang on at 9, with limited booking timings and asking for time out the classroom. Recently, I called in regarding a severe reaction, this has happened may times using sun cream products, even those labelled for sensitive skin etc. So I called to ask if there is anything that can be done to test my skin for allergies, so that I am aware of what to avoid. The doctors 'professional advice' was take some anti-histamine and avoid using sun cream altogether! Absolutely baffled me with that response..then the line disconnected. I rang back, now number 7 in the que, waited for a very long time to get through and reminded them I rang a bit ago, then they apologised to say they are having some issues with their phone line and calls keep disconnecting. If you know you have issues with your line shouldn't patients be informed at the begining of the call and shouldn't they ring back a patient, rather than making them ring again and wait in the que again and waste time. Need some improving on basic etiquettes and phone manners! Overall, the service at this surgery has gone down in the dumps. I don't feel valued or in good hands here. My daily have had bad experiences just recently too. We are looking in to joining another gp!