Four Oaks Medical Centre

Phone lines inadequate. When it is quiet, I am 'caller number 30' Receptionists intrusive and don't give an appointment unless you tell them what is wrong. Sometimes things are just private.

Can never get straight through on the phone, instead get put in a huge queue. Still have to listen to the Coronavirus blurb before being out in the queue! Have to call at certain times if the day for even the slightest chance of getting a ‘phone call’ appointment with the doctor who will then decide if you’re worthy of them risky their lives by appearing from behind the barricade and seeing you face to face. I would even claim this behaviour is breaching the Hippocrates Oath which swears ‘to refrain from causing harm’.

Never answer the phone. Cannot get an appointment

Queues to speak to receptionist about 1 hour. cannot see a GP at all !!

You are caller number 53. This is not acceptable

A great deal of difficulty in getting an appointment to see a doctor. When phoning it takes an age to get through and when you do, you get the message, 'there are no appointments for today, please try again tomorrow.' Then if you are lucky, you get an appointment with a nurse, not a doctor.

I really dread having to make an appointment! The stress and frustration of the call just isn't worth it - I have been suffering for years with several ailments that I am trying hard to ignore as the stress of getting an appointment is not worth it. Even before lockdown, going to the doctor was rarely a positive experience, I usually (with some notable exceptions) felt as though the appointments were generally rushed and I was only half listened to. There are some excellent doctors and I have had some good consultations - you just need to be lucky to get one - unfortunately the poor experiences outweigh the good and reception / admin are the worst part of the overall service. The nurses are wonderful - but why does it take 2 weeks to get a blood test done when the results can be back in less than 6 hours! Like many others, I do feel as though lockdown has been used as an excuse for not seeing patients. Also, the app has functionality on it to book appointments but despite trying dozens of times, there are never any appointments available - I am guessing it just isn't used but if that is the case, why isn't there a comment telling the user that they are wasting their time trying to get an appointment using the app. Finally, I think there is a problem with the prescription process, I get the impression that doctors believe prescription process cycle complete next day. In my experience it normally takes 4 days from the doctor telling me he has sent a prescription across (to Boots) to me receiving the text that tells me it is ready for collection.

Telephoned with a 'cough' problem which had been present for approx. a week about 10 days ago & spoke to a Practice Nurse who diagnosed a Doctors discussion .Doctor phoned later that afternoon & recommended tablet medicine after discussion (not penicillin based !)

Always good....sometimes difficult to make contact by phone or get an early appointment

Difficulty getting through on phone. Not enough phone or face to face appointments.