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"Appalling inflexible unsympathetic reception…"

About: Meadowside Family Health Centre

I am a senior manager and have a very unconventional job, spending many days of the month abroad or on conference calls between 0630 and 1100 with the Far East. So it is extremely difficult for me to sit on a phone for an age trying to get an appt to see my GP. I have had an abdominal complaint for over six weeks. The inflexibility, lack of empathy and intransigence of the staff at GPS Meadowside is nothing short of appalling. My wife has tried to make an appointment on my behalf whilst I've been overseas. She has tried to explain the situation but, alas, no. The reception staff demonstrate their usual intolerance and inflexibility. Let me remind you of the GPS Values: "Agile – We understand that there are times when we need to adapt our ways of working to meet the needs of the individual or group we are supporting. We learn as we go and we share that learning amongst our peers and external partners". What absolute utter rubbish!!!!!!! I've had to take a day off work and work from home just to try and get an appointment. I've been on the line over 25 minutes now and still above number 30 in the queue. I somehow doubt today will be a success. Disgusting practive behaviour and yet it openly displays a message that they are taking on new patients. They cannot manage the patients they already have on their books. This surgery needs to be closed to all new patient applications and the staff retrained to understand that not everyone's situation is the same and have the flexibility to fit into their totally inflexible system.

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Responses

Response from Meadowside Family Health Centre nearly 2 years ago
Meadowside Family Health Centre
Submitted on 04/10/2023 at 13:47
Published on nhs.uk at 20:40


Dear Patient, thank you for you feedback, my name is Balvinder Devi I am the Governance and Compliance Manager and I would like to take this opportunity to apologise for any inconvenience casused. We are faced with unprecedented demand and we have had to look at innovative ways to meet the increasing demand. We are offering an increased amount of on the day appointments and we are not booking in advance. I understand that this can be inconvenient and we are looking at ways to ensure we can book some appointments as and when needed. We do have an option for you to complete a short form online if you cannot wait on the phone. Unfortunately we do not have an infinite amount of appointments. I would also like to reassure you that we are fully aware of our values and our staff are trained and communicated with regarding all updates and all changes with our staff.

Many Thanks

Balvinder Devi

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