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Out of hours Belfast building

Posted By maureeni52

"Out of hours Belfast building"

About: Belfast Health & Social Care Trust / GP out of hours

(as the patient),

I had to collect a prescription at the out of hours service. It's a portacabin opposite the main Mater Hospital. I squeezed past 4 people in the porch to a small room which was the waiting area. There was 8 adults plus myself, 2 babies, (one in a pram) and a young boy in this small area.

I don't know what it's like for the doctor and staff working in a portacabin but it didn't  feel a healthy space for myself. I have been to another out of hours and it was a modern bright spacious building.

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Responses

Response from Jane Sheridan, inerim service manager Ambulatory care/PTU/GPOOH and service improvement, Ambulatory care/PTU and GPOOH, BHSCT about a year and a half ago
Jane Sheridan
inerim service manager Ambulatory care/PTU/GPOOH and service improvement, Ambulatory care/PTU and GPOOH,
BHSCT

Submitted on 15/11/2023 at 16:45
Published on Care Opinion at 16:45

dear maureeni52

my name is Jane Sheridan, I am the service manager for the OOH service. thank you for your feedback on the OOH service on the Crumlin road. We appreciate it is a small space and that you were in the OOH department at a busy period.

We would like to have a new building and are aware the facilities are only temporary and do our best to ensure the experience for the public is the best we can provide with the infrastructure we have.

I hope you were not waiting long and apologies if this was difficult for you at this time.

kind regards

Jane

  • {{helpful}} {{helpful == 1 ? "person thinks" : "people think"}} this response is helpful

Update posted by maureeni52 (the patient)

Dear Jane,

Thank you for your response.

However, I'm not sure about your description of this being a temporary facility. It's at least 5 years ago that I had to use North & West Out of Hours and I was surprised then that it was a portacabin rather than a proper building.

I'm not sure how you could regulate the number of people turning up to collect prescriptions. Also, it was raining on Sunday and you can't expect people to queue up outside, particularly if they are unwell and need to be seen by a doctor.

Response from Jane Sheridan, inerim service manager Ambulatory care/PTU/GPOOH and service improvement, Ambulatory care/PTU and GPOOH, BHSCT about a year and a half ago
Jane Sheridan
inerim service manager Ambulatory care/PTU/GPOOH and service improvement, Ambulatory care/PTU and GPOOH,
BHSCT

Submitted on 16/11/2023 at 12:56
Published on Care Opinion at 12:56

Dear maureeni52

yes you are absolutely right it has been there for I understand longer than 5 years and was placed a temporary building. I have escalated this to our redevelopment team as we would like improved accommodation. I will be taking your comments on the no. of people and regulation of this back to the management team to discuss further how we may review this.

Appreciate your feedback on this.

kind regards

Jane

  • {{helpful}} {{helpful == 1 ? "person thinks" : "people think"}} this response is helpful
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