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"Poor communication/follow up"

About: General practices in Tayside

(as a service user),

I called GP surgery as advised at 8am in morning and spoke to receptionist at 815am regarding pain medication review and concerns that my sick line was away to run out and no improvement with medication. I was advised that I would  receive call from GP in a short time to discuss.  I received telephone call 3 hours later from receptionist to be told I would need to book an telephone appointment this week as no appointments were left for today despite me already booking one this morning. When telling receptionist I had already made appointment she explained she was only advised to call me and that she would go back and discuss further then get back to me. Later in day, I was advised by telephone call from another receptionist that I could get telephone appointment next day, I again explain my appointment was made this morning and I was expecting GP to call. I highlighted that I realised it was not receptionist's fault, but the system and as I work for NHS this delay is impacting on my own return to work. 

I felt that despite calling early to get an appointment my own health needs were not being met. Despite the receptionists being understanding and compassionate it is very frustrating that the system is very unfair. With patients being told to call in at 8am to make an appointment and advised they have an appointment, to be then told that they need to make another appointment as there are no appointments left? 

It is very confusing for patients and I understand  from what receptionists have shared that there are staff shortages, however this service at present does very little to reassure service users that their health worries are being listened to and their needs are being met.

I am aware that the NHS in overwhelmed and understaffed and as a health professional it is upsetting to experience this type of service as a service user.

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Responses

Response from Victoria Sullivan, Project Manager, Elective Medicine, NHS Tayside about a year and a half ago
Victoria Sullivan
Project Manager, Elective Medicine,
NHS Tayside

Project manage and facilitate change programmes, transformation and service redesign across Elective Medicine services within NHS Tayside

Submitted on 13/05/2024 at 15:22
Published on Care Opinion at 15:22


picture of Victoria Sullivan

Dear ophiuchushw87

Thank you for taking the time to provide this feedback about the frustration you're experiencing in accessing appointments at your GP practice. Unfortunately, because GP practices are independent businesses, they not part of the Care Opinion subscription at this time so we're unable to share this with your practice.

Feedback enables an organisation to reflect, identify areas for improvement and revise any processes as required. We would therefore recommend that you feedback your experience directly to the practice to enable them to do this. Your GP Surgery's Practice Manager will be able to provide you with details of how to provide this feedback to them, as per their Complaints and Feedback Policy.

With best wishes for your recovery and return to work.

Victoria Sullivan

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