"A Frustrating Experience"

As a patient of Aurora Medcare, I've encountered several frustrating experiences. Securing an appointment often feels like winning a lottery. Twice, I've called promptly at 8 am, only to hear that the queue was already full.

The receptionists, unfortunately, can be unhelpful. On one occasion, I was directed to the pharmacy instead of the GP as soon as I provided my non-English surname. It took persistent questioning to eventually secure an appointment, and even then, the attitude was less than friendly.

Booking appointments for my entire family has also been a challenge. We've been given three separate slots in two different surgeries, a significant inconvenience. It's unclear whether this was a decision of the receptionist or a result of a poor booking system.

While the doctors, especially at King Edwards surgery, are generally competent, occasional encounters with less helpful staff have tarnished the experience. I was once told off for seeking care from a private doctor when I couldn't secure any appointment through Aurora Medcare.

On the positive side: I have noticed that the punctuality improved. Previously, I often had to wait over 20 minutes for appointments, but now they are generally on time.

Overall, Aurora Medcare's service is clearly oversubscribed, and they continue to take on new patients. This, coupled with the occasional negative experiences with receptionists, makes it a frustrating ordeal for patients.