"Confusion over Covid Booster Spring 2025"

Having received notification from the Practice telling me I was eligible for a Covid Booster, I made the next available appointment at Cross Road Surgery, Weymouth for Sunday 18 May at 10.03. On arrival I found the surgery closed. I had not or have not since had any explanation or apology as to why! I then booked an appointment by the NHS app. at the Well Pharmacy Crescent Street, Weymouth for 10.10 on Monday 9 June. On arrival, after some delay, I was asked by the Pharmacist for proof of eligibility, which I did not have. She suggested popping into the Crescent Street Surgery located next to the pharmacy. I did this and spoke to a receptionist. She looked at my medical records and confirmed that I was indeed eligible to receive the booster. She also remarked that there had been other patients, who like me had appointments at Cross Road Surgery in May to find it was closed. They too, it appears, had not been notified. Today I gave spoken to Dorchester Road surgery about the matter and was informed they would report the matter for further investigation.

I returned to the pharmacy, informing them of my eligibilty, which they could verify by telephone call to Crecent Street surgery. I have now had the booster!

My concerns are two fold. One; what happened to communication from the Practice. Two; why could I not raise my concerns by email with the Practice. I did not have a complaint requiring detailed inquiry. In fact the past support I have had from my Practce been exemplary. In today's world I see no valid reason for not being able to deal with matters by e-mail. Phoning the surgery, waiting some twenty minutes for the call to be answered then using up receptionist time to deal there and then with the matter, having no idea how busy they might be, is not the most efficient means of communication. The other inherent weakness of just verbal dialogue is mis-understanding and the openess to denial and accussation. If this review can be noted by the Practice and by it's patient representative group, then so much the better. I have nothing but praise for the individuals working in the NHS but sometimes question its management, structures and transparency. Thank you