Text size

Theme

Language

"No chance of ever seeing a doctor"

About: Birley Health Centre

You get advised to call up at 8.30 to make an appointment, on average it takes 97 calls to even get through to the automated voice recording you then have to wait to speak to the receptionists who often hang up the call before saying hello so by the time I've eventually got through its about 9am by which time I'm told all appointments are gone how is this possible unless there's not enough doctors to cover the amount of patients for the surgery, did I mention I also called up 14 consecutive working week days to try and get a appointment luckily a drs appointment came available on the online booking service which I'm amazed with as it's the first drs appointment I've seen on there in the year I've been with the surgery, this is appalling I have a stoma and when my stoma nurse thinks it's important for me to see a doctor and there's no appointments available what do I do from this point? I never get offered a telephone appointment or an appointment at another surgery. Atleast when I was pregnant I go given an appointment to see the midwife or nurse and because they realised my need to see a doctor they got me seen as an emergency, as I've got a incurable health condition, a young baby and don't live within walking distance of the surgery would take me atleast 45mins with a pram as public transport doesn't go near the drs I'm unable to attend meetings where patients can give there say, if only I could fill in a survey maybe that would make a difference I just don't know, I'm sure the response I get from the surgery on here will also be an I'm sorry we try our best but that's not going to solve my inability to get future appointments I might aswell resort to calling 111 who always get me an emergency appointment and correct care and treatment.

nhs.uk logo
Do you have a similar story to tell? Tell your story & make a difference ››

Responses

Response from Birley Health Centre 6 years ago
Birley Health Centre
Submitted on 11/06/2018 at 10:47
Published on nhs.uk at 12:06


Good Morning

I'm not sure from your comments if you have an appointment booked or not. If not please call the surgery, if you can pass on as much information as possible that will help the receptionists to navigate you to the right clinician. If you need help from a doctor today the duty doctor will be able to call you and together you can decide what is required. I agree with you the phones are very busy, at this point the practice has answered and dealt with 289 calls. Do you know we also provide a bus service two days a week for patients who do not have their own transport, this may be useful for you?

As your comments are anonymous I am unable to contact you directly however if you want to call I'm sure we can resolve any issues you may have.

Regards

Mrs K Haigh

Practice Manager

Birley Health Centre

  • {{helpful}} {{helpful == 1 ? "person thinks" : "people think"}} this response is helpful
Opinions
Next Response j
Previous Response k