This is Care Opinion [siteRegion]. Did you want Care Opinion [usersRegionBasedOnIP]?
Care Opinion

Trying to get a booking

Posted By zulunn49

"Trying to get a booking"

About: Chard Hospital

(as a service user),

I've tried to get a booking for a Podiatry appointment to have an ingrowing toenail treated. However, whenever I call the number I have been given for Chard Hospital no one is answering the phone. In desperation I even went to Chard Hospital, bearing in mind I live in Frome, all the staff at the hospital were able to say is that I need to ring the number, the team are understaffed. 

I'd like to give feedback about how the appointment went and the treatment I received - if only it would happen.

More about:
Do you have a similar story to tell? Tell your story & make a difference ››

Responses

Response from Jenny Langdon, Patient and Public Involvement Officer, Somerset Partnership NHS Foundation Trust 5 years ago
We are preparing to make a change
Jenny Langdon
Patient and Public Involvement Officer,
Somerset Partnership NHS Foundation Trust

Listens to patients, families and carers

Submitted on 11/10/2018 at 16:29
Published on Care Opinion on 12/10/2018 at 10:11

picture of Jenny Langdon

Dear zulunn49,

I am really sorry to hear about the difficulties you're having in trying to get an appointment with the Podiatry Service. I completely understand your frustrations. I have made contact with the service manager to find out what is going on, and we will be looking into how we are managing bookings as a matter of urgency.

In the meantime, please contact the Patient Advice and Liaison Service on 01278 432022 who will hopefully be able to help you with your appointment booking.

Myself or a colleague will post a further comment when we have more information for you.

I apologise again for your frustrating experience.

Jenny

  • {{helpful}} {{helpful == 1 ? "person thinks" : "people think"}} this response is helpful
Response from Lucy Nicholls, Inclusion Manager, Somerset Partnership NHS Foundation Trust 5 years ago
We have made a change
Lucy Nicholls
Inclusion Manager,
Somerset Partnership NHS Foundation Trust

All things around equality, inclusion, diversity and access for patients and staff.

Submitted on 12/11/2018 at 11:36
Published on Care Opinion at 13:52

picture of Lucy Nicholls

Hello,

I hope you've been able to get your appointment sorted out.

The Podiatry Service Manager has passed me the following update, which I hope is helpful and reassures you that we are trying to sort out the problems with the booking service:

"I am very sorry for the problems caused. We have bank staff starting in both booking offices and we are recruiting to 100 hours of admin staff with interviews planned for next week.

Looking at the call numbers waiting, at the end of last week we had on average 50 people waiting and today we have an average of 20.

With regards to patients being able to book an appointment via the hospital-this is not something that we are able to offer as there is not the staff or systems in place to be able to support this.

I hope that both reassures you that we are being proactive in the management of these challenges and answers your questions."

Hopefully it will be easier to make an appointment going forwards. I am very sorry for all the inconvenience this has caused you and I hope that you have now got a suitable appointment.

Kind regards,

LUCY

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