"Complaint"

I was sent correspondence advising that my son was due for his immunisations. There was no appointment detailed in the correspondence, so I duly contacted the surgery and was advised that it would be better to attend the baby clinic on Tuesday afternoons from 1: 30pm for vaccinations. I was advised that it was a drop in so no appointment would be necessary. I attended to be advised that the Nurse had gone home sick and as such the clinic was cancelled.

I called a week later to ensure that the clinic was going ahead given my wasted trip the previous week. I was advised that it was and that the clinic would start at 1: 30 so I should attend around 1: 15 to ensure I would be seen. Initially I did not think that I could attend so early in the afternoon due to childcare for my toddler, however I made an appointment (by this time my child will be nearly 11w and only just accessing his 8w immunisations). I managed to make alternative childcare arrangements and as such I was able to attend the clinic. When I arrived at 13: 10 I waited in line, the waiting room was fairy empty, only to be told, that despite arriving 15 mins early there were only 4 appointments and they had all been taken. I was offered the option of booking an appointment a week later. Given that I had previously booked an earlier appointment I declined.

I am of the opinion that the fact that the current system of booking is ridiculous. Each time I call I am told there are no appointments for that day and to try again tomorrow and that there are "no pre-bookables" more often than not. Why wasn't I offered the option to book the immunisations when I first called? Why wasn't I seen today, despite the fact that my child requires immunising? Why can I not attend another surgery or nurse to have the vaccinations?

My child's vaccinations will now be delayed, and as I understand it from my heath visitor, they must be spaced 4 weeks apart. This is two weeks on the run that I have not managed to secure an appointment for immunisations. It seems to me that to offer a drop in with just 4 slots is highly ineffective. I am absolutely horrified that I am unable to vaccinate my child at the recommended number of weeks due to your surgery.

Additionally, my previous experience with lodging my toddlers stool samples was below the standard that I expect, the samples were not labelled and so screening was not undertake, The letter advising of this came a few weeks later and asked us to repeat. the samples IF the symptoms persisted. At the time of correspondence, they had ceased. However, they then appeared again. I was unable to get an appointment when I called and was told that there were no appointments and to attend the walk in. I then had to explain to a receptionist that I was unable to just sit in a walk in with a 21 month old and an 9w old child as it was simply not practical. It was only at that stage that I was offered an appointment at Nutgrove which would be booked. Again, it begs the question, why I had to relay information before I was offered an appointment, elsewhere, which was quite clearly available.

Whilst I am immensely grateful for the healthcare available, the level of service when it comes to being able to access it has been nothing short of appalling. I look forward to hearing from you with your comments.