What I liked
I have used other walk-in services in other areas and always found them very efficient and useful, particularly when I am not in my local area or easy reach of my GP. I was expecting similar standards at Bensham, however I was left disappointed.
What could be improved
I visited the walk-in center on 25/09/2010 as I was not within easy reach of my local GP. After registering my arrival at the reception desk I was told there would be a 30 minute wait to be seen.
30 minutes came and went and eventually after waiting for 1 hour I was seen by a nurse who paid little attention to my problem and a porter/trainee nurse directed me straight back to the waiting room. No apology was made for the delay, and after waiting so long my assessment took less than a 90 seconds. I felt as if I was only seen in order to satisfy a waiting time target. I was told that there would be a further 3 hour wait to be seen again. That would result in a 4 hour wait in order to have my basic problem seen to.
After returning to the waiting area I asked the people sitting next to me how long they'd been waiting and they'd been there even longer than that; so I gave up waiting and went home without my problem being properly seen to or resolved.
The waiting room is uninspiring and very uncomfortable, metal chairs are not suitable for such a long wait.
Anything else?
Car parking charges are also excessive. Reception are is not very private when giving details.
"I have used other walk-in services in..."
About: Bensham Hospital Bensham Hospital Gateshead NE8 4YL
Posted via nhs.uk
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