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

After care what a joke

Story from nhs.uk

"After care what a joke"

About: Highbridge Medical Centre

I had to have minor surgery at Weston hospital, and was referred back to Highbridge medical centre for my aftercare, the nurse at Weston general spent a good 30/45 mins to get though to Highbridge medical centre to arrange my aftercare, once they finally got though they were told both nurses were off sick and I would have to go to Burnham hospital for my dressing to get changed, so yesterday I went to Burnham hospital to get it sorted, once in the room I could tell they didn’t really want to do it as they kept saving this should be done at the medical centre really, before I left I was told to go back to Highbridge medical centre for a dressing change next day as there short on the supplies to change my dressing, if I had to go back to Burnham hospital I needed a prescription for the supplies to change my dressing, so off I went back to Highbridge medical centre to make a oppointment only to be told there short staffed and the next oppointment was Tuesday I could have with there nurse, so I explained to them what Burnham hospital had said and they said there try and get something sorted for me, I had a phone call around 6pm and the lady on the phone said they had 2 weeks off appointments for me at the medical centre and a prescription for the stuff I needed as I would have to go back to Burnham hospital on Friday/Saturday/Sunday for my dressing to be changed, so I send my wife in to collect the prescription for me and when she went to the chemist they said that’s £26 please, she said I don’t have to pay for it because I’m having to go somewhere else to get my treatment as Highbridge is short staffed and he shouldn’t be paying for it as if I was coming here it would be free, but they wouldn’t accept that and she had to pay, im really not happy about the aftercare I have received from Highbridge medical centre or Burnham hospital and will be taking this further...............

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

Responses

Response from Highbridge Medical Centre 6 years ago
Highbridge Medical Centre

Submitted on 29/01/2018 at 16:18
Published on nhs.uk on 21/02/2018 at 16:57

We apologise that our normal dressing service was not available for a short time due to several members of our nursing team being unwell and not at work.

Unfortunately, we were unable to assist you ourselves due to these unforeseen circumstances but as per an agreed process Burnham MIU is the next provider of this service in such an event.

We again apologise that you felt passed from pillar to post when you felt unwell.

Ideally the practice should assess, deal with and review the dressings each day to ensure the best possible outcome but in this instance we had to rely on the back up provider.

Regarding the wait for the telephone to be answered we have had to report to the provider that our telephones have not been ringing or calls get cut off on some days, sometimes for up to a couple of hours each day.

When the phones have finally come back on we have dealt with a back log of calls to the best of our ability.

This is not ideal but we are working on the problem and apologise for any delay you have suffered.

We have now spoken to you directly to discuss these issues and have provided more information.

Unfortunately, dressings, much like medications are supplied and charged for as a normal prescription to any patient under the age of 65 and who is not otherwise exempt or pre-pays.

The dressings would have incurred a prescription cost wherever the dressings were applied, unless as mentioned you are exempt.

We understand you are now booked with our nurses for further follow up treatment, at which point please feel free to ask for further information or please ask to speak with the Practice Manager.

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