"New appointment booking system fails patients"

I am fortunate I rarely need to see a GP which is just as well as this surgery's new appointment system fails patients.

Whilst the principle of a 'triage' style system is, in my opinion, a possible solution to the appointment crisis hitting many GP surgeries Sidney House has regrettably failed in its implementation strategies to ensure their new system works as it was intended.

It is practically impossible to get through by phone, usually entails at least a 30 minute ordeal, necessitates constant re-dialling from 8am and even if you are lucky enough to get to speak to a receptionist usually all the appointments have gone and you are told to repeat the process at 8am the next day.

The only sure way to get a same-day phone consultation is to physically attend the surgery at 8am and speak to a receptionist in person. The on line system is only suitable for appointments needed a long time in advance and even then you have to be very quick off the mark to get an appointment.

Their best GP left a little while ago, can't say I blame them, if this system is indicative of the way the practice is managed.