I joined this surgery after moving to the area last year based on the high number of GPs in the practice, and the long opening hours. Both are misleading as you cannot get an appointment outside of working hours, and the only appointments I've managed to get are emergency, on-the-day, following telephone triage.
The opening times stated online are wrong so you can waste a lot of time in the morning trying to get through to a closed line; and even when open the reception staff do not answer the phone - today's wait to speak to someone was over 10 minutes before the phone was picked up. In the past I was made to use the app by reception, but now this consistently states that there are no appointments available.
Even appointments that need (and should) be booked in advance (such as a required 25wk GP maternity appointment) cannot be arranged until the week/day as their systems only seem to allow apts for that week to be booked.
I was also on one occasion (whilst 4 months pregnant and in a lot of pain) written a prescription that could not be dispensed - I returned to the surgery that evening within their opening hours and they made me wait to the following day for it to be reissued.
This surgery has a private laser clinic attached to it, and it often feels in reception that NHS patients are an afterthought.
That said, other than the mix up with my prescription the medical care I have recieved has been fine - however the overall service means that it is not a practice I would recommend. I am now registering at an alternative surgery in the area, as I don't have any faith that should I or my baby need to see a GP that they would be able to help/even answer the phone
I'd strongly recommend registering elsewhere.
"Terrible - moving practices"
About: Brigstock Family Practice Brigstock Family Practice Thornton Heath CR7 7JH
Posted via nhs.uk
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