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"Next nurse appointment 3 months away!! Ridiculous"

About: Willowbrook Medical Centre (Jg Astles)

I was low on my contraceptive pill. I phoned to book an appointment to have a review with the nurse to prescribe me more pills. The receptionist said she could not get me an appointment until 3 weeks time! I wasn't happy but went with the appointment. Later in the week I received a letter to say this appointment has been cancelled by the practice and for me to call to 're arrange. I called twice in one week but could not speak with the receptionist as the practice was on training and this was twice for each time I rang. Finally got through to reception a week later, to be told there are no nurse appointments for 3 months, so I asked to see the doctor to prescribe my contraceptive pill as I don't want to be without, the receptionist said she could not pre book. The receptionist put me down for a phone call a week later, which I explained will not be helpful to me as I work and I can't have my phone on me, and the nurse finishes at 2pm! The receptionist then said I can go to the Haymarket for a swab!! Presuming I won't get any pills.

I was very shocked to be asked to do this, all i want to do is book to get a prescription for the contraceptive pill. I am absolutely disgusted with this practice, the phone system is awful and the duty for customer care is appalling. I'm thinking of leaving this practice for good.

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Responses

Response from Willowbrook Medical Centre (Jg Astles) 4 years ago
Willowbrook Medical Centre (Jg Astles)
Submitted on 16/07/2019 at 14:56
Published on nhs.uk at 15:07


We are sorry that you have had a poor experience with the practice, due to recent staff illness and the retirement of a nurse who has been at the practice for over 20 years, we are experiencing a shortage of nursing appointments. We are currently advertising for the position and expect to have a replacement nurse in the next few months. In the meantime, patients can request an emergency supply of the contraceptive pill, they can also attend the contraception clinics held at the Haymarket Centre (Formerly St Peters) (0300 1240102) or contact SHACC (0800 7566277) to obtain an appointment at a more convenient time and place.

Please consider signing up to Docly, which offers direct contact with doctors and can help with an expanding range of conditions. It is possible that with this you will not need to come into the surgery.

Available appointments are released at 0600 online, so this is the best resource to check if you need an on-the-day appointment. Failing this, the CCG has set up several HUBS, which offer appointments and were set up to deal with the current resource problems with GP practices.

Please be assured we take all feedback seriously and are more than happy to discuss this further.

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