I had a blood test I asked if it showed abnormal results and was told that the surgery would contact me. So, after 7 days as I was still unwell, I phoned them and was told I needed an appointment with my GP. Earliest available appointment was in 14 days. My GP told me I had diabetes and I needed medication to start straight away and further tests. My GP is not at fault but appointments for such a serious condition should be within a few days. Multiple times blood tests I have had to wait over at least 14 days for an GP appointment, each time its due to a new serious condition. I have even ended up in hospital for several days receiving treatment because I have become too unwell to wait for my GP appointment. They need clerical staff to phone you to arrange with you an appointment. Your GP should have emergency appointments available for follow up treatment. Reception staff should listen and help you rather than be indifferent and unhelpful. Something needs to change as this dangerous.
Can only make telephone or online appointment. I have a very personal problem that I have no wish to describe to anyone but my GP in person. No longer possible so it gets worse.
Earlier today I sent through an online form requesting a face to face appointment for my wife. I received an automated text, as expected, confirming receipt of my online request. I later checked my wife's Airmid app which is what we use for tracking appointments, medical records lab results etc. It said there was an appointment with a doctor booked for 16.35. No communication other than this had been received from the Practice. So how is a patient expected to know an appointment has been made. We duly attended at the required time, checked in with the Receptionist who asked us to wait in Waiting Room A. And we waited, and we waited and my wife wa getting more distressed. We asked the Receptionist if she could check with the doctor and we were told he was running behind and we could wait or return home and the doctor would call us. We wanted to wait as we had requested a face to face appointment. We waited one hour and when we did see the doctor, he said he had it down as a telephone appointment. This part of the system, how the Practice interfaces with Airmid needs reviewing. This is not the first time I have had to call the Practice to establish whether an appointment is a telephone call or a face to face appointment.
Have got on going health issues.. my doctor requested several test. Bloods .. ecg.. X-ray.. blood pressure..
And I’ve had no follow up!
I now wear prescription stockings after nurse said I had poor circulation. I’ve had no explanation or follow-up from my doctor. A few years ago I had an endoscopy I was told I have polyps my doctor was not even aware of this. I’ve requested a face-to-face appointment several times all I have had is a three minute phone call.I just feel there is no more doctor patient communication..
They don’t have the time or inclination to sort out health issues by themselves. So they refer you into services at the hospital who do not have appointments or you end up in the care of 111 and AAnd E. AAnd E admit themselves that they’re not that best at managing medication as GPS do it everyday!! They never do home visits and they seem to be patient phobic- there’s never anyone in the surgery and no call queue as busy surgery’s have.
I have always ordered my medication on the online prescription site. The last few times I am unable to use the online system out of surgery hours. I work all week and am unable to order during theses times. I thought the whole idea was it was accessible for all.
Having booked an appointment for my husband and myself on Sat 24th Sept 2022, 10am and 10.10am, we expected to be through the system speedily. This was based on our previous experiences at this site.
However, when we arrived this morning the queue was already 1hr 30 mins long , and snaking all around the building.
On enquiring why there was such a wait, we were informed that anyone with an appointment was being allowed in. We asked whether those with appointments at 10am we’re being allowed in at that time, we were told that it was a case of joining the queue.
We went away and did some shopping, returned and there was no change.
We came away, we do not see why the appointment system that worked perfectly on previous occasions, had gone so badly wrong.
We were not prepared to wait in the queue for that length of time. We appreciate that there may be delays for various reasons, but not the chaos that we saw this morning.
Also, the traffic backing up from the centre past Morrison’s roundabout and out onto the main road was causing problems for many people who had no idea why !
I went to Reception at Fakenham Medical Practice today (6 Sept). It was totally empty apart from the receptionist. I asked if I could make an appointment to see a doctor and the receptionist told me I had to make a request on-line.
I am literally standing there with no-one else in the reception area and asking the question ‘why is it a problem to book an appointment at the desk, if you are there.’
As you can see, I am computer savvy, and it’s not about not wanting to do it on-line, it’s just that, the old options have been taken away to put the new option in place - which leaves me only one option. Where is the sense in that please?
Hence my heading “No Flexibility”, no common sense.
Submitted by Collected by Healthwatch Norfolk Staff12th August 2022
Before Covid it would've been 5 stars. They are good at regular check ups for my long term issues. Trying to get an appointment is terrible. I don't use online. I called and couldn't get through, so I came in today to book one. I was told they couldn't do it in-person and I needed to go home and call. When I do get a phone appointment with the doctor there's never a time. I just have to stay in all day and wait by the phone. I find it all very confusing. I don't know who my named GP is anymore or if I have one.
Submitted by Collected by Healthwatch Norfolk Staff12th August 2022
I sent a photo of a mole to them 10 days ago and have not had a response. I called and couldn't get through. Pre-Covid I always got appointments and blood tests easily with no wait. It was fantastic. The staff are lovely, but I think they've lost a lot since covid.