Share review of Ashdown Forest Health Centre

Ashdown Forest Health Centre 2023-12-20 Person 1 5 0

I have had acute gastrointestinal problems for 16 days and are thus feeling extremely unwell. When I had the embarrassment of submitting a stool sample the receptionist pulled a disgusted face, asked me to make sure the bag was closed properly and then went to get a large yellow bin, which she held up in front of the full waiting room, and asked me to throw it in. I felt utterly humiliated and left the surgery in tears. I then got a text to say my results were normal. I rang to ask if the doctor would therefore need to speak to me to decide what to do next. The lady I spoke to was very rude and said ‘no why would they?’ I explained that I still had gastroenteritis and just wondered if the doctor had noted a treatment plan. To which she replied angrily ‘can you imagine us having a treatment plan for everyone we do tests on. Do you know how many we do?’ I explained again that I still had symptoms even though the Giardia results were negative. She then said ‘well you need to see a doctor then. Call back tomorrow’ I worked in the veterinary field for 30 years. My daughter works in the NHS. I understand how things work in a busy GP practice but I still think patients deserve to be treated with respect and empathy. We are not all wasting the doctors time. I have been polite and patient in every interaction I have had with all staff. I have not at any point been rude or demanding.

Been more professional and empathetic. Not reacted to an ‘unpleasant sample’ knowing how embarrassing it is for the patient. To not be dismissive and discourteous when a patient suggests that the doctor might have written a treatment plan in the notes. I was not rude, I merely suggested that the doctor might have noted what to do if the Giardia test came back negative.