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Ashdown Forest Health Centre 2017-05-19 Person 3 5 0

Although usually a great experience my partner visited today with our 18 month old twins and daughter age 6. She was unable to bring anyone to help look after the children in the waiting room and our 18 month-old daughter crawled into the receptionists area as the door had been left open. My partner went in to retrieve her, but she crawled in a second time. When my partner went in a second time to retrieve her and apologise, she asked them to keep the door closed so that the babies couldn't crawl in, but was told in blunt terms that they 'couldn't close the door'. After the doctor had seen our son, my partner (carrying both babies) and daughter came out to the waiting area and she had to put our daughter down again , who again crawled into the receptionists area. Our 6 year old went in to fetch her and was told by the receptionist that 'she would have to get her out'. My partner was very upset at being spoke to in this way and asked what she was supposed to do, when trying to shepherd twins and our daughter. The receptionist said she would close the door (too late now) and fortunately two very kind ladies in the waiting room helped my partner out to the car with the children and comforted her. This situation should never have happened. The door to the receptionist area should remain closed not least as the room contains confidential patient records. It would have been simple to have shut the door to ensure that children who visit cannot wander in by accident. There is no excuse for rudeness and an unwillingness to help a patient who is clearly under stress looking after two babies and a 6 year old. This was an example of poor patient care and poor attitude on behalf of the reception staff, none of whom came to help.