Beversbrook Medical Centre

Beversbrook Medical Centre 2023-01-04 Person 1 5 0

I telephoned the surgery one day to try and book an appointment. I got sent away to go online the next day at 8am and fill something in to get a same day phone call. When I went online to do this, I got a message saying there were no appointments and I should ring the practice. So a day later, I am back to square one. When I rang I did eventually get through to a receptionist and was offered an appointment with a practice nurse but will have to wait 5 days for this. Without wishing to be rude to practice nurses, who I am sure do a great job, I asked why people cannot see doctors any more and if they are not seeing us patients, where are they? I was told they were busy with Scarlet Fever and Strep A cases. I pointed out that we have not been able to see doctors since long before these outbreaks happened. The receptionist said she could raise this and get someone to ring me. I asked if it would be likely to be much later than the date of the practice nurse appointment and was told yes probably. So I felt I had to accept an appointment with a prcatice nurse. As I am asked for my review, I would say that while I am sure the receptionist and the practice nurse are doing the best they can, the service we are getting from Patford House rubbish. It is a Doctors' Surgery where you cannot see a doctor. This is not really good enough. But my impression is that I will leave this review and nothing will change. I feel that the practice is saying, 'You can only have this, take it or leave it', and that really they are hoping we'll just put up with it forever or give up and go away.

I feel that I should have been offered an appointment with a doctor. This seems lik stating the obvious really and should not be a thing that could have been done better. It seems like the minimum I should have been offered.

Beversbrook Medical Centre 2023-01-03 Person 5 5 0

Together with my family, I have been taking care of my mother's complex health condition at a very critical time during strikes and A&E surges. We have even had to call ambulances on multiple occasions. That is before we discovered the expert help of the practice manager Julie Taylor and the various doctors (Dr Church, Dr Astin and Dr Brizell who have all been involved) at Patford House/Beversbrook Surgery. Without them, I dread to think what the outcome might have been. I have updated the team with emailed images of oedema, shared worrying oximeter stats, sent requests for urgent medicines and the rest. Julie's response has been fantastic. I have been overwhelmed by not just the support, but the kindness our family has been shown. I am a firm believer in keeping doctors updated with information in a concise and easy-to-read manner, that way they are aware of facts and a bit of history and are better able to make clinical judgements and to help. Too often doctors and surgeries are criticised and to my mind this just isn't fair. Help them to help you! Calne is also very fortunate in having the amazing Northlands Chemist who keep long opening hours. The staff there are excellent.

Encourage older people to keep you updated about their problems rather than suffer in silence until they hit crisis point. Communication is key. I would, however, level this comment at the NHS as a whole.

Beversbrook Medical Centre 2023-01-03 Person 1 5 0

I'm fed up still hearing that reason for trying to get hold of a doctor is still down to COVID. trying to get phone the doctors surgery is a nightmare.. there keep telling us that technology makes our life better ( in some cases probably true) but for us .I think it's just made life worse.lets go back 20 years ago when life was so much easier and we could see a doctor

Answer the phone when it rings

Beversbrook Medical Centre 2022-12-12 Person 1 5 0

Impossible to see a GP, such a frustrating system when you’re feeling ill.

Same day appointments with helpful staff who show some empathy.

Beversbrook Medical Centre 2022-11-29 Person 4 5 0

What a dreadful set-up this new P.O.D. System is! Been trying to get through to order repeat prescription now for over two weeks…. this morning I was 57th in the queue waiting to be answered.

Not use P.O.D. System