Share review of Cwmbran Village Surgery

Cwmbran Village Surgery 2021-02-03 Person 1 5 0

Whenever my wife and I have attended the surgery in the past year, there have been a number of instances where proper COVID-19 policies weren't followed. The GP surgery operates an open door policy, meaning people can come and go freely - unlike some other GP surgeries, and also some smaller hospitals in the area. The practice manager has even stated to us that "they can't prevent people accessing the surgery"! In addition to this, yesterday I had the worst healthcare experience of my life there. I attended the surgery with my baby daughter for her vaccinations (I have attended for my son's vaccinations previously without issues). On entering the room, the nurse looked at me a bit shocked and said "I was expecting mum". I was surprised and after a few seconds I pointed out that both my wife and I had communicated to reception and practice manager staff that I would be attending instead of my wife. The nurse kept saying that she couldn't do anything without "mum's consent", and even stated that I "might not be on the birth certificate"! After some back and forth (where we were both raising our voices, but we never shouted at each other), the nurse also said "the problem with dad's is... well, do you even know what paracetamol you need to give today?". I answered her saying that I had Calpol with me and I regularly give this to my children, and she then asked me three more quiz questions (including snarkily asking me "do you EVEN know what vaccinations are being given today?'", which I of course did because I am a competent dad!). She kept trying to catch me out and prove that I was somehow incapable of being there with my daughter. The nurse's behaviour felt like discrimination, since it was purely based on me being a dad/male. This was a very bizarre and upsetting experience. Despite me being upset and feeling intimidated at times, the practice manager was uninterested in my side of the story.

Have competent reception/practice manager staff, and also ensure that medical staff are aware of parental responsibility rules.