Meridian Surgery

Written by a patient

Having moved from a terrible surgery in Saltdean, I've found most of the doctors at Meridian are a credit to the surgery. My GP is brilliant, genuinely cares and listens. I'm very involved in my treatment and as I have a long term condition I feel she treats me like a real person, allowing me to make suggestions and choices about treatment. However, the appointment system has never really worked- it has always been constantly trying to get through in the morning, with a wait of an hour or more and it seems even worse now. Telephone appointments are so convenient and having online appointments has been very helpful for booking in advance, but if you wake up with a problem then it's very difficult to get an appointment on the day. Maybe they should do all appointments online except for the elderly or emergencies, then at least you could instantly book for the next day if you don't get one the same day. Added to this I have found repeat prescriptions are now processed very slowly. They say to wait 2-3 working days but the past couple of months I've had to phone the surgery to hurry them up as my prescription hadn't been sent to the pharmacy 5 working days later. It's very handy to submit them online, but not so handy if you don't know how long it'll take to be processed.

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Appointment

Written by a patient

After having a Chest X-Ray I received a phone message the same evening advising that I had an infection in my lungs and that antibiotics had been prescribed for me and that I should pick them up and start taking them the very next day; what fantastic service I thought, the message went on to say that I should take the tablets for 7 days and then book a phone appointment with the doctor. On the 8th day I tried phoning the surgery, but could not get through, I drove to the surgery and was advised that the doctor I wanted to talk to was not available and that I could not book an appointment for the future? But I could return in the afternoon? I did try to book the appointment on line, but the doctor I wanted to talk to was not listed. I phoned at 17:00 hours and after 5 or 6 minutes did get through only to be advised that could I could not book an appointment for the following day and that I would have to phone or visit in the morning. The receptionists do a great job and just following the rules, this system needs to change. I cannot see how it works for doctors let alone patients.

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Appointment

Written by a patient

Service as gone down hill can't get appointment can't even get through on the phone when I did get through at 10 clock was told to call back at half 2 then couldn't even get through... Thing need to change at this surgery now they have more patieant as now fox hill shut down we was told service wouldn't change

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Appointment

Written by a patient

Tried for hours to get through, all i got was phone busy then phone line closed until 2:30 pm! They hardly ever answer the phone! I find it very hard to get an appointment!

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Involvement

Cleanliness

Staff

Appointment

Written by a patient

Very warm and friendly from the moment you step through the door. I like the phone appointment system as I often don't need to see a doctor or nurse but just need advice. In recent years, I have had a lot of mental health problems which at times make it very difficult to communicate with anyone and even leaving the house can be impossible when I am unwell but the staff there all know me and help and guide me as much as possible. Nothing ever seems a hassle or make you feel like a nuisance. Dr White and the whole team, have more than once saved my life and for that I am eternally grateful. You really cannot find a better surgery anywhere else.

Recommend

Involvement

Cleanliness

Staff

Appointment