The Armada Family Practice

Written by a patient

My only complaint/criticism is that there are often long queues to speak to a receptionist, and only on odd occasions does a second person appear to assist.

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Written by a patient

I find you have to wait to long to see to see a doctor, it take's forever to get through, only to be told ring again in the morning, seems to be getting harder to see a doctor of your choice unless you want to wait 6 weeks or more.

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Written by a patient

The new appt system is awful - if I am ill I am unlikely to want to sit in the surgery from 830am until I see a dr and if I need to see a dr for a long-term problem I have to book an appt over a month in advance. Just booked appt for my 12 yr old to see Asthma Nurse - she has to wait 6 weeks. The previous system of Triage, having a NP return the call, was so much more patient friendly. It appears that as long as I am ill in the morning and am unable to go to work I should be fine. If I need to see a dr for anything else I need to plan well in advance - that s outrageous. My employer will not allow me to sit and wait for an appt - it makes no sense. It seems to me that this Practise Manager has taken the needs of the medical team above the needs of the patients. I am in the process of contacting my MP about the appointment system as I fail to see how it benefits. It certainly doesn't benefit my family and many of my friends - you should read the comments on fb about the surgery, not good reading but usually people don't bother to moan to the right people! Basically, if I or my children are ill we would like to see a doctor that day. For non-urgent purposes I think it is reasonable to expect to see a dr within 1 or 2 weeks. I would advocate charging time-wasters and those who fail to turn up for appts. The dentists do it or knock you off their list if you waste their valuable spaces so introduce it for drs. Bring back the walk in centre. Ask patients what they would like. And remember that when people are unwell the last thing they are up for is a row with the receptionist - how many people do not bother to phone and may suffer or have a worsening condition as a result?? The next question is about date of last appt - I have been unable to make one for some time for me so will use my daughters.

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Written by a patient

The new "turn up and wait system" has to be a step forward. The reason is because it is bound to reduce what has been a worsening state of access to doctors by occasionally ill patients. It was becoming obvious that an increasing number of patients (presumably chronically ill/serial malingerers) were blocking/delaying access to doctors using whatever tactics they were employing to take up all available appointments for up to an entire month (and then frequently not showing up). Essentially, this was putting patients with sudden/serious illness in a potentially risky position by deterring them from seeking timely first line medical help. The new system prevents appointment blocking because it forces those patients mentioned above, to now "turn up or shut up". This should have the effect of filtering out malingerers/chronic condition patients/no-showers resulting in a more streamlined and responsive service for those who might be genuinely ill. My only surprise is that it took the Armada practice so long to realise and implement this when there is plenty of evidence from other local practices showing this to be the most efficient and effective system.

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Written by a patient

Full time workers never can book an appointment for doctor or treatment after 5pm before next 1-2 weeks. An injection usually takes no more then 5 min but appointments are every 20 min... When somebody is very unwell, cant get an appointment the same or next day...usually available appointments are when you will be already dead or get well (self heal) and no point to go there.

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