Byfield Medical Centre

Church Street, Byfield, Daventry, NorthantsEngland, NN11 6XN 219 reviews

Reviews

Recommend
Involvement
Cleanliness
Staff
Appointment
 
Page 43 of 44
 
27th June 2023


Always struggle to get appointments

Suggested improvements
Move telephone updates to patients

12th July 2023
Response from Byfield Medical Centre

We are sorry to hear you struggle to get appointments - there are 20% of appointments bookable in advance and you can also now book appointments online. Unfortunately the surgery is not large enough to employ any more doctors so the number of appointments we are able to offer will not increase

Experience
Involvement
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Appointment
 
27th June 2023


With all the recent changes about booking appointments I just find it confusing not just during the covid era, but since I've lived in the area a total of 9 years, I don't understand the calling at 8am queuing to get an appointment, is this only for appointments that day? When sometimes I don't need an appointment that day, but feel that's the only way to get an appointment and then I lose work hours, how else do you get an appointment? Can you actually call anytime of day for future appointments? Or do you have to call into the surgery for an appointment in a few days time? My confusion stems from the ease of booking a recent appointment after seeing the GP, but could I have done that by phone at home at anytime other than 8am in the morning, nowhere have I seen it stated future appointments can be booked anytime of day by phone or in person, so to not trouble a shortage of gp's I tend to wait then get worse then need to queue at 8am for an appointment that same day, this has never been made clear, until recently I believed an appointment was only available at 8am for a same day appointment.

Suggested improvements
I've had a few recent appointments each time I've waited 20-40 minutes past my appointment time, not a problem occasionally but every time isn't ideal, call me overly cautious but considering what the world has been through lately I would have thought it more important for services to remain on time as much as possible to prevent too many ill people together in the choice of 2 small airless waiting rooms, I understand it's the only building you have, but find it disturbing in 30 degree heat or anytime there's not a window to open, an air conditioner unit not working in the corner, and one faulty squeaky fan at every turn, and no working toilet for months still blocked it says, unbelievable really with medical conditions like utis bowel & vomiting illnesses, whilst also being kept waiting 40 minutes longer than necessary, not forgetting all the extra people walking in making appointments I didn't know this service was available, and the ones constantly collecting prescriptions queuing amongst people trying to leave or waiting for their appointment, in short it feels disgustingly cramped like an animal travelling to the cattle market or worse, I feel the need to shower afterwards, if people can pick up prescriptions there, why not keep the inadequate building clearer of unnecessary extra people and get them to drive 1 mile more to popsons pharmacy? Or surely the front porch with no windows could easily be fitted with some windows, a new door layout front and or back with a small office to give out prescriptions through a hatch as this service is constant, and it would limit staff crammed into one room with only one hatch to deal with queries, preventing too many people staff or patients cramped together, obviously a purpose built building would be perfect but if not allowed a new small extension or refiguration for a better entrance and windows should be allowed, the front porch is a total waste of airless space, and the well wouldn't have to mix with the sick.

12th July 2023
Response from Byfield Medical Centre

Thank you for your feedback. We are sorry that you do not like the building - as staff nor do we but unfortunately the NHS is not keen to spend money on building a purpose built medical centre in a rural area. We do the best that we can with what we have. The building does not belong to us and is rented and therefore the partners do not feel able to spend money changing the layout. The blocked toilet has been fixed three times and continues to block it needs the road dug up and new pipework which is unaffordable there is a second toilet along the corridor for patient use. Doctors do overrun as sometimes patients come for appointments with very complex needs that take longer to deal with You are able to book appointments two weeks in advance, online or by calling on the day

Experience
Involvement
Cleanliness
Staff
Appointment
 
27th June 2023


The nurse who looked after me was amazing. I'm very nervous of doctors and she made it all so easy.

Suggested improvements
I was kept waiting 20 mins past the agreed appointment time. I understand priorities can change depending on what people come in but would have been nice for an update from reception "we are running about 10/15/20 mins late" for example

12th July 2023
Response from Byfield Medical Centre

Thank you for your feedback - I am sorry you were no informed that the nurse was running late, this has been fed back to the reception team

Experience
Involvement
Cleanliness
Staff
Appointment
 
27th June 2023


First class quick service providing same day appointment Doctor provided time and reassurance with my problem After appointment at JR was within the timeframe as the doctor had explained

Suggested improvements
Nothing

12th July 2023
Response from Byfield Medical Centre

Many thanks for your kind feedback

Experience
Involvement
Cleanliness
Staff
Appointment
 
27th June 2023


I got an appointment on the morning I called, saw the doctor promptly and got the treatment I needed.

Suggested improvements
Nothing required

12th July 2023
Response from Byfield Medical Centre

Thank you for your feedback

Experience
Involvement
Cleanliness
Staff
Appointment
 
 

Page 43 of 44

Byfield Medical Centre was awarded the iWantGreatCare certificate of excellence in 2024 for delivering outstanding care.

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Resources

Short link to review Byfield Medical Centre: http://iwgc.net/ecbq2