Share review of North Brink Practice

North Brink Practice 2023-01-25 Person 3 5 0

On the last two occasions I’ve needed an appointment I’ve had to book via 111. On one occasion I had very frightening rectal bleeding. I was refused the surgery triage and told ‘we don’t deal with that.’ I wanted two hours to be put in touch with a 111 doctor who booked me an appointment with the surgery where I saw a nurse who spoke to the doctor, who did not speak to me, and then returned to prescribe me antibiotics. Such a simple solution to a truly frightening problem so why the need to go via 111 rather than a nurse just call me? Yesterday the on line service closed around 10.30am. When I was eventually put though to the surgery telephone appoints system the triage had timed out before my call was answered. I was told there were five appointments available but again only via 111. Although my experience, either with telephone consultations or in the surgery, has always been very good, this triage system seems a huge drain on NHS resources.

The triage hours do not appear to be adequate to patients need. Perhaps this could be extended?