Share review of Northiam and Broad Oak Surgeries

Northiam and Broad Oak Surgeries 2022-03-25 Person 4 5 0

I have been a member of the parish for roughly 30 years with the expection of a short period of time 5 years ago when I moved out of the area. I have always received a brilliant service through the practice and cannot fault the care of the doctors, particularly so since moving back to the area as a new mother. We moved to a neighbouring parish just before I was expecting my 2nd child. I spoke with the dr - who has been my family doctor for more years then I can remember- who kindly agrred to keep our family registered at the surgery until my newborn had had the rounds of immunisations. Unfortunately the reception staff at Northiam surgery seemedbto not agree with this decision and made their feelings clear during numerous phone calls. Having just birthed my child, I received over 5 phone calls from the reception staff, abruptly telling me that I needed to move my family to another surgery. I can only assume that these memebers of staff have never had children or that they have forgotten quite how tiring and tough the first few months of parenting can be! Their empathy and humanity was significantly lacking, to the point that I felt that I could not access care from the surgery for myself or my husband without receiving the 3rd degree from the reception staff. I found myself timing my calls to ensure I went through the Broad Oak surgery, who's care and personable skills are the polar opposite. They have been nothing but accommodating and apologetic about the respeonse I have recieved from those at the Northiam practice. I would like to add that my doctor- who I cannot rate highly enough, and only hope that I am fortunate to find another who is as caring and professional- told me to book the 12 week immunisations with your practice but my reponse was that I daren't in fear of the backlash that I would receive from the Northiam staff! I can only hope that I am able the complete our registration and am able to be booked in in time for the next set of injections only 3 weeks away! It is such a shame that my experience of what is on the whole a fantastic practice, has been what it was. I have only moved 4 miles out of area, yet it might as well have been 204 miles!

Please ensure members of the Northiam team actively engage with professional development in their interpersonal skills. They are working in a public facing service and should be equipped with the necessary skills to speak respectfully to memebers of the parish, despite their personal views on whether or not those parish members should be reciving their service! Please refrain from sending a text message telling me to move my family 3 days after my child has received the first set of immunisations! As a mother of 2 children, who was dealing with an extremely unsettled 8 week old following the immunisations, I am doing my utmost to collect and complete the countless forms required when moveing surgery, as quickly as possible. I do not need the added pressure from your surgery. I am well aware of the need to move and I am under the additional pressure of my newborn requiring the next set of immunisations only 3 weeks away.