Share review of Park Surgery

Park Surgery 2016-02-04 Person 3 5 0

Have a follow up appointment at hospital booked 3 weeks hence. Telephoned surgery to get an appointment to see doctor to ensure still necessary. No appointment available with my doctor until 2 days before planned hospital appointment. Suggested I had a blood test done in anticipation of doctors appointment to avoid seeing her twice and still leave time to cancel hospital appointment. Earliest appointment for blood test not until after appointment to see doctor. Telephoned again to ask to speak to doctor's secretary to sort out. Not available. Left message to come back but did not. Telephoned again and spoke to secretary who said doctor would telephone following day (friday) or monday morning. Stayed in but no call. Telephoned secretary on Wednesday and asked what was happening. Told it was in doctors diary to phone at 10.05 on Thursday. Good job I found out otherwise I would not have been in. Why could the secretary not telephone to tell me this or email. Waited in until 11.00 before leaving. Doctor telephoned after I left and wife remained available to take call. Explained and doctor agreed that a blood test be done but as no appointment possible at surgery, I go to hospital to have this done. Trip to surgery to collect instructions and envelope. Trip to hospital. Arrived at 7.30 and already 20+ waiting for start at 8.00 am. One hour later left when 40+ waiting and many more walked away. Waiting for doctor to tell me whether hospital appointment still necessary. Likely that this will be cancelled only a couple of days before due with no possibility that someone else could have this. That is if I telephone to find out as not convinced I will be receiving a call. Usual practice is that contact is only made if there is a problem, which is not ideal for putting patients at their ease, and does not address the practical situation described. Appointment system is a farce. No business would be run like this.