What's going on with the phones at DMC??

[Em]

It took me 47 tries to get through on Weds and then I was 8th in the queue and held for 26 minutes. When I finally spoke to the Receptionist she said the only way I could get an appointment would be to queue outside from 7am, not a practical option with 2 small children.

[TillieTrotter]

I called yesterday and got a nurses appointment next week for me and my two sons. It only took me 5 minutes to get through too. Strange goings on!

[Sue]

Em Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> It took me 47 tries to get through on Weds and

> then I was 8th in the queue and held for 26

> minutes. When I finally spoke to the Receptionist

> she said the only way I could get an appointment

> would be to queue outside from 7am, not a

> practical option with 2 small children.

xxxxxx

This is all just appalling.

Let's hope they actually get it sorted out after the meeting. I am going to try to go, though I have not (yet) been so badly affected by the problems as other people.

[spider69]

Sue Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Em Wrote:

> --------------------------------------------------

> -----

> > It took me 47 tries to get through on Weds and

> > then I was 8th in the queue and held for 26

> > minutes. When I finally spoke to the

> Receptionist

> > she said the only way I could get an

> appointment

> > would be to queue outside from 7am, not a

> > practical option with 2 small children.

>

> xxxxxx

>

> This is all just appalling.

>

> Let's hope they actually get it sorted out after

> the meeting. I am going to try to go, though I

> have not (yet) been so badly affected by the

> problems as other people.

Why can they not get it sorted now!!

It has been going on for a very long time. Why such long waits? Do they not have enough Doctors or would that cost too much?

[sarahsalsap]

I just wonder why there seems to be a high ish turnover of staff on reception ?

[binary_star]

sarahsalsap Wrote:

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> I just wonder why there seems to be a high ish

> turnover of staff on reception ?

Because they get the brunt of the complaints?

[Pugwash]

It also could be the way they treat their non medical employees. I am with the Gardens and they have had the majority of their staff for years. Although I am not a frequent user of the surgery, they know me by my first name when I drop in to deliver a prescription repeat.

[Cora]

No improvement....an hour ten waiting on the phone to be told no appts left and earliest pre-arranged appt early Jan..

Phoning that complaint number right now...please keep the pressure up...

[Sue]

Pugwash Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> It also could be the way they treat their non

> medical employees. I am with the Gardens and they

> have had the majority of their staff for years.

> Although I am not a frequent user of the surgery,

> they know me by my first name when I drop in to

> deliver a prescription repeat.

xxxxx

Could that be because your name is on the prescription repeat form?

Sorry to be cynical ....

[hellosailor]

Sue Wrote:

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>

> Could that be because your name is on the

> prescription repeat form?

>

> Sorry to be cynical ....

Um, I'm guessing she means they know even before she asks for the prescription Sue..

[Sue]

hellosailor Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Sue Wrote:

> --------------------------------------------------

> -----

>

> >

> > Could that be because your name is on the

> > prescription repeat form?

> >

> > Sorry to be cynical ....

>

> Um, I'm guessing she means they know even before

> she asks for the prescription Sue..

xxxxxx

Guess away :)

[Countrlass22]

Phoned Chadwick road Dmc 8am yesterday 4th in queue got threw in 10 minutes seen same day lung infecyionafter week trying they did manage covet gp.on holiday.

Got email new triage system starts 2nd january.

Spouse rang got phonr consultation for 2 days time ladt week was months wait for even that.

Another new receptionist at chadwick rd dmc.

Prescription fiasco sorted.

So am happier service

[Sue]

Countrlass22 Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Phoned Chadwick road Dmc 8am yesterday 4th in

> queue got threw in 10 minutes seen same day lung

> infecyionafter week trying they did manage covet

> gp.on holiday.

> Got email new triage system starts 2nd january.

> Spouse rang got phonr consultation for 2 days time

> ladt week was months wait for even that.

> Another new receptionist at chadwick rd dmc.

> Prescription fiasco sorted.

>

> So am happier service

xxxxxx

But it isn't the Chadwick Road surgery which has been having the problems, is it?

It's the Crystal Palace Road one.

Or has Chadwick Road been bad too?

[Vik]

I assume the problem is the ED surgery, this being the ED issues section.

[Countrlass22]

No both dmc patients appointment system isdues..ed being lack reception staff i shared to.inform peckham patients as off bellenden road borders ed and some members live undet dmc chadwick catchment area

[EagleJon19]

I'm not one to post negative opinions online, but when my wife and I moved to ED last year we registered with the DMC after doing a lot of research. We've never had such a poor experience with a GP. We moved to another GP within 3 months because the service, attention to detail and lack of empathy was terrible. I wouldn't recommend them to anyone. Best of luck to everyone in finding another GP or those still at the DMC.

[Sue]

EagleJon19 Wrote:

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> I'm not one to post negative opinions online, but

> when my wife and I moved to ED last year we

> registered with the DMC after doing a lot of

> research. We've never had such a poor experience

> with a GP. We moved to another GP within 3 months

> because the service, attention to detail and lack

> of empathy was terrible. I wouldn't recommend

> them to anyone. Best of luck to everyone in

> finding another GP or those still at the DMC.

xxxxxx

Are you talking about a specific GP or the service at the surgery in general?

Because I've had nothing but excellent service from the actual GPs at DMC, apart from a locum many years ago, who I have never seen there since.

[binary_star]

My recent experience of the DMC ( not a specific GP) has been awful, truly truly awful on so many levels I can't even be bothered to list them.

[Sue]

So, did anybody posting on here actually go to the meeting at the surgery to discuss patients' discontent?

[binary_star]

Sue Wrote:

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> So, did anybody posting on here actually go to the

> meeting at the surgery to discuss patients'

> discontent?

No. Same reason I can't stand outside for an hour waiting to see a GP. Got a full time job.

[Countrlass22]

saga of phne book appointment at chadiwck rd branch say booked in fact when wait for call it wasnt twice to my partner and again today.......good news appointments are available chadwick road do hope for all at ed branch improvement appears.

anyone with ed patient feedback do post.

am thinking changing to ed branch in near future.....

[Jeremy]

We shouldn't have to go to a bloody meeting. It's obvious that 1 month waiting lists and 1 hour phone queues are not acceptable.

[binary_star]

They should also make it clear that waiting outside is pointless if you don't have sick children because after you've queued up for an hour outside, once you actually get through the doors they call all the parents up first anyway. Seriously how are they allowed to run a surgery like this!?

[binary_star]

My partner has just got back from the surgery this morning needing a morning appointment. Some patients were upset when the parents were called first and it all got a bit shouty with patients actually declaring their illnesses and ailments and saying whether they thought they were more important than others. At one point a woman with cancer was arguing with the receptionist about her place in the queue being given to a mother with an 8year old. This is just an outrageous way to treat patients.

[Sue]

Can anybody who has switched surgeries suggest a viable alternative to DMC in the same catchment area?

With equally good GPs but a very much better admin system?