Earl Aelfheah Posted March 5, 2014 Share Posted March 5, 2014 Fundamentally, they have taken on far too many patients (and continue to do so). Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/41870-no-prebook-appointments-at-dmc-until-end-of-march/page/2/#findComment-726495 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Monkey Posted March 5, 2014 Share Posted March 5, 2014 They have far too may patients and not enough doctors. i finally moved when, having had lots of problems making an appointment, i visited the surgery to find a pretty quiet waiting room with only 1 or 2 gps working. Greed, greed, greed. Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/41870-no-prebook-appointments-at-dmc-until-end-of-march/page/2/#findComment-726533 Share on other sites More sharing options...
klove Posted March 5, 2014 Share Posted March 5, 2014 Was trying to find an email address of the DMC practice manager online and came across this article, it's a few years old but not much has changed..http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2063458/Family-doctors-firm-raking-1-8m-YEAR--patients-say-surgery-appalling.html Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/41870-no-prebook-appointments-at-dmc-until-end-of-march/page/2/#findComment-726581 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sue Posted March 5, 2014 Share Posted March 5, 2014 Very sorry to hear of people having to wait so long for test results, especially for a child.I had blood tests recently and received a letter from DMC asking me to phone for a telephone appointment to discuss the results, although it was not urgent.I put the letter to one side and didn't get round to phoning them, so then they phoned me to make the appointment, which I thought was excellent, considering it was not urgent and I would have got round to it eventually.I subsequently had a helpful and constructive phone conversation with a GP about the results.Clearly things are far from good at DMC in some respects, but credit where it's due too. Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/41870-no-prebook-appointments-at-dmc-until-end-of-march/page/2/#findComment-726635 Share on other sites More sharing options...
BackinSE22 Posted March 6, 2014 Share Posted March 6, 2014 Surely someone who works at the surgery, or even be responsible for, must read this forum? So why do they never defend themselves or apologise? Shocking behaviour all round - it makes me really cross! Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/41870-no-prebook-appointments-at-dmc-until-end-of-march/page/2/#findComment-727015 Share on other sites More sharing options...
kristen Posted March 6, 2014 Share Posted March 6, 2014 My experience of DMC is that it's dreadful.I don't know how the surgery works but I wonder why most of the GPs seem so disinterested, unhelpful, bordering on the neglectful. There's no chance of building a relationship or understanding for patients as the appointment system works against seeing the same GP. I understand why big surgeries do this (gets people seen quickly). But think it's counter productive especially if you're supporting people with long term conditions. Most of the GPs I've seen there don't have a clue & I've given up expecting anything from them - I don't see them for medical advice/opinion anymore just for checking in on repeat prescriptions medication - or a referral. I know mistakes happen in a busy surgery but in my case they've just been endless - for example it took a year to get referred for a possibly cancerous lump - I brought this up a number of times in person during appointments throughout this time. I have a long term condition no support in managing symptoms offered (except standard issue anti-depressants) Every referral I've had to push for/chase up/chase up again etc etc - which when you're ill is difficult. Not forgetting the lost letters, muddled repeat prescriptions requests & inability of any doctor there to read and follow up on a consultants recommendations. & to have the pleasure of all this you have to go through some kind of hunger games trial to get an appointment - it's maddening.I know I'm just repeating what's been said before BUT - I don't know what happens if you are old, frail, vulnerable & have to deal with all this - who follows things up for them or chases referrals - or are they just sitting unread in inboxes of doctors who have left etc.& it's really easy to see all these complaints as just words on a page - but they're not. They're pain, misery, frustration exacerbated or caused by people who are supposed to help & support. When you have to go through this - when you're sick/tired/despairing it's awful. DMC make being sick/ill a nightmare for some people. & as far as I can see they don't appear to care - or worry about the complaints - & I think this means that things are just going to get either continue or get worse. Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/41870-no-prebook-appointments-at-dmc-until-end-of-march/page/2/#findComment-727092 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sue Posted March 7, 2014 Share Posted March 7, 2014 kristen Wrote:-------------------------------------------------------> I don't know how the surgery works but I wonder> why most of the GPs seem so disinterested,> unhelpful, bordering on the neglectful. ......> Most of the GPs I've seen there don't have a clue> & I've given up expecting anything from them - I> don't see them for medical advice/opinion anymore> just for checking in on repeat prescriptions> medication - or a referral. > xxxxxxxxMy own experience of all the GPs at DMC has been that they have been competent, interested and extremely helpful, apart from one locum I saw years ago.And in the past, if I wanted to see a particular GP, I just asked. I haven't done recently, so I don't know whether that's still possible.I'm obviously not suggesting that you didn't have poor experiences, kristen, but I must say I'm very surprised and disappointed :( I do think the admin problems are not confined to DMC though. They seem to be a result of general NHS changes, though I'm not sure what. My daughter has had dreadful problems with her GP in Oxford, both for herself and for one of my granddaughters, for example with very delayed hospital referrals which just seemed to be sitting around the surgery for weeks. Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/41870-no-prebook-appointments-at-dmc-until-end-of-march/page/2/#findComment-727325 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Callie Posted March 7, 2014 Share Posted March 7, 2014 sbain Wrote:-------------------------------------------------------> I wonder if The Lanes have almost had an adverse> effect on the surgery. In that lots of women who> are planning to have children register with them.> This leads to them having a lot of young families> on their books, patients who by and large use a> docor a LOT more than your average patient. Which> in turn leads to problems getting appointments> etc.Not sure what you mean by 'The Lanes'?? I don't thinkeither that the appointment's are in short supply because they areall swallowed up by mass producing women of ED lol Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/41870-no-prebook-appointments-at-dmc-until-end-of-march/page/2/#findComment-727329 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeremy Posted March 7, 2014 Share Posted March 7, 2014 The Lanes is a midwifery practice, in demand because they do home visits. That, coupled with the fact that surgeries give priority to babies, would quite possibly explain some of the added load on the surgery. Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/41870-no-prebook-appointments-at-dmc-until-end-of-march/page/2/#findComment-727336 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Callie Posted March 7, 2014 Share Posted March 7, 2014 Yes all surgeries give priority to babies I should imagine, & there are quite a few surgeries in the area but none seem to have as many problems with appointments as DMC. Still not sure what the midwives doing home visits has got to do with anyone not being able to get an appointment with the GP. Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/41870-no-prebook-appointments-at-dmc-until-end-of-march/page/2/#findComment-727346 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeremy Posted March 7, 2014 Share Posted March 7, 2014 Was just explaining sbain's point... that this midwifery practice is especially popular, and are only available via DMC. Therefore DMC may have an especially high number of mothers/babies.It's just a theory, you don't have to agree. Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/41870-no-prebook-appointments-at-dmc-until-end-of-march/page/2/#findComment-727361 Share on other sites More sharing options...
binary_star Posted March 7, 2014 Share Posted March 7, 2014 Absolutely dire service. My intention was to move to The Gardens but after perking up post illness I never bothered. Can guarantee that will bite me in the arse when I get ill.As far as I can see, this surgery suits anyone who is unemployed, retired or otherwise able or willing to queue outside for 30mins-1hr on the off chance of getting an appointment.Meanwhile those of us in full time employment can forget it... Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/41870-no-prebook-appointments-at-dmc-until-end-of-march/page/2/#findComment-727477 Share on other sites More sharing options...
simonethebeaver Posted March 7, 2014 Share Posted March 7, 2014 Forest Hill Road Practice also has a popular midwifery practice attached, and while FHR also has its issues, like many busy London practices, it's nothing like the descriptions of DMC. Also, if the midwives work, as I believe they do, in a similar way, they take on about 210 deliveries a year maximum - a drop in the ocean of the thousands that will be registered to the practice. Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/41870-no-prebook-appointments-at-dmc-until-end-of-march/page/2/#findComment-727483 Share on other sites More sharing options...
kristen Posted March 8, 2014 Share Posted March 8, 2014 - in response to Sue - In theory it's possible to see the same GP. But the appointment system doesn't support this.This has meant I have the choice of either waiting 3 to 4 weeks (or longer) to try to get some consistency of care or taking pot luck on the day I manage to get through (via phone or going ot surgery) to book. Also not sure really how to take the statement "I'm obviously not suggesting that you didn't have poor experiences, kristen, but I must say I'm very surprised and disappointed"Did you miss the comments on here - & on the NHS board? I'm not sure why you would find my experience very surprising. Also if you're very surprised I think that is saying (indirectly) that you're questioning what I'm saying (although it's late & I might be reading too much into this) Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/41870-no-prebook-appointments-at-dmc-until-end-of-march/page/2/#findComment-727489 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sue Posted March 9, 2014 Share Posted March 9, 2014 kristen Wrote:-------------------------------------------------------> - in response to Sue - > > In theory it's possible to see the same GP. But> the appointment system doesn't support this.> This has meant I have the choice of either waiting> 3 to 4 weeks (or longer) to try to get some> consistency of care or taking pot luck on the day> I manage to get through (via phone or going ot> surgery) to book. xxxxxxxxYes, that makes sense. xxxxxxxxx> > Also not sure really how to take the statement > > "I'm obviously not suggesting that you didn't have> poor experiences, kristen, but I must say I'm very> surprised and disappointed"> > Did you miss the comments on here - & on the NHS> board? I'm not sure why you would find my> experience very surprising. Also if you're very> surprised I think that is saying (indirectly) that> you're questioning what I'm saying (although it's> late & I might be reading too much into this)xxxxxxxxxxxNo, I wasn't at all questioning what you were saying, far from it!That was why I specifically said "I'm obviously not suggesting that you didn't havepoor experiences, kristen" !!!I couldn't possibly question somebody else's experiences, how could I?Just, they differed from my own, and I was under the impression that the problems at DMC were not with the GPs per se, but from what you say I can't have read the thread properly, and I probably mixed it up with one of the other DMC threads, so if so sorry :( Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/41870-no-prebook-appointments-at-dmc-until-end-of-march/page/2/#findComment-727864 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ruskin Posted March 9, 2014 Share Posted March 9, 2014 Here's a post of mine from a few days ago re the surgery appointment app:http://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/forum/read.php?20,1281301,1281301#msg-1281301 Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/41870-no-prebook-appointments-at-dmc-until-end-of-march/page/2/#findComment-727984 Share on other sites More sharing options...
ednewmy Posted March 9, 2014 Share Posted March 9, 2014 For the last year or so I've been seeing the same GP at DMC, and she's great - sympathetic, understanding, and she actually LISTENS. She's also not been too reluctant to run tests or make referrals, as others have been in the past. It's for this reason I'm really hesitant to change surgeries and risk going back to the same old "stop complaining" attitude of so many GPs I've seen in the past, some of whom have become almost combative when I've simply run an idea past them searching for answers as to what's causing symptom x or y. It's when I ring up and am told I can't see her for a month (or more) where I start having major issues with DMC. They need to stop taking on any more patients starting immediately, then put in place a proper appointment management system. Sure, it must be hard work managing a busy London surgery, but others do it, so why can't DMC. Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/41870-no-prebook-appointments-at-dmc-until-end-of-march/page/2/#findComment-727992 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sue Posted March 10, 2014 Share Posted March 10, 2014 Don't know whether this is an appropriate thread to put this, but I've just received an email from DMC about a Patient Participation Group whose next meeting is at 6pm this Wednesday (12 March), and attaching this newsletter (sorry for the formating, I've copied and pasted from a pdf):DMC Crystal Palace Road PPG e-news1The Patient Participation Groupmet at DMC on December 11th.As well as the new committee and sevenother patients, the meeting was attendedby Olu Bankole, the new AssistantPractice Manager; Mr Anil Gupta, thebusiness director; and John Adams, thepharmacist (already helping the PPG agood deal). We were pleased to see stafftaking the PPG seriously.We still want to know whether we can doanything useful as a group. Our attemptsat patient engagement have been goodbut hampered by the inability of thepractice to maintain a supply of feedbackslips and patient newsletters, and todeliver the online newsletter. It is to behoped that each issue of the newslettercan be continuously available in leafletform on the reception desk and put onthe practice website so that patients canfollow what is going on.The main points of the PPG DraftConstitution reconsidered on 11.12.13are: to strengthen the relationshipbetween patients and the practice; andworking together while putting patientsfirst, to improve services, promote healthand improve quality of care. We shall putthe full terms of reference on the PPGnotice board and ask for them to be puton the website.We discussed mutual expectations of thePPG and the practice.Patient Feedback gave clear indicationsabout the need for a thorough review ofall aspects of booking and attendingappointments. Several changes ofpersonnel and procedures in the admindepartment should help. Please keepfeedback coming so that we can see ifthings are improving.Next meeting 6pm Weds Mar.12th at DMC.Our next job is to get to grips with...Telephone TriageDuring the early Spring, DMC is going totry this as a way of saving us time andunnecessary journeys, because it issuggested that more than half of ourproblems can be dealt with by a doctorover the phone without the need for avisit to the surgery.Olu says: ?Patients will ring in themorning and speak to a receptionist whowill then place the patients on a list to becalled back by a GP. The GP will thenhave a telephone consultation with thepatient assessing if a surgery visit isneeded.?This will free up the appointments forthose that need to be seen by a GP forobservation etc. as opposed to those thatneed just a prescription/letter/ or changeof medication which can be done in theGP?s admin time and left for the patientto pick up at their convenience.?We have added new members ofadmin to the team to enable us to dealwith the demand on the phones, andhave looked in depth at the demand andthe man power needed to enable thetriage to work.?The appointment system as a wholewill be revamped as a result of the triage.This is something every member of theteam will have an input in, and is beingoverseen by both our Directors Anil andRavi, and we agree it is in need of achange.?There is to be a staff training day inmid-January to prepare clinical andadmin staff for telephone triage. Helen(PPG chair) will go along to learn about itso that she can explain more in the nextnewsletter. Please keep feedback comingso that we can see how it is working. Tryemailing [email protected].Budget constraintsMr Gupta pointed out that all GPpractices have had their budgets cut back,while being expected to deliver betterservices to more people. We noted that itis impossible to fulfil long-establishedexpectations in these new circumstances.Crystal Palace Road e-issue no. 2Patient Participation Group DMC January 2014DMC Crystal Palace Road PPG e-news2The practice is looking to running from8am to 7pm Mondays to Fridays. It isvery unlikely that Saturday surgeries willcome back.Missed appointmentsIt is still very frustrating when peopledon?t let the surgery know that they can?tturn up for appointments. Doctors keepother patients waiting for nothing. Let usdo our bit here. One suggestion was thatpatients who miss pre-bookedappointments three times in successionmight be able to make on-the-dayappointments only. Admin hopes tomake better use of text reminders.Doctors would like patients to makebetter use of John Adams, the PracticePharmacist who can deal rapidly with allissues surrounding repeat prescriptions.Some of us are always late orderingrepeats! Let us do our bit here too. Haveyou tried asking the local pharmacy toput you on automatic repeat?We are reminded that SELDOC shouldbe our out-of-hours first choice unless wereally need A&E. (Useful phone numbersin the right-hand column).A question for the futureThe multi-function health centre ?hub?planned for somewhere on the DulwichHospital site is inviting GP surgeries tocome and share its premises to provideordinary primary care as well as theadditional specialist clinic-style services.How would you feel about this practicemoving to that site? Comment throughthe DMC website.PPG meeting ground rules* Meetings start on time at 6pm and stickto schedule.* Everyone welcome.* All phones turned off* Please speak ?through the chair? atmeetings to avoid everyone trying tospeak at once. Raise a hand so that thechair knows you have something to say.* Send discussion topics to[email protected], or put anote in the patient feedback box, inadvance of meetings so that they go onthe agenda.* The PPG is a patient forum chaired andrun by patients, so if staff wish to includespeakers and agenda items they mustadvise the chair in advance of the topic,the speaker and the time needed so thatspace may be allocated on the agenda.The Locality Patient Group for SouthSouthwark is preparing questionnaires tofind out what works well in local PPGs.We look forward to having something toreport.The new practice website is underreview. If you have constructivesuggestions about functions you wouldlike to see there, please email[email protected]DMC practice website is:www.crystalpalaceroad.nhs.ukemail: [email protected]Dulwich Medical Centre163-169 Crystal Palace RoadEast DulwichLondonSE22 9EPPhone: 0208 693 2727SELDOC out of hours service is atDulwich Community Hospital,East Dulwich GroveLondon SE22 8PTPhone: 0208 693 9066Peckham drop-in health centre is atLister Health Centre101 Peckham RoadLondon SE15 5LJPhone: 020 3049 8430email: [email protected]www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk for health advice orPhone: 111King?s College Hospital Accident andEmergency Dept. via main switchboardPhone: 020 3299 9900NEXT PPG MEETING 6PMWEDS March 12th 2014PLEASE COME ALONG!HJC 04.01.14 Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/41870-no-prebook-appointments-at-dmc-until-end-of-march/page/2/#findComment-728150 Share on other sites More sharing options...
steveo Posted March 10, 2014 Share Posted March 10, 2014 Doesn't prebook mean the same as book? Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/41870-no-prebook-appointments-at-dmc-until-end-of-march/page/2/#findComment-728152 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeremy Posted March 10, 2014 Share Posted March 10, 2014 I received the same email as Sue.. can't see myself leaving work early to attend, when when the problems are so flippin obvious to most of us. Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/41870-no-prebook-appointments-at-dmc-until-end-of-march/page/2/#findComment-728168 Share on other sites More sharing options...
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