Parkside Surgery

What has happened to this once caring practice? My wife have been with this practice for over 50 years and found the Practice good and caring. We moved very slightly out the Practice catchment area 44 years ago (1979) but we were told at the time, it was OK to remain registered with the Practice. At 78 & 80 years old we were shocked to each receive a letter on 22 December 2023, from the practice manager, (Nick Gwatkin) stating that due to our being out of the Practice catchment area, we must register with a local practice immediately, because in 28 days from the date of the letter (20 December 2023, we would be automatically de-registered. This, even though my 80 years old wife, 80 years was being treated for ongoing very severe back and leg pain. The letter stated it was being sent to all patients outside the Practice catchment area. We find it strange that our son, age 58, who lives with us, and is registered with this practice has not recieved such a letter or told he would be de-registered. Also strange that another family member living nearby, also outside the Practice catchment area has not received such a notification. This has left us very upset, unsettled and dissapointed. Not a pleasant experience for two aging people,

I attended the surgery in excruciating pain and the doctor said he would make an urgent referral for a scan. After many nights of being unable to sleep I rang the surgery to ask them to check that the referral had been received and she said I would have to chase the hospital myself, which I did. They said it had been put through as a non urgent matter but that they would upgrade it to urgent and made an appointment. When I told the doctor it had been put through as non urgent he said 'so slap my hand I pushed the wrong button'. I made an appointment for the doctor to call with the results and stressed what number they should call on. They rang the wrong number. When I found out I rang and the receptionist said well you have missed it now it will be after Christmas before we will give you the results. I stressed that was not acceptable as the Doctor has implied it could be something major and I wanted to know asap. She was extremely rude. He did respond that day, and fortunately it was not something major. When I submitted a complaint, their response was rude and blamed me saying I had made it out to be urgent when it was not and that I had interfered by ringing the hospital and lying to them about it being urgent. I changed to another surgery and have never regretted the change. The problems at this surgery come from the top and the attitude is disgraceful.

I have been calling to cancel my mother in laws appointment for over 10 mins. At first it said user busy which indicates they are on the phone and then a min later I get through and it rings and rings and rings until the line gets cut off. Now I know there are staff there and they don’t pick up the phone on purpose because I have walked into the surgery and seen staff chatting away at reception while the phone is ringing in the background and as soon as someone walks into surgery that’s when they pick up the phone to make it look like they are working. The telephone service at parkside is absolutely appalling and honestly need new receptionists who actually want to help patients. If I was to not call at all to cancel an appointment then they would be down the patients throat saying why did we miss the appointment and when we try to call and cancel they don’t even pick up so what are patients supposed to do from there.