The Beaches Medical Centre

Extremely disappointed, twice recently have used the online forms and each time received a response which in fairness was quite fast. I understand that Covid has changed the way that NHS operates and am always open to change, however receiving comments on a medical matter with no indication of the person or position, how would I know that this “filtering” is carried out by a medical professional? Extremely disappointed.

From initial request for an appointment to actually seeing a human being this practice is appalling which is a shame as I believe it was once very good. Firstly the website is incredibly difficult to navigate (forget using an old fashioned phone to contact them). Secondly it’s next to impossible to see an actual GP. What are these people doing all day? Do they literally have one actual real doctor? So one is reduced to speaking a body on the phone who simply wants to amend your drugs - they don’t have the time to listen to you and aren’t interested in your condition. So you get to eventually see a nurse as you can’t get injections over the phone or internet yet. She’s rude and appears over stressed complaining of her work load first thing in the morning then is seen gossiping with her reception colleague. Get real people. There’s lots of stressed people out there dealing with inefficient bureaucracy and constant nonsense handed down by management but it doesn’t make it ok to be bad mannered. Heaven help anyone who is registered here when they have a significant health concern. A thoroughly dispiriting and depressing experience.

I requested an appointment online for my Daughter this morning. I have been unwell myself and was woken up by an unknown number calling me. I work for the NHS myself so wondered if it was my workplace calling. I answered and was greeted with “you called about your daughter”. I was a bit taken aback and half asleep so I politely explained I hadn’t called anyone about my Daughter and I asked who it was. They wouldn’t tell me and asked who I was. It dawned on me that it was her GP surgery and so I asked if that’s who it was because they hadn’t introduced themselves to me. The lady became quite rude and sternly said that I was the one who had contacted them - which I had 5 hours previously online. I asked if she was the GP and she replied she was an advanced nurse practitioner, I asked for her name which she told me was Cheryl. I introduced myself and explained the reason for my enquiry. I am expecting an appointment for my Daughter which hasn’t been provided yet so will chase this up. I have never been spoken to like that by a healthcare professional. I posted on another site but it seems that post was removed. It’s quite concerning that a GP surgery would rather remove negative feedback than work on feedback provided. When calling someone it would be polite to give some small indication as to who they are. I don’t expect patient confidentiality to be compromised but a small snippet of who you are would be great. Then don’t get rude when questioned who is calling about my Daughter - a minor who I am also protecting. No wonder the surgery has poor ratings.