The receptionist was cheerful and helpful but the nurse surly and dismissive of an inner ear infection which caused an additional 2days of pain and discomfort. Antibiotics then given by GP

Couldn’t make it to my appointment today and anxious not to leave the physio waiting and wasting her time I attempt to phone ( @ 9.0 am) the dept. After going round in circles I discover the Physiotherapists don’t receive phone calls, 10 mins before my appointment I’m given the number at Bridgewater and get through to a sympathetic receptionist who will let my physio know! One hears all the time of patients who don’t turn up and how much it costs the NHS but then you make it well nigh impossible to actually let the appropriate dept. know. Unfortunately I woke up being sick so didn’t have a decent time to get in touch, in different circumstances my husband would have driven to Frome hospital to inform them but that was not possible. I noted at the end of each number was a message asking callers to ‘be kind etc’ to whoever answers one’s call - I felt no unkindness just a slightly hysterical urge to laugh and weep at the same time. I’m 80 so remember fondly of the time when one simply made one phone call to a receptionist who would more often than not tell one off for cancelling at the last minute. I’m okay with the internet but so many older people aren’t and must end up so utterly confused and miserable and in some cases inadequate. Fabulous hard working staff all round …. Admin…must do better you owe it to both patients and staff.