Long delays, closed for business
I rang the surgery as I was told on my last repeat prescription that I needed a review before I could order more medication. I had to get the phone number from facebook as it has changed following the merge to SHP. I was no 48 in the queue at 9.30am. I filled in the online form following advice from a facebook group. After 4 days I got a text to say I would have a telephone appointment over a week after my initial online form was submitted. My telephone appointment was with a doctor I have never had contact with before. She told me I needed a blood pressure check. I went to book an appointment with the nurse(which she discouraged). This phone call was at the end of a week off from work. I told her I needed an appointment after 4pm due to full time work commitments. (I have previously had smears after work pre SHP and was told at the time by the nurse they do later appointments so people can get there). The doctor told me the nurse only works between 9.30 and the latest appointment is 3.20pm. I work in a school so I cannot get time off during school hours/term time so this was unsuitable. The doctor told me to buy my own blood pressure machine (She told me the brand to buy)(which I will only use once a year) for over £25. I felt I had no choice as I can't wait until after Covid as they only gave me 2 months worth if pills. Nor can I wait until my next school holidays to go to the surgery as I will.run out of medication before then. I was pretty dissatisfied with the level of service and the expectation that I should have to spend over £25 when I could have my blood pressure taken at the surgery. There was no question about my circumstances or affordability about whether I could do this. I was then told to phone back with my result which I am dreading as this could take my whole lunch half hour, longer if I'm number 48 again!