Oakmeadow Surgery

I have been feeling incredibly frustrated with the service provided by my local surgery. It has become next to impossible to get an appointment with a doctor. I have called at exactly 8am and made over 500 calls only to get through after 9am when all appointments have already been taken. This is causing me to feel anxious and stressed whenever I need to call for an appointment. I have experienced some receptionists who have let the service down by being unempathetic and using negative language when dealing with patients. I understand that their job is difficult, but it's not acceptable for patients to be treated poorly when they are already feeling anxious and stressed. The strict 8am to 9am phone-in system means that people like me who work or have children are excluded from the ability to ring the number of times needed to secure an appointment. This is unfair and impractical, as not everyone can call during this specific time. Additionally, when I do manage to secure an appointment, I am required to be available all day to pick up a call from the doctor. This is extremely inconvenient and can cause huge problems for those who have work or other commitments. I have also experienced missed appointments and doctors not following through on scheduled calls. This is deeply concerning and demoralizing. It's frustrating to go through the trouble of securing an appointment, only to have it cancelled or not happen at all. It's unacceptable that patients are being forced to wait months to have their problems addressed, and it's clear that the current system is not working. While the doctors themselves may be kind and caring, the system they are operating under is causing harm to patients. Lastly, it's disheartening to hear that patients have to stand outside in the cold due to the lack of phone appointments being offered. This is not only inconvenient, but it's also potentially dangerous for those who are elderly or have health issues that could be exacerbated by exposure to the cold. In conclusion, I believe it's important for the surgery to rethink its current operating procedures and take steps to improve the service provided to patients like me. My concerns are valid and should be taken seriously. I hope that the surgery takes my feedback as constructive criticism and makes the necessary changes to provide a better experience for patients in the future I have also been deeply disappointed to learn that my local surgery is no longer accepting phone calls, and patients are now forced to queue outside in the cold to make appointments. This is not only inconvenient but also potentially dangerous, particularly for elderly or vulnerable patients who may struggle in the cold weather. It's concerning to me that the surgery is not providing a safe and accessible service for all patients.
Mar 25th, 2023

Trying to get an appointment is so difficult. You call countless times, when you get through there are no appointments left and you are told to queue outside the doctor's at 8am to get an appointment. When you work they ask if anyone can queue for you. I have queued before and so many people queue. They do not have the doctor's, staff or facilities to deal with the huge demand and amount of people in the catchment area.
Feb 13th, 2023

Been calling for 3 days now to get an appointment Ive called em 9:30 and they said to have to call us at 8:00 and now Im calling while its 8 oclock and its seems they still sleeping probably Bad management
Jan 26th, 2023

It's 2023 and you are still only offer telephone appointments? Hold on! Its joke not surgery! They should loose license to be GP! Its unbelievable unable to call and book basic appointment for 3 days, Ive spent 3 hours trying to call surgery. Worst ever surgery, unable to book appointments and need to use 111 instead. They should not be allowed to do so! And yet they are allowed to claim patient monies from NHS and unable to provide service!
Jan 25th, 2023

Very impressed with their improved service. Reception staff very helpful. Able to see a doctor on the same day as contacted.
Jan 25th, 2023