General Discussion
Barton Surgery
I phoned Barton Surgery at 8.50am and had a very rude receptionist not even giving me a chance to speak.
Ok perhaps there were no appointments left but to be told that every time you tried to speak is not acceptable.
Got the same yesterday, said I would visit minor injuries, all of a sudden I could be put on the emergency sit and wait at 5.45pm
you need to complain @ZIGGY, contact the practice manager.
My husband had the same thing when he rang late one afternoon. As someone who rarely goes to the doctor, when he asked if he could make an appointment the person taking the call (I'm not sure they are the receptionists) snapped at him saying that it was too late, despite the fact that he didn't want to make it that day and she didn't give him the time to finish his sentence. When he said he didn't want to make it that day she snapped again "Well you didn't say that".
They rightly want to be respected themselves when you go into the surgery but the respect goes both ways. There's no need to be so damn rude. If I spoke to people that way at work, I'd have lost my job many years ago.
Called into surgery mid-morning today to make appointment to see nurse for a routine matter. Had to wait 1 week for appointment. That's ok as it's non-urgent. What struck me was how few doctors were on duty; none of the 'established' ones like Drs. Pajovic, Alborough & Clements. Some names I didn't recognise. When are they starting on the new extension? What's going to happen when hundreds of new houses are built?
This is why the people of Dawlish wanted a new surgery near the new developments, but were the residents listened to, no. Now all that will happen is there will be more traffic in town and thus causing gridlock. There is also the fact that there are no designated parking spaces for those using the Barton Surgery, and with the extra people there will be more competition for parking spaces. So the staff will be moaning about residents being late or missing appointments, but they forget sometimes we have to wait upto 30 minutes after our alloted time, which has a knock on for those who are looking for a parking space to come free. This was flagged up when Barton Surgery applied for the expansion, but Teignbridge failed to take this into account, so it is the residents who will suffer once again.
If you read the Gatehouse planning application ALL of the new housing to be built in Dawlish are also covered by Starcross Surgery, but they are to gain no monies from the developers, with Barton Surgery taking it all. Starcross complained that they are already accepting new residents who are choosing to go with them rather than Barton Surgery. Maybe the residents of Dawlish could ask Starcross to expand by starting up a satellite surgery within the new housing proposed at Langdon. This would take the pressure off of the Barton Surgery and enable current residents signed up to the Dawlish practice to actually get an appointment.
Cassandra, I am concerned whether the Dawlish Surgery are to get a loan to build the extension or will have to wait for Teignbridge to pay them. Why? each house built has to contribute and it is Teignbridge who have to collect the monies in and pass it on in lump sums. If that is the case and it comes in dribs and drabs then there is no way of knowing when the extension will happen. The point is the Surgery would have to have x amount of funds in place before they could consider starting the project at all. They have no crystal ball and there is no guarantee at what rate the developments would progress and if something went wrong with the economy the building could slow down or even stall altogether, so no further funds. Therefore, it will be interesting to see how they plan to fund this grand scheme, in what appears an uncertain situation, with no guarantees.
Twice recently I had cause to complain to the practise manager about the way I have been treated by staff there.
I hasten to add that it wasn't the doctors. They all do a grand job.
Not only the surgery though, the pharmacy is just as bad especially with the amount of time you have to wait for prescriptions.
I have ordered online and gone down to collect it 2 weeks later and it still wasn't ready.
And also of course should there be a care home (or two) built amongst all this new build housing then that will more than likely mean doctors having more call out visits.
I think I caught something at the last TDC planning committee meeting about local GPs expressing concerns about this extra workload but that NHS Devon (or some similar body) could envisage no problem.
Obviously the people taking the calls are feeling a little stressed. If everyone who felt the people taking the calls at the surgery were being to abrupt a few e-mails to those in charge might work.
I'm afraid it's a culture thing not allowing you to speak not just with the doctors office but any so called customer service rep here in the UK. The way to handle it is not to speak let them do all the yapping, and then when the person ask's are you still there just ask them to repeat otherwise shut the hell up and listen to what the customer has to say. As for waiting times at the surgery ask if you should bring a sandwhich or lunch for your wait.
Personally i have never had a problem the staff have always been friendly when phoning always get a appointment when i want one, have had to wait sometimes a little longer than my stated appointment time but hey it gives me chance to read national geographic.
Just got a letter from Barton surgery today from A J P Clements stating 'I am currently reviewing patients' blood tests and noticed that a previous blood test you had suggested that you may have a touch of diabetes'.
Now the only blood test I have ever had at Barton surgery was around 2-3 years ago and I only agreed because they kept banging on everytime I went in about having a blood test and measuring my blood pressure. I never heard anything back from them after having the blood test and taking a blood pressure unit home for a week and then handing it back to the surgery with the results.
I can only say that my blood pressure went up when I read the letter. It certainly gives me little confidence in how they handled this. I might see them in a couple of years or so.
I had the same letter today, but only on Wednesday this week I had my yearly MOT by Dr Clements and he said I was 100% fit, my age is 73 and not on any pills.
I believe General Practice receive payments for 'preventative measures' such as blood tests and checks. Don't know the specifics but a GP friend of mine (not in this region) recently had to sack their practice manager for falsifying their records.
@Carer, thankyou for the info, but having had a blood test 2 to 3 years ago i was aware that the g.p. did not sully there hands with this menial task. what i was getting at is there may be a form of revenue from carrying out things such as periodic blood tests.
Seems like the remaining Mrs C haters will say and do anything to divert attention from their own curious behaviour. Perhaps it's Multiple Personality Disorder - maybe Barton Surgery get paid per personality 