Beacon Surgery (GP Surgery)

My daughter has had ongoing health concerns and it has come to a head on the 13th of January when she was rushed into A&E. On discharge we were repeatedly told by the Hospital that it was our GP's responsibility to oversee her care and sort out referrals and further treatment for her. She was supposed to be admitted for inpatient care but it is now 3 weeks later and I have got her home looking after her 24/7 as she is still very ill. We had one GP tell us to go to A&E and say she is suicidal so that she will be admitted to a psychiatric inpatient in Maidstone. She is not a psychiatric patient, she has ARFID and was in hospital with tachycardia, starvation ketosis, hypophosphatasaemia and dehydration. She desperately wants to get better and there is just no help for us. We are not receiving urgent care for her despite chasing the GP daily. I was even asked by the GP if I have any ideas as to what she can do! It was crucial that they rebalance her phosphates and out of all the bloods they took, they did not take phosphate! We are exhausted as a family and my daughter struggles every day with nausea, dizziness, weakness, no energy and is struggling to do the most basic things for herself (she is 21). This could have been avoided on the 6th of January when we phoned the GP and told her she was dizzy which was new and still very nauseous. The GP only upped her dose of prochlorperazine and did not see her, it was done over the phone. There was another incident where the GP wanted to send her to A&E as she said she had appendicitis and actually she had been having a severe reaction to gluten as she has coeliac disease. This all contributes to anxiety in my daughter and fear of trusting that they have her best interests at heart. She has gone from getting A*s in her A-levels to being unable to get up over the last 3 years. How is no-one following up on this and seeing her through? Surely if they acted in a timely way there will be a chance for her to fully recover and become a contributing member of society. The irony is that she wanted to become a nurse or occupational therapist and she is being let down by so many services that are seemingly available on the NHS but each service thinks the other department is dealing with it or it is not their remit and in the meantime my daughter's life quality is deteriorating daily. No parent wants to see their child suffer like this and it is shocking as I am sure they would not let their child go through what she has been through the last 3 years! I have many more examples over the last 3 years at Beacon Surgery where she was just fobbed off as ;just having anxiety'. One of the GP's even told us that she worked with people with learning disabilities implying my daughter has learning disabilities! We are hoping for help but it is not forthcoming and if all we have to rely on is our GP, what are we supposed to do if they are not competent or proactive?

Phoned to get a same-day phone consultation for a relative in severe pain. I phoned as soon as surgery opened and lines were constantly engaged. Redialled 59 times before I got through to an automated service which told me I was 17th in a queue for my call to be taken. When I finally got through to a receptionist, was told there were no available appointments and to ring back tomorrow. I asked if I would be guaranteed an appointment if I rung the following day and was told no. Not acceptable.

Called at 8am to get appointment, left in queue for 30mins, get through to receptionist, no appointments left!!! This happened on 3 consecutive mornings!! I know GP’s are greatly stretched, but it is impossible to speak/see a GP!!

There is a notice up saying you will get a 'named GP' but this does not happen. I am waiting a month for a referral for both hands.

Reception staff rude and changed practice surgery as a result

Being diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes 2 years ago I have had amazing support from all the staff at Beacon Surgery.

The team and care provided is superb and as a mother of 2 young children, I am never dismissed, as a "neurotic mother", when I have even the smallest concern about my children.