Havens Health / Meridian Surgery
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Reviews (171)
Very bad
August 1, 2023
Waiting time was very bad I was not able to stay in a no air room for two hours
Uncaring
September 27, 2022
On Tuesday 20th September I phoned to ask if I could have an urgent EGC as I believed myself to be in AF. At that time, my request was dismissed by one of the receptionist and I was told that I had to get a request from a doctor. Therefore, that evening I emailed the surgery.
I did not receive a response until Thursday 22nd September when I got this text message:
Following your letter, we have booked you a telephone call with Dr Gurtler tomorrow morning to discuss it. If you are not going to be able to take this call please contact us. Many thanks.
I duly called the surgery to explain that I could take a call on Friday, only for one of the only helpful staff to recognise that I am a priority patient. Thankfully she organised an ECG for half an hour my speaking with her and I was quickly able to contact my consultant.
I am now in the hospital (out of county) after a cardio version to get me back into sinus rhythm.
As a patient with a congenital heart and lung condition that is well known to the surgery, I am astonished that the Dr who is supposedly the lead at the clinic was unable to recognise the urgency of this himself.
Yes, I could have gone to A&E but I didn’t feel it warranted that as I knew what the problem was. All it took was a five minute ECG. I recognise that this isn’t possible for anyone as you would be inundated, however as a patient with a long history of heart and lung issues I would have thought the surgery may have been a little more supportive.
I will be contacting the CCG and NHS England to further complain and I am aware my hospital consultant is also going to express his concern to the surgery.
I know nothing is going to change because I am aware of the huge number of complaints about this surgery over the past 4 years, however fingers crossed, one day someone will support the patients and action will be taken against the appalling, dangerous and lack of care the residence of Peacehaven receive from this practice, the only one available in the area.
I did not receive a response until Thursday 22nd September when I got this text message:
Following your letter, we have booked you a telephone call with Dr Gurtler tomorrow morning to discuss it. If you are not going to be able to take this call please contact us. Many thanks.
I duly called the surgery to explain that I could take a call on Friday, only for one of the only helpful staff to recognise that I am a priority patient. Thankfully she organised an ECG for half an hour my speaking with her and I was quickly able to contact my consultant.
I am now in the hospital (out of county) after a cardio version to get me back into sinus rhythm.
As a patient with a congenital heart and lung condition that is well known to the surgery, I am astonished that the Dr who is supposedly the lead at the clinic was unable to recognise the urgency of this himself.
Yes, I could have gone to A&E but I didn’t feel it warranted that as I knew what the problem was. All it took was a five minute ECG. I recognise that this isn’t possible for anyone as you would be inundated, however as a patient with a long history of heart and lung issues I would have thought the surgery may have been a little more supportive.
I will be contacting the CCG and NHS England to further complain and I am aware my hospital consultant is also going to express his concern to the surgery.
I know nothing is going to change because I am aware of the huge number of complaints about this surgery over the past 4 years, however fingers crossed, one day someone will support the patients and action will be taken against the appalling, dangerous and lack of care the residence of Peacehaven receive from this practice, the only one available in the area.
Never able to get a face to face appointment
August 21, 2022
For many years it has been virtually impossible to get a face to face appointment, in the first step is a phone consultation which can be within a 4 hour slot, next when talking to a member of staff they informed me that the doctors usually only work 2 or 3 days a week, despite having a lot of names on the notice board clearly at least half aren't there. We have had many frustrating times getting appointments and when you compare to nearby surgery's in Salt Dean and Newhaven they don't appear to have these problems.
On a positive note the nursing staff are great and have always been so.
On a positive note the nursing staff are great and have always been so.
Service very good when you are seen !
July 18, 2022
It is most difficult to get a Face to Face appointment . Waiting lists are very long. Staff are most helpful and kind in these difficult times.
Never any appointments
July 12, 2022
My wife received a call from the surgery that they were unable to prescribe one of her medications and she needed to make an appointment with a GP to discuss the issue. I waited on the phone for 40 minutes only to be told that there were no appointments - this was 40 minutes after opening! My wife called back later on the same day - as advised - when further appointments would become available, only to be told after waiting on hold for ages that once again they had no appointments and to call back after the weekend. Four days after the original prescription had been requested and after another 40 minute wait immediately after the surgery had opened, I was once again told that there were no appointments and I should call back later. I advised the receptionist that this issue was now urgent as my wife was running out of medication and all she could say was call back later. I contested that if I called back later I would be given the same response that all the appointments had gone. I questioned why the surgery was able to call my wife to tell her she needed to make an appointment, but wasn't actually able to make the appointment. I was told to call back later. I asked when I could call when I would actually be able to get an appointment and the receptionist said she couldn't guarantee anything. I told her that I could guarantee that if my wife ran out of medication she would start to suffer withdrawal symptoms. I was told to call back later!
Poor service
May 10, 2022
My wife phone for an appointment. She took the option of someone will ring back. Next time she spoke to the receptionist and complained that no one rang back. She was told the message needs changing and they are working on it
Fair
April 7, 2022
I find they are getting better but still Lack of appointment and time to answer the phone
Phone call back
February 18, 2022
I phoned to ask for some advice and was told I was number 34 in the queue to speak to someone. I was offered a ring back when I got to number 1 in the queue. Although the system to allow this is difficult to use, I did get a phone call back, and was able to make an appointment
Excellent Service
January 4, 2022
I am always the first to grumble but I am delighted with the service I received today despite it being after a long weekend plus all the usual issues with COVID. The receptionist couldn’t have been more understanding and a GP phoned me very quickly and really listened to my concerns. Thank you - I feel very reassured.
Disorganised, rudderless, hopeless - I could
August 4, 2021
After redialing the contact number 177 times, then sufferings 20 minutes on hold to be told "no appointments phone at 2pm" when I just needed a GP to actually do their job and actually look at a blood test. They had obviously glanced at it and missed an important item further in. Finally got the person to "Task" the GP concerned. Nothing... Phone next day (repeat above telephone experience) to be told, "no, no tasking registered". Text received today along the lines of "whoops, your right, sorry about that"... This is not good enough and, unfortunately not unusual. I had a long conversation with the practice manager just under five months ago and was assured "things would get better". Today nothing has got better, worse but not better. Just how long do we have to wait until we have a surgery that is fit for purpose? It most definitely not fit for purpose now.
