Havens Health / Meridian Surgery

Cannot get a repeat prescription as medication review is due, but can't get through to get an appointment either. No blood pressure medication for a month now.

I have on several times tried to contact the surgery to make an appoint but it can take well over 200 tries or several days only to be told they have no appointments left. The staff who answer the phone are incredibly rude and they dont give their name either. This has been going on for years since they shut the other two surgeries and is now worse since they joined with rowe Avenue. Some doctors also have a “well I cant help” attitude too because some health issues are too complex and will take extra time to resolve.

I have been trying for 2 weeks now to get an appointment i start ringing first thing and I get no answer when I do get an answer i am told by a rude receptionist all appointments are booked and to call back after 2pm call back later and I have the same problem cant get through. Cant go and wait outside like I used to as you are turned away and told to ring the surgery. Its not good when you need to see someone.

Takes continuous redials to talk to a receptionist just to be told there are no appointment or it’s only for emergencies. My issue I felt needed to be see by a doctor but the receptionists decided it wasn’t. I ended up going to A&E and having my issue sorted. I was very unwell after two weeks of trying to get past the receptionist. Also prescription ordering. I phone to have a phone consultation about medication but can’t get through or again no appointments. I ran out of critical medication even though I ordered in plenty of time.

The receptionists are often cold, rude and dismissive. They also act as doctors telling you that something is not urgent when I as the patient know it is very urgent eg: severe mental distress. I also once had an infected skin abscess; when explaining to the receptionist she informed me that she would not give me a phone appointment because a pimple is not urgent. I ended up in a&e at the weekend, in terrible pain and was put on antibiotics.
The receptionists need to stop thinking they are in a position to decide what is and what isn't urgent; only a qualified GP can do that!

The doctors on the whole are very good. With some exemptions. It is just getting an appointment or even getting through to the surgery.

I had an appointment as I found a lump in my breast. I found the Female doctor to be very cold and I had to ask to be referred as she wanted me to wait another month. I’ve had a similar experience several times with this GP to the point I’d rather not have an appointment. I have had great support from the nurses. Paramedic also very good, called to check things were okay.
I am concerned by how many calls are required to get through as had to call 48 times to try and get through, although found the new system to complete on the website where they call you back was successful.

Trying to get through to get an appointment is near on hopeless. I don’t even bother unless my chest is really bad, I just self medicate from a pharmacy.

I spent 40 mins trying to get through only to be told to ring 111! I am a Rowe avenue patient not used to this standard of care, I am going to try Saltdean and Newhaven surgeries to see if they will accept me and my family

Had go private to get treatment for infection