Havens Health / Meridian Surgery

I tried all day to contact Meridian surgery. When I eventually got through after hours of phoning I was told I could only phone to book an appointment at certain times of the day, and seeing as I missed both times (because I couldn’t get through) there were no appointments left for the doctors or the nurses’. I couldn’t speak to a doctor, and the doctors e- consultation service had stopped. If I felt my condition was serious they go to A&E ! Being type 1 diabetic a COVID hotspot is the last place I want to go with a painful hip, which my GP could’ve helped me with if I could’ve got an appointment!

After covid I slowly recovered I bother no doctor until after i had hearing problems so I tried n tried all day calling by phone no answer! Then I had enough went upto the surgery greeted by very unsympathetic deputy manager who could not careless telling me I can't make appointment I have to telephone! So rude uncaring towards me I was feeling exhausted I just wanted talk to doctor ! No u can't she said so I was forced to call and stand in cold wind they could see me waiting some miracle or by fact I was seen outside they answer phone ! Very shame full service no empathy nothing just treated like numbers !! So after all that I finally got doctor call me few hours later nice enough but clearly not know her patient once again little sympathy but at least dealt with problem and arrange meds. We understand its not easy time its time your patient need u most don't treat them like dead horses !! Show some understanding instead of arguing they maybe unwell and want help !

Once I managed to get through and get an over the phone appointment, I had to say it was a heart issue to be seen (which it was!). The doctor called me back and I had to send photos of the affected areas but was told no doctors available to see me. They made me an appointment with the paramedic who was superb, but I was then referred to the doctor the next day. The care shown by the doctor was good, as he has now referred me to Cardiac team in Brighton, but making the contact with them is not easy. Also I actually ended up seeing 2 people and talking to a doctor on the phone so in effect had contact with 3 people whereas if I could have just seen the doctor first time that would have limited contact and I think make better use of their time. Probably still not enough doctors for the large area they have to cover.

Just echoing most other posts, it is nearly impossible to get through to the Surgery. I hear that they are or have expanded the number of lines and receptionists but if they have done this then it has made no difference at all.
I have been with this Surgery for a very long time and I feel that the care for the patient is now missing

I've been registered with the surgery for more than 20 years. It's slowly gone downhill in recent years, the care when you get it is fine, but the biggest problem now is getting an appointment to get the care you need. When there was a walk in surgery, you could be seen on the day, now the only way to get an appointment is by phone which I've found means staying on hold for ages only to be cut off after 20 minutes. I tried using systmonline last week, where I've made an appointment before, only to find that option has been removed without notice. I understand with Covid 19 the surgery will be busier, but if this is the case, then it needs to be communicated better. My wife and I were sent a text from the surgery for a flu jab, which we would like to have, but I have been unable to get through to the surgery. I will probably try to find a pharmacist instead for the flu jab. An urgent review needed to sort this out.

Since Rowe avenue surgery joined Meridian surgery it’s been a nightmare just to get through on the telephone when you do get through the reception staff do try and meet your needs

My 90 year old mother has had difficulty getting eye gel prescription which was prescribed by Eye Hospital. She was with Rowe Avenue surgery for over 40 years. No letter sent to patients telling them of merger. She held on the phone for over 20 minutes tried for days to get through.
Goodness knows how they are going to sort out covid vaccine.

I am a carer for an elderly gentleman with cancer and other ailments....so many mistakes made with the staff at the surgery. My own experience....prescriptions late in coming through, staff who are under pressure and rude.....no access to Dr's....phones not answered.

Reading the complaints, I don't know whether I have just been lucky or you only have people on here who have had a bad experience. In the last 3 weeks, I've had three blood tests and one ECG. I have had to ring surgery three times and got through each time. The doctor/nurses have rung when they said they would. The only reason I haven't put 5 stars is that my husband tried to call this morning, but got a message saying no calls being taken.

I have been trying to get an appointment for weeks now as my daughter is suffering from an ongoing issue that we need to speak to a Dr about. This is the pattern, we are told to call at 8.00, after finally getting through following a 30 mnute wait the receptionist says there are no appointments call at 2.00. I call at 2.00 only to find the phone is just not answered. I repeat call for 20 times and there is no response. Again the next morning I call at 8.00 only to find the same cycle, I am told no appointments, call at 2.00, and at 2.00 there are again no appointments call at 8.00. This surgery is becoming ludicrous. I am extremely concerned that they are unable to provide even a minimum health service for this area. The merger of the surgeries has led to no service whatsoever and it is putting lives at risk. I strongly believe there needs to be an urgent quality review and audit of what is being provided by this surgery, against what they are being paid by the CCG. Failing surgeries should either be put under special measures and if there's no improvement new management should be installed.