Seaforth Farm Surgery

Prescribing over the phone, no face to face appointment offered despite ongoing concerns of condition worsening.

My experience was twofold.
After contracting a urine infection over a weekend, I was unable to actually put a sample in till the Tuesday, I checked daily to be told, " no results", I went in on the Friday, no results were in, but I had an infection and no-one had contacted me.
I took 5he antibiotics, but by the following weekend, the symptoms returned, they weren't as bad, so I thought I'd leave it, but decided to put a sample in on the Tuesday.
Left it as I was expecting them to contact me, so went in on the Friday, still feeling yuk, the only message on my notes was " correct antibiotics given", I put in another sample which I was assured would be dipped that day, it wasn't! Rang Monday morning to make an appointment as I believed it was due to other issues, however the person handling the call told me to just wait I felt that she had fobbed me off as she has done twice before in not giving me appointments when I did actually need one.
I went in to the surgery in the afternoon and saw a lovely receptionist who bent over backwards to get me sorted, I had an in surgery appointment booked within 10 minutes!

Phoned for blood test results - dialled 32 times, finally got through and was put on hold for a further 20 mins. Finally got through and blood test results all fine so wanted to book an appointment to see a Dr for my daughter who is suffering with her mental health. Apparently it has to be a phone consult - try and get a 14 yr old to speak to someone on the phone - they need face to face interaction and for the Dr to be able to see her body language/emotion. Nope not allowed phone call only and then the clinician will decide if a face to face is required. Very frustrating and I sincerely hope that anyone else dealing with their mental health is taken far more seriously. I totally we are in the middle of COVID but surely patients should be able to see a Dr? The Surgery has LIVI and Engage Consult which we are encouraged to use but what about the elderly who don't use the internet. Plus with these services available then surely there must be more staff available to answer the phone!!! On the plus side the lady on the phone was very sympathetic. Sympathy doesn't deal with the situation though does it?

Spent all afternoon continually redialling to return a call made by the nurse in the morning. The phone was continually engaged. Finally managed to get the phone to ring but it wasn't answered for over 15 minutes at around 4.30pm. Was told by the receptionist that they only had 2 people answering the phone and the receptionist suggested we contact our MP to complain! Phone contact is always really difficult and this has been ongoing for several years.

Unfortunately unable to get through on the phone to arrange an appointment for my son to have stitches removed. It doesn’t help that I can’t pop down to surgery to book an appointment. I appreciate Covid means that we can’t do things that we would normally do but I should be able to book an appointment

I am trying to get an appointment for a nasty place on my face which is constantly weeping. I have been trying to get through for a week at different times and it is engaged all the time. i have a suspicion it is of the hook. How do you get to see someone?

Trying to obtain an appointment or even advice for a very poorly person who was so ill they couldn't get out of bed for the telephony staff to be dismissive, rude and unhelpful

Following an accident I was referred, by A&E, for a nurse appointment. Although fully booked they managed to fit me in. I was called in 5 minutes before the appointment time and given excellent treatment for my injury. The phone waiting time is unacceptable but the treatment by the nurses is brilliant.

Having waited on hold for 55 mins trying to get through to make an appointment, was told none were available and no bookable ones for 2 weeks. Told to ring again at 08:30 in morning to try again!! This happens all the time and obviously they need more staff, telephone lines and doctors. My doctor is wonderful when eventually get to see them.

A long wait for an appointment. Long wait (10 days) for medication. Seaforth Surgery long wait. Have to go in for an appointment. Telephone never answerered.