The Bosmere Medical Practice

I have been a patient of the health centre since July 2019 and everyone there has mostly been very helpful. I’ve suffered from stroke, cancer and now an autoimmune disease, all through the various treatments and minor illnesses along the way, the doctors and nurses have been exceptional. Thanks to a very diligent GP, my cancer was treated at a very early stage and scans, etc can no longer detect any cancer. The care that I received during COVID was excellent under the circumstances and I am very fortunate to have such caring GP’s. I have unfortunately had the experience of an extremely bad GP and practice before I was transferred to this clinic, so I do really appreciate having the care that I receive. Thank you to all the staff, nurses and doctors, you are all appreciated.

Always had the best care from Dr. Bracegirdle and all other medical professionals. However there is someone new on the phone lines that incredibly rude and has had me in tears multiple times. I worry about anyone else they talk to that is vulnerable and needs understanding and care rather than being laughed at.

Been dealing with this surgery for a long time on behalf of a family member. Main downside is the practise of calling and holding on for sometimes up to 30 minutes to get an appointment but that seems to be the way of things these days. In all other respects I have found both the Doctors and the Reception Staff to be friendly efficient professional and helpful. If it wasn't such a challenge getting appointments this surgery would be faultless.

Saturday
It has been almost impossible to make an appointment. It’s taken us 2 weeks After numerous amount of phone calls and trying to get on line, and waiting in queue’s you get to the end of the queue then get told all the appointments have gone! ,
So today I went into the surgery for a flu jab The older woman on reception was rude and made me feel like I was putting her out each time I asked for something ie (specimen bottles) she told me to come back after I’d had my jab which was fine, so I went back , (The Doctor had told me to book a blood test and pick up specimen bottle when I came in for my flu jab) She rolled her eyes at me and apologised to the receptionist who was sat next to her as if to say I was taking up too much of her time.
I asked if I could book a blood test and she said No this is a Flu clinic ! And I would have to phone up ?
I said are you joking ? It’s taken me 2 weeks to speak to a Doctor. The Dr has told me to come in and book the test when I have my flu jab and you won’t do it ? I then asked again Please can I book a blood test there is no one else in the queue waiting. She glared at me tutted. Then finally booked it which took her 30 seconds.
She certainly don’t want to do the job she’s paid to.
She needs training in customer service.
I was only doing what the Dr had told me to do.
I have been with this practice for 60 years apart from 2 years when I lived away right back from when they were in Riders Lane, I hardly ever go to see a Dr and feel really let down.
I am now looking around for another practice which will hopeful treat you better and hopefully be easier to book appointments.

Thursday
(Different receptionest this time)
Just been back for my appointment and the receptionest Wendy Lovest was lovely, Had a smile on her face and was very kind and helpful! Why can't they all be like this.
It's not right when you come to the Drs being made feel bad when you leave

How are you expected to see a doctor if you don't have a smart phone!
Absolutely ridiculous service. Can't book an appointment in advance so have to call back and be on hold forever again. Then advised to download app or travel to a different town

Really not happy with the way the Receptionist spoke today I'm being sent to another doctors because I can't get an appointment with my own doctors I've been trying all week to see my own doctor I try not to ever go to the doctors haven't been for years but need them right there just dosent seem to be any empathy from the receptionists but seem to try and diagnose you on the phone like your not Important fed up with people being rude and cost nothing to be kind they make you feel guilty about calling still waiting on a call today to tell me a time for Saturday because I'm not allowed to ring the surgery myself

Preface: The GPs are great...when you can see them. I have been with this practice three years and today was the worst thing I've experienced;
Appointment booking system is a joke. I call at 8am and am on hold 25 minutes, okay sure you expect that these days. But when I'm answered I get told "nothing this morning" okay cool I wanted afternoon anyway because I'm at work today and can't drop everything and leave. "oh but you have to call at 1:30 for that." no problem, I do my thing. I call at 1:30, and am on hold for FIFTY MINUTES - including five minutes at the end of the queue but waiting to actually have my incoming call answered when it hit the queue - to be told, "oh there were never any appointments this afternoon, go to [other town] walk in clinic tonight. so immediately after work I do; to wait 2 hours, to be told - wait for it:
"We cannot even triage that and it's chronic at this stage; did your GP tell you that?"
"No, the receptionist did."
"Yeah no, they should not have done that because all I can say is you'll have to go back to them and get referred, we can't do anything with that."
Okay...so I decide I'll go back home and do the e-consult. Oh no; it closes at [whenever] and doesn't reopen until 8am. come back and do it all again tomorrow. So I wasted a day, three hours of my free time, my money and fuel (the car park in [other town hospital] charged me too much because of the way we were forced to pay thanks to out of order equipment - 150% what I should have paid!!!) and didn't get anywhere at all.
Not happy, at all.

I have a problem.
I can barely breathe, I am asthmatic and suffering from, apparently, an asthma attack.
I did foolishly try ringing the surgery, being number 13 in a queue that got dropped after about 15 minutes, then tried again only to be again dropped; then again. I tried again in the afternoon with the same repeated result. And again the following day, and the day after, in fact every day last week without ever getting through.
I did get through to 111, who gave me steroids and told me to get in contact with my doctor, due to how much I was taking my reliever inhaler, but who could not explain exactly how.
This week (it is Wednesday now) I have tried each day at the appointed times and got through only once; the lady told me there were no appointments to be had and to try tomorrow, and if I needed anything more to try the walk in centres or to go to A&E. I could book an appointment on line if I was registered (I am not) or I have to ring in and hope; I've rung in each day, unsuccessfully obviously. I rang ten times this morning between 8.00-8.30am and the line went straight to engaged - big joke, you guys.
This is utterly pathetic.
The staff might be great, but this situation is just terrible. I am coughing and wheezing, I am not sleeping very well and running out of the only meds that remotely do anything but the people who I would normally turn to are not interested. I hate to think how those who are really ill are getting on!