Topic ID 5175
I tried to book a doctor's appointment at Wallace House Surgery earlier and was told there was nothing available for THREE WEEKS. Is this normal? I rarely need to visit and I'm sure that last time I got something within a week.
Reply ID 73057
I'll let you know...............I'm just about to phone them.
Reply ID 73058
I also had to book a rare appointment recently and was told 3 weeks for my regular doctor due to his holiday, though 1 week for another doctor. I don't have a particular care who I see so I opted for the quicker time. I was given an option to be seen quickly, to attend the "turn up and wait" clinics held daily though I didn't view myself as an urgent case.
Reply ID 73059
Just called............Three weeks it is then!................
Reply ID 73061
quote:Is that for any doctor or was a specific one requested?
Originally posted by Mr fixit
Just called............Three weeks it is then!................
Reply ID 73062
That is strange,I had to see a doctor at Wallace House,5 weeks ago,I phoned in the morning and was seen that day.
Reply ID 73063
As far as I'm aware you can either book an appointment ie wait 3 weeks or go for an "emergency" appointment which means ringing in the morning and getting something that day. A large % of appointments are held back for people calling on the day.
Reply ID 73064
yeah, wallace house is a farce of a place. Although I dont know if any other doctors are better. Your best bet is to push the receptionist for an appointment that day - thats all you can do. When i called, the doctor called me back to check if i really needed an appointment, and his view was yes, come right in. It seems wrong that the receptionist actively tries to stop you booking an appointment. Just to be clear - The problem with Wallace house is the way it's ran and the supporting staff; I've had nothing but great experiences with the various doctors there.
Reply ID 73066
quote:It was for a specific doctor. So I guess it must be my fault for being picky...
Originally posted by Leo Densianquote:Is that for any doctor or was a specific one requested?
Originally posted by Mr fixit
Just called............Three weeks it is then!................
Reply ID 73070
I believe that there has recently in the past 4-6 weeks, been another "edict" from on high whereby the appointments/bookings systems in GP Surgeries has been changed. I too am supposed to call my surgery in Ware Road on the day I need to be seen and might get the opportunity to see someone, then again I am no longer allowed to book in advance???!!!!! Its all a bit odd, but something is definitely up at the moment. Perhaps others who use other surgeries in and around Hertford could let us know.. DQ's elderly parents who are in the Surgery a lot passed this information onto me.. so it makes me wonder hmmmm[}:)]
Reply ID 73071
Yep it is rubbish there, real computer says no mentality. Fortunately we have a gp service at work so I tend to use that for myself despite having to pay private prescription fees but have no choice when I need to take kids.
Reply ID 73072
At Hanscombe House Surgery at the other end of the street, if I want to get an appointment before about 10:00 a.m. (so that I can go into work and make up the time without having to book time off), it is normally about a week to see an unspecified GP. I can't remember how long it took the last time I tried to book a particular GP.
Reply ID 73073
Hanscombe House only book 2 weeks in advance so you never have to wait longer that that, I have to say they have always been most helpful to us and if I think it is urget they have fitted us in, on one occasion they even offered to send a doctor out to my mother without me asking! I have no experince of any other surgeries I am afraid................well not really afraid, how ever if it is urget try the new service at the hospital they are very helpful.
Reply ID 73075
Hanscombe House Surgery has always been very good - never a problem to get an emergency appointment and if I need to see a specific doctor it's rarely longer than a 1 week wait. Having said that, I can be pretty flexible on times - not sure how the surgery would do if I had to have an evening appointment?
Reply ID 73077
If you want/can afford to pay, you can get to see a GP at the Hertford Clinic in North Road (opposite the old Walters garage). I have only ever been there once and it cost about £70 and still took about three days. (I wasn't sure if the blocked ear I had was just wax or an infection and I couldn't get a non-emergency appointment in that particular instance for about two weeks. It turned out to be an infection, so the money was probably well spent.)
Reply ID 73085
I have never had a problem with Handscombe House Surgery. Usually I call in the morning and can get an appointment the same day if it is classed as urgent or within a week if not. Like Millie though I can be flexible on times and don't usually need to see a specific doctor.
Reply ID 73087
I'm registered at Castlegate Surgery and I think they're very good. As long as I call first thing in the morning I always get an appointment that day. And if I have symptoms of a condition I've had before, I call fist thing and ask the doctor to call me back. Fater they do that, they leave a prescription at reception for me to pick up - excellent service!
Reply ID 73088
I second that! P
quote:
Originally posted by Jo S
I'm registered at Castlegate Surgery and I think they're very good. As long as I call first thing in the morning I always get an appointment that day. And if I have symptoms of a condition I've had before, I call fist thing and ask the doctor to call me back. Fater they do that, they leave a prescription at reception for me to pick up - excellent service!
Reply ID 73090
I never have a problem with Ware Rd practice and generally get to see the doctor of my choice. If I am organised and book in advance I can usually get an appointment convenient for me. If I or any member of my family need to be seen on the day I ring through, there is never a problem. I think there are early morning and Saturday appointments available to book too. I would thoroughly recommend the practice. I generally do not wait long, when I attend my appointment, which is always a bonus, with a 9 month old baby!
Reply ID 73111
quote:There was a period of 6 months or so last year where their line was "because of swine flu and the possibility of doctors having to make housecalls, we're not making ANY appointments at all!". That was fun and not at all frustrating. [:(!] I find the most efficient way to deal with them now though (depending on how much doctor contact you need) is to either write a letter to a named doctor outlining your problem and asking them to ring you or, when you are lucky enough to get though to reception, ask a named doctor to ring you back (maybe any doctor works), although be aware that not all doctors look at their ring list so you may need to get reception to email them!
Originally posted by codek2
yeah, wallace house is a farce of a place. Although I dont know if any other doctors are better.
Reply ID 73114
Last time I called Wallace House they said you can no longer make bookings. If you need to see a doctor just call up at 8am and they will find you a slot that day. It may seem silly being seen under a so called "emergency" appointment that day if it's not an emergency but if they won't let you make bookings then what can you do? Seems great to me! I don't know what all the fuss is about? I want to see a doctor, I call them and they see me that day. Brilliant!!
Reply ID 73116
I really like wallace House. Yes if you want to see a GP the same day them you need to phone up at 8am, i find phoning the Tudor Way surgery easier than Wallace house to getting an appt. The receptionist can make appts for either Tudor Way or Wallace House. You can also ask to see the nurse practictioner who can prescribe medication. I have made a non urgent appt in 2 weeks time with my prefered GP.
Reply ID 73118
Even 2 weeks is pretty poor for a non-urgent appointment. And phoning at 8am just doesnt work; If you need to see a doc, you shouldnt have to wait in a queue on the phone for ages when you're already feeling ill.
Reply ID 73160
quote:The relaxing of the NHS (public decency act 1954) today, April 1st, should make things a little easier. More patients will be able to be seen as it is permitted to undress in the waiting room before seeing the doctor, rather than waste time in the consulting room. Government estimates that suggested that at least two extra patients per day will be seen if people cooperate in this way. It will be interesting to see how that works out in the Hertford Surgeries.
Originally posted by Steve
I tried to book a doctor's appointment at Wallace House Surgery earlier and was told there was nothing available for THREE WEEKS. Is this normal? I rarely need to visit and I'm sure that last time I got something within a week.
Reply ID 73161
I've been doing that anyway.........
Reply ID 73365
Can't remember the last time I went to the doctors but certainly was amazed with my dentist appointment - booked in for a routine check-up and they fitted me in immediately! Probably inundated with complaints from Bengeo residents about my halitosis... [:D]
Reply ID 73373
Phone Wallace House at 4pm, saw GP at 5.30pm same day :D
Reply ID 73395
GillP - either you know the receptionist, or you're very forceful on the phone, or the appointment is for a child - because that is NOT normal for wallace house at all.
Reply ID 73413
phoned Wallace House at 2.15 saw doctor at 4.40 never had a problem seeing a doctor.
Reply ID 73528
My experience is that you either wait 3 weeks or get an emergency "on the day" appt. However I will say that some of the the reception staff as extremely rude and unhelpful. I try to ring Tudor Way to get my appt for either clinic if they are open.
Reply ID 73793
After a couple of incidences a few years ago I moved from Wallace house across the road to Hanscombe house. I always had to fight for appointment at Wallace, even when I or my son REALLY needed it I could never get passed the receptionist. I'm much happier at Hanscombe they are busy but the receptionists are far more helpful and polite [:)]