FR

Fraser R. 7 months ago • From Google

Rating

Bad

Long phone queues made calling back difficult

I was given the option of a telephone consultation and had to wait several weeks before receiving the call. Unfortunately I wasn't available when it came through, so I attempted to ring back straight away as I understood the practice was still open. Following an unhelpful and rather impersonal automated message, I found myself waiting on the line for more than 5 minutes positioned first in the queue. I made another attempt with comparable results. When the clinician eventually reached me later that same day, I mentioned this frustration. Subsequently there was another incoming call, presumably from the surgery with further information, and once more I experienced a lengthy hold of nearly 5 minutes as the first person waiting when I tried to return it. I would recommend using the NHS app contact form rather than attempting to telephone the practice directly, as they do not provide an email address for communication.

St Stephens House Surgery

7 months ago

Thank you for taking the time to post a review, we appreciate all feedback and review at our meetings. I'm sorry that you missed your booked telephone appointment with the GP and had to wait for 4.37 minutes in position 1, for future reference you could have requested a callback which would have saved you having to hang up and callback. You spoke to one of my receptionists who apologised that your call was not answered and explained that we 2 members of staff in reception taking calls and dealing with patient queries both on the phone and in person. Unfortunately some calls do take longer, especially for those extremely unwell or older patients. My staff do an exceptional job ensuring that they spend the time required for each patient. For example your call took over 8 minutes which meant the member of staff was unable to answer a call from another patient. I hope you will now understand why staff can't answer calls immediately, with over 6000 patients answering calls as soon as patients ring is not achievable. Thank you again for your time Jane White Practice Manager

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