Longfield Medical Centre
LA
Liam A. 3 years ago • From Google
Bad
It's no surprise the Emergency Departments are completely swamped right now. The service from this GP practice yesterday and today was absolutely appalling. I diligently followed Longfield Medical Centre's website guidelines for cold and flu symptoms, which instructed me to contact 111 for medical advice. A GP was then assigned, who completely ignored the crucial details in the 111 report. These details were critical: My daughter is 3 years old (which alone should have warranted at least a two-minute consultation). My daughter had been suffering from what I suspected was an infection, now confirmed as tonsillitis, for two weeks. Her condition had progressively worsened and deteriorated. Her temperature had escalated to 39.3 C (apparently irrelevant if it's not COVID-related) These are unmistakable signs that antibiotics were necessary. No medical degree is required to understand this. I received an extremely apologetic call from Longfield's reception, as the GP had deemed my 3-year-old daughter unworthy of a mere five-minute phone consultation! I was assured a callback within 24 hours to discuss her symptoms. Tragically, this was far too late, as my child's temperature continued rising, ultimately leading to a seizure and an ambulance trip to the hospital for tonsillitis treatment - on the same day I desperately pleaded with the receptionist to have the doctor reconsider, only to be told he was with a patient. I cannot comprehend why my daughter suffered such an ordeal, which could have been entirely prevented if the GP surgery wasn't so reluctant to see patients. And finally, the GP called us the next day at 15:01, by which time we had already obtained antibiotics through the hospital visit. They waited a full 24 hours before bothering to make contact. What purpose does a GP serve if they cannot provide help when it's most critical? This demonstrates a complete lack of compassion, and anyone lacking compassion has no business being a doctor. It's evidently become about maximizing time and money, rather than caring for people.
Ben E.