East Park Practice
CU
Chanelle U. 6 years ago • From Google
Bad
I sought assistance with gradually reducing my medication following a surgical procedure, approximately three weeks into my recovery, and mentioned that I was experiencing anxiety. The approach taken was to discontinue all of my medications at once, which would have required me to stop taking strong painkillers abruptly without any support or tapering plan. When I expressed concern about this, as sudden cessation of such medications can be unsafe, I was told that a referral to mental health services would be arranged and support for substance dependency would be renewed. I felt compelled to escalate this matter through formal complaints channels as I was facing a gap in my medication supply within a day. Eventually, another clinician at the practice agreed that a gradual reduction was the appropriate approach and prescribed accordingly. I later discovered that a recommendation for mental health assessment had been documented without my knowledge, though no action had been taken on it, which seemed inconsistent with the stated level of concern. The following day, I realised that the anxiety medication that had been promised was not provided, so I contacted the practice again. Whilst the reception staff were helpful, I found interactions with the practice management to be frustrating and dismissive. When I called back, I was spoken to in a manner that felt accusatory and impatient, with comments suggesting I should have registered elsewhere. It is concerning that patients can be left without necessary medications. I felt that my health concerns were not taken seriously in the same way that those raised by my partner were addressed, and my requests for help following two surgical procedures in quick succession left me feeling like a burden rather than a patient requiring legitimate care. I have decided to change practices and would advise others to consider alternatives. The clinician in question is also the sole provider available for much of the week and tends to dominate conversations during consultations rather than listening fully to patient concerns. I would rate this experience much lower if the system allowed.
Vikki l.