Crawcrook Medical Centre
I(
Iris (. 2 years ago • From Google
Bad
Following nearly a year and a half of attempting to manage a long-term health condition, which resulted in significant employment difficulties due to declining health, I attended over eight appointments before eventually receiving a diagnosis and referral. Unfortunately, the referral was directed to an incorrect department. A subsequent three-month wait for a follow-up appointment followed, during which I was informed that the presenting condition had not been encountered in over a decade and all testing would need to be repeated from the beginning. During another consultation addressing complex mental wellbeing concerns—which had been significantly worsened by the ongoing health situation and the challenges experienced in receiving appropriate care—I was presented with what felt like a choice: pursue assessment for one aspect of my mental health difficulties, or rejoin a support list from which I had been removed after two years of waiting. This approach seemed to suggest that comprehensive mental health support addressing multiple interconnected conditions simultaneously was not available. The reality is that various mental health and neurodevelopmental conditions frequently occur together and require individualised, multifaceted treatment approaches. Treating only one aspect while neglecting others is insufficient for proper care. When attempting to lodge a formal complaint, I found no accessible contact details for the practice management team. Over fifteen months, my health has deteriorated considerably beyond what would have occurred had my concerns been taken seriously and current clinical guidelines been properly applied from the outset. The lack of accessible complaint procedures, combined with the fragmented approach to care, represents a significant failing. A healthcare service should serve all members of the community equitably, yet this practice appears to be falling short of that fundamental responsibility. The impact of prolonged delays and inadequate support on vulnerable patients' wellbeing is a serious concern that demands urgent attention and change.
john k.