Cherrymead Surgery
CO
Chris O. 6 years ago • From Google
Bad
I initially relocated to this area from West London 11 years ago, and back then, the surgery was excellent with accessible appointments and responsive staff. Recent experience: Attempting to call from 8am, the message indicates they're overwhelmed and advise calling back later. Persistent attempts finally get me in the queue, but by 8:50am, all appointments are gone. Despite having multiple doctors and two floors, the inability to pre-book means all daily slots vanish instantly. This suggests they deliberately limit patient access, with seemingly empty rooms and part-time doctors not adequately covering their shifts. Previously: A private physiotherapist treated my severe shoulder pain when I couldn't see a doctor. The physio professionally recommended a steroid injection. After a 45-minute phone wait and walking around, I found staff casually chatting in both back and front offices. When I activated speakerphone to highlight my prolonged hold, they claimed staff training was the reason. I secured a 3pm doctor's appointment. The doctor agreed I needed an injection but couldn't administer it, directing me to reception. Anticipating reception's resistance, I explained my situation. They confirmed their standard process requires early morning emergency calls, which is impractical for working professionals like myself in London. Fortunately, my physiotherapist intervened by faxing them, and they subsequently contacted me. Though he recommended a sports clinic, I attempted to save NHS resources. The injection process was uncomfortable, involving multiple painful attempts. Like my neighbors, I'll eventually change doctors - a frustrating prospect given our proximity. It's absurd to drive past local surgeries to find one that will actually provide care. The lack of accountability in the UK healthcare system is disappointing, especially considering we fund these services through our taxes.
Barbora C.