Sinnott Medical Centre

When will the service resume? You cannot get to see the GP. Other GP paractice are open to see their patients. It would be nice if they return your call.

I am trying to get hold of the Surgery to chase up 2 issues for my 87 old Mother. The phone sounds like they have just taken it off the hook so you get the engaged tone. I have rung 7 times over the last 90 minutes.

I was unable to get an appointment over a few months this spring/summer despite trying multiple times. I understand this is because GP practices are overwhelmed, but the appointment booking process at this practice is not fit for purpose. Firstly, there is no queuing system on the phone when you call, so it's down to luck if you can get through. Secondly, when you do get through and there are no appointments, you are directed to fill out the online consultation form. The online consultation form is long, asks irrelevant/repeated questions, as well as sensitive questions - and having to fill this out multiple times for the same issue does not seem like a good system. Thirdly, filling out the form & being assessed as needing an appointment does not mean you can actually access one: On one occasion I filled out the online consultation form after being unable to book an appointment, only to get an e-mail response to "please book an emergency appointment by calling reception" - which is a total catch-22 situation, given that I was filling out the form *because* I could not get an appointment. When this happened I called reception again -20 times between 8:30AM to 2PM; I am not exaggerating- only to be told again that there are no appointments. I said I was told to make an emergency appointment, but they had no advice & took no action. I ended up calling the out of hours GP service, but they also had no appointments.

In the end I booked an emergency private GP appointment. The private GP provided a prescription, but only gave me 3 days supply as I was informed I should have a face-to-face appointment with my GP to take a test to ensure I could take the medication safely.

Unsurprisingly, I was unable to get any form of appointment with my GP, and once again I was told to fill out the online consultation form (my third form on the same issue by then, filling out the same details). I did not get a phone or face-to-face appointment following submission of the form, but instead was given a prescription for 1 month's supply of medication without being seen. Given how unwell I was at the time, I feel I should have been seen by, or at least spoken to, someone. I feel I was totally left on my own to deal with/manage my condition; I was not coping at all (which I said explicitly in my online consultation form) and despite asking for help multiple times no one was available.

I also found out that the practice had failed to follow-up on a request from my Midwife to arrange an appointment with me and prescribe antibiotics. I only found out about this 1.5 months later when my Midwife double checked with me to see if my GP had contacted me. This was the last straw & I changed practice after this.

I don't blame the staff, but the appointment booking system needs to be improved. I don't think it's acceptable for reception not to give any information or follow up on booking an appointment when the GP requests that you call to book an emergency appointment. Telling you to fill out the online consultation form again is not helpful. I don't understand why an appointment could not be booked in advance, on my behalf, once the GP had assessed I needed an emergency appointment, and instead directed me to phone reception again. It's sending patients around in a circle - which, I assume, also increases the workload for staff as people keep contacting the practice for the same issues over and over again.

I have been going to this surgery for 14 years and the service has always been good. My GP is excellent, although I haven't been able to see her personally for a year now. The staff are really helpful and they genuinely care about their patients.

The practice is amazing. The staff are very on the ball and professional.

Lime Tree & Sinnot, Everyhting is great. The only problem that I have is the waiting time at the surgery which tends to be quite long. Otherwise, good service.

My few weeks old daughter had a nail infection. I got a video appointment with the GP who looked at my daughter's nail and prescribed me a cream with antibiotics.

I have been attending this surgery for many years and have had nothing but the best service. The doctors have always been understanding and helpful, quick to deal with my health issues in a kind and professional manner. Special thanks goes to the nurse and the receptionist who are always both professional and friendly and remove the stress from visiting the surgery. I cannot praise these two women highly enough, they go above and beyond the standard level of service.