Oldmeldrum village doctors surgery not fit for purpose.

Comments

#2

I don’t want to get really sick and then can’t get an appointment

Scott McFarlane (Inverurie, Aberdeenshire, 2025-01-30)

#3

something needs to be done and operators held to account, ridiculous phone system dreadful on hold for ages ,they'd rather do phone appointments than see you ,which i find to be a dreadfully inadequate service, things a good doctor might see could be missed if not seen in person,which could lead to serious illness being missed, people having to wait over a week or longer for appointments absolutely useless, this is little more than a gimmick or cash cow for the business owners ,and how much are the NHS paying the owners of this dreadful service!

Russell stewart (oldmeldrum, 2025-01-30)

#5

It’s a terrible service I was short of 2 tablets over Christmas I called surgery on Tuesday asking if I could get 2 tablets as I had a script due on Wednesday they told me no I explained my body needs them I was told well if u feel unwell call 111 then they had a cheek to say you should make a appointment you sound like u need help with my mental health excuse me I am a healthcare worker myself I was disgusted

Clare Sim (Inverurie, 2025-01-30)

#7

Since start of takeover it's becoming more difficult to get through on occasions and waiting in queue is slow and frustrating.

Colin Hart (Inverurie, 2025-01-30)

#10

Getting an appt was easier with last owners and never had to wait an hour to get an appt with being number 10 in the queue but this happens everyday for all patients. Not being able to get through as constantly being cut off or not getting seen face to face which is leading to serious issues such as sepsis of which a 16 year old died last week

Katharine Morris (Inverurie, 2025-01-30)

#13

I’m a resident of oldmeldrum

Maureen Kerr (Inverurie, 2025-01-30)

#16

Impossible to get an appointment if you work full time. No one to cover the phone line over lunchtime is an absolute joke. Ridiculous system to get a prescription, you must attend a clinic to have a blood pressure and weight check with no supervision from a medical professional. Patient safety is at risk the way the practice is being managed and needs to change.

Charlotte C (Oldmeldrum, 2025-01-30)

#18

Strongly agree with sentiments behind this. When you need help and it’s so difficult to get through and you feel isolated and alone it’s terrifying. The only other alternative is 999 and that’s not right

Anne Allan (Inverurie, 2025-01-30)

#19

I have power of attorney for my mum and spend up to an hour at a time on the phone sometimes over several days and sometimes giving up trying to get an appointment for her This is during my working day but my time does not seem to matter My mum is 87 and does not cope with their system at all

Elaine Stephen (Aberdeen, 2025-01-30)

#20

The new phone system is not working to the best way that it could be, difficult to get through into the queue system and through to reception staff.

Julie-Ann Davidson (Oldmeldrum, 2025-01-30)

#22

Useless system totally unfit for purpose.

Maureen Elrick (Inverurie, 2025-01-30)

#33

I am both a registered patient and carer for my wife who has dementia and who is also a patient

Alan Petrie (Oldmeldrum, 2025-01-30)

#34

The situation with getting an appointment at the surgery is disgraceful. There hasn’t been a time where I’ve been on hold for less than 60 minutes to the appt line and the max time was 92 minutes. I’m sure we’re now in a position where people aren’t bothering to seek help for their issues due to the complicated service we’re faced with to try and make an appt and that really isn’t on.

Jenni Clark (Rothienorman, 2025-01-30)

#37

Problems getting through to make an appointment.

Elaine Buck (Oldmeldrum, 2025-01-30)

#41

Find it extremely difficult and frustrating to try and make an appointment with a GP/Nurse. Have also had problems with repeat prescriptions.

Gillian Fullbrook (Rothienorman, 2025-01-31)

#42

Something needs to be done about the waiting times at oldmeldrum surgery. I also believe not being able to go into the surgery to make an appointment is wrong

Erica Buchan (Oldmeldrum, 2025-01-31)

#44

I feel that the care navigation line (which is the only one used for booking appointments) should be another line. We should be able to make an appointment with doctor if we feel we need one not if we're told. A separate line is needed for appointments only, I wason tge phone 2 hours on Monday trying to get through.

Fiona Mortimer (Rothienorman, 2025-01-31)

#51

Because I regularly have to try 30 times just to be put on hold to wait for an hour to speak to someone.

Rosie Barron (Rothienorman, 2025-01-31)

#54

The appointment system is a joke. I received a letter in November inviting me for my annual check up at the diabetic clinic, just call to make an appointment it said. Still haven’t got through.

Nicola Florence (Rothienorman, 2025-01-31)

#55

I can never get through to the surgery on the phone or had a reply via email

Alec McCann (Rothienorman, 2025-01-31)

#57

The Newburn system is absolutely SHOCKING.
Sometimes waiting over an hour to move 10 spaces in a phone que to be told you won't be seen/call back.
Getting a text saying a doctor wants to speak to you and having to call through again.
The system.is absolutely broken. I don't have time in my day to wait for over an hour.

I have complained directly 4 times now and only had response twice!
They promised they were monitoring call waiting times (surely they don't believe the current waiting times are suitable!)

Shannon Button (Rothienorman, 2025-01-31)

#59

I have given up taking a medication to help with anxiety after a traumatic event (I as never the hope to be on it long term, but just to help me get back on track) but because I haven’t been able to get through to book a review, I could no longer get the prescription. I tried for weeks to get an appointment and was either in the queue for such a long time I would have to hang up because I work and had work commitments or was greeted with the message that my call couldn’t be connected due to the volume of calls.
It’s really disappointing, especially as I, thankfully, keep generally good health and don’t have to visit the surgery often at all but feels like its now an unrealistic expectation to be able to get through to make an appointment and actually get the medical attention needed!

Rachael Annand (Rothienorman, 2025-01-31)

#60

The phone lines are impossible to even get on the waiting queue then an hours wait to get through to find out the appointment is at least a week away when you’ve run out of medication that you needed a review for

Rachael Ewen (Inverurie, 2025-01-31)

#66

It takes far too long to get through for an appointment, having to hang up and retry on average for me around an hour minimum no matter what time of day.

Mike Halliday (Rothienorman, 2025-01-31)

#72

Their system is a total failure having to queue for up to two hours in a queue of 10 to get through is unacceptable.
Being unable to make an appointment at the reception is rediculace.

James Stewart (Inverurie, 2025-01-31)

#75

I am deeply concerned about the inadequate care we are receiving at our GP practice, which undermines our fundamental right to access safe and appropriate healthcare. The excessive wait times to get through on the phone are not only frustrating but also exacerbate the anxiety we experience while already feeling unwell. Additionally, the attitudes of some staff members can be dismissive, further contributing to a sense of helplessness in accessing necessary medical support. It is particularly distressing that we often find it nearly impossible to speak directly with a GP, leaving us without the professional guidance and reassurance we desperately need. This situation is unacceptable and must be addressed to ensure that patients receive the quality care they deserve.

Megan Stephen (Inverurie, 2025-01-31)

#80

I live in oldmeldrum and it's pretty much impossible to get a doctors appointment

Arthur Ord (Inverurie, 2025-01-31)

#83

I was refused a simple but crucial blood test as I’ve high lipid levels that can cause heart attack/stroke. I have Angina also so it’s very concerning.

Fiona Ord (Oldmeldrum Aberdeenshire, 2025-01-31)

#92

It's been really bad with poor attitude from reception staff for years.

Gary Smith (Rothienorman, 2025-01-31)

#94

It is ridiculous! I managed to get an appointment to discuss requiring repeated medication, then found out I needed to do the same for another medication I receive on repeat prescription.

I was on hold for well over an hour to get through to a call centre, to be asked very few questions about the medication and my health and have someone confirm I can have it over the phone which took around 15 minutes - most of which I was on hold for.

I’m terrified if I ever actually need an appointment because the ordeal of getting to that point was unbearable.

My husband was unwell on a Sunday and preferred to go down the NHS24 route than try and get an appointment at our local surgery. That should tell you enough about his much of a disaster this new system is.

Stacey Golding (Inverurie, 2025-01-31)

#95

Waiting waiting waiting on the phone to move up the queue is very stressful. The friendly immediate service we had previously made patients/family members feel reassured.

Sarah Bremner (Oldmeldrum, 2025-01-31)

#97

My partner ans myself are registered with this GP surgery as well as our 2 children.

This practice has misdiagnosed, and almost killed my husband twice. Prescribed antibiotics that he has severe allergies to dispite it being in his notes he can not tolerate penicillin.

The attitude of the staff is appalling. The wait times to even be put through is unreal.

I've held personally for over 2 hours and still not been answered. This surgery is just not fit for purpose

Caris Phillips (Fyvie, 2025-01-31)

#102

The waiting times for appointments or call backs are ridiculous,the system in place is clearly not working and needs to be reviewed

Jan Nicol (Turriff, 2025-01-31)

#104

I’m signing this due to my mother being refused crucial blood tests.

Morgan Simpson (Oldmeldrum, 2025-01-31)

#105

The role of our GP is vital to accessing healthcare services and current failure to meet community demand poses a risk to patients.

Dairine Freeman (Oldmeldrum, 2025-01-31)

#109

The surgery is an absolute joke, and the staff are rude.

Graeme Duncan (Aberdeenshire, 2025-01-31)

#115

It’s impossible to get an appointment. I don’t appreciate a grilling by a receptionist who has zero medical qualification to justify why my child warrants an appointment. They regularly muck up my repeat prescriptions too.

Vicki Woodhead (Inverurie, 2025-01-31)

#116

This system is not working for our community

Claire Machray (Inverurie, 2025-01-31)

#119

The whole system is a disgrace, thats what we pay national insurance for a service that we cant use, i have numerous things i want to discuss with a doctor but just get told to phone back everytime or no appointments for the week call back next week

Gillian Paterson (Inverurie, 2025-01-31)

#120

My daughter and grandchildren live in their jurisdiction and even i have rang to speak to Manager to get appointments for my family and their system is not working. The receptionist is rude and my family are not being looked after like a doctors is duty bound to do.

Tracy Walker (Peterhead, 2025-01-31)

#121

Something needs done to drastically change things for the better.

Mhairi Boath (Oldmeldrum, 2025-01-31)

#124

I’m a Rothienorman resident , to be in hold for 1hr before speaking to anyone is unacceptable .

Pam Stewart (Rothienorman, 2025-01-31)

#125

It’s impossible to get through on the phone.

Lois Farquharson (Inverurie, 2025-01-31)

#127

I have experienced this difficulty both for myself & my elderly mum

Gillian Horn (Turriff, 2025-01-31)

#128

I spent 1 hour 56 mins trying to get through for an appointment and was cut off twice and had to call again to be put back in the line position 9 each time I was always cut off at position 1 all three times. That was on one day this has happened numerace times since the change of hands

Sara Cramond (Inverurie, 2025-01-31)

#137

It’s also hard to find an hour in a working day to sit on hold and wait to be heard by the care navigation team who already put you on hold and ask someone else.

Lucy Baldwin (Fyvie, 2025-02-01)

#140

The service is not good enough

Jonathan Fleetham (Rothienorman, 2025-02-01)

#143

I have on going chronic pain. Find it difficult to get an appointment. When I do I have to consult via the receptionist who then speaks to a clinician. I have only ever been examined by a clinician and get refused when I request a GP. My husband has been waiting results of a 24 hour ecg. That can only be done via telephone appointment. Due to the nature of his job he has missed the calls. This has been explained to the receptionist and still they say it must be done over the telephone. When he said he is concerned they said if it wasn't life threatening they wouldn't say it's a telephone appointment.

Amanda Brack (Rothienorman, 2025-02-01)

#151

I can not get a GP appointment, my symptoms have been dismissed and I’ve been refused medical care due to private surgery which I got due to NHS waiting list times. The phone lines are always busy, I’ve waited for 2 hours only to be cut off by the end.
I do not feel listened to or care for, this surgery is failing their patients.

Angela McLaren (Rothienorman, 2025-02-01)

#154

Difficulties on occasions with the phone in appointments system and the length of time queueing sometimes required.

Linda Melville (Oldmeldrum, Inverurie, 2025-02-01)

#156

The appointment system does not work .
Firstly , if you’re lucky enough to get in the cue you have to listen to awful music which I can only imagine is there to try and put you off waiting any longer ! . What is wrong with just walking In to doctors surgery and booking an appointment?

Graeme Moir (Aberdeen, 2025-02-01)

#161

The difficultly in making an appointment.

Tracy Clark (Aberdeen, 2025-02-01)

#166

The time it takes to get an appointment if you are lucky enough to get on or the phone gets answered .My husband had to go sit in the waiting room until he was given one , the surgery has gone down hill drastically and we have no trust in this practice now , doctors or treatment . My husband again went In to get seen for a hip operation which he is still waiting for after approx three years , he went for X-rays and they were not even referred on to the next person , in the end he had to chase them up and this was around a year !!! After he got them done !! So communication is a factor also he is still waiting ! A total waste of time , doctors are supposed to be there to care and support you not make things worse

April Taylor (Inverurie, 2025-02-01)

#174

Consistent problems getting through on phone line. Average wait is around 1hr if you do get through.

Nikola McRobb (Inverurie, 2025-02-01)

#178

Practice is worst I have experienced

Teresa Graham (Oldmeldrum, 2025-02-01)

#179

I have been really unwell for 2 weeks and need to see a doctor, but cannot get through. I rarely seek a doctor’s appointment ( haven’t been for years) - so I know when I genuinely need support

Lesley Adam (Oldmeldrum, 2025-02-01)

#180

40 minutes on phone if you get on queue is a disgrace. 10 mins with receptionist asking scripted questions who then spends time speaking to a clinician.
If you are lucky a doctor calls back. Never ask for phone no. Don’t give time frame. If you happen to be out and they try home number twice you never hear from them again unless you go through the same process taking up to 1 hour.
A doctor appointment used to take 10 minutes. A trained professional who knew correct questions to ask and also saw you in the flesh which they can tell a lot from. They could read your records and listen to you.
It would appear we all have to google our symptoms and tell them what we need nowadays. No offer of alternative treatments or diagnosis unless it comes up with best case scenario from their script.
Instead of employing qualified doctors they are using cheaper labour meaning people have to revert time and again or land up wasting NHS 111 or worse still A&E time.
The elderly are most at risk and if not already happened there is going to be a catastrophe.
When you do go in surgery lucky if there is 1 or2 patients. When there were 6 doctors the surgery was packed and Meldrum’s population has grown since there.

Moira Presly (Oldmeldrum Inverurie, 2025-02-01)

#181

I am signing because I like many others are struggling when trying to make appointments to see GP. The current system is broken and needs fixed

Michael Haggart (Rothienorman, 2025-02-01)

#184

I am very disappointed and disgusted with the current appointment system at Meldrum medical Centre. I work full time so do not have a 'spare hour' to sit on the phone and wait and see if I am lucky enough to win the appointment lottery

Emma Farrell (Inverurie, 2025-02-01)

#187

The appointment system at Meldrum has been incredibly poor for many years, why are they not using online appointments which would be far easier.

Isla Mayfield (Oldmeldrum, 2025-02-01)

#189

The booking system is ridiculous

Helen Reid (Oldmeldrum, 2025-02-01)

#191

Absolutely fed up trying to get through and having to hold on for ever only to be told that there are no appointments available

Derek Webster (Oldmeldrum, 2025-02-01)

#200

I have needed a doctors appointment since the beginning of January and have absolutely no idea about how to get one

LINDSEY Sinclair (Oldmeldrum, 2025-02-01)



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