DMC

[Monkey]

Absolutely impossible to get through to the DMC (Crystal Palace Road) this morning. Anybody there who can tell me what's happening? Greed coupled with inefficiency perhaps?

[LadyDeliah]

Constant redial!

[PSJ]

Generally takes 20 to 30 minutes of constant redialling, starting at 8am. Ace system!!! (having said that, I've had good experiences with the GP's when I do get an appointment).

[Monkey]

I am voting with m feet this time. Hubby was initially told no appointments available today at about 8.40am and when he got annoyed, they miraculously found him a slot. This is no way to run a surgery. Absolutely unacceptable. The highly-paid people responsible for this mess should be ashamed.

[Gidget]

Have you complained to the PCT yet? I have posted about this before.

[Monkey]

I complain to the PCT on a regular basis pointing out that the surgery does not seem to be able to serve its patients, yet is still registering new patients.

[SebsC]

My 18 month old has been unwell and from previous experience of DMC, i knew better than to try to phone to get an appointment.. So, I had to wake him up at 7, having had a very restless night, go down there in the pouring rain and queue from 7.40am. I was third in the queue of about 8 and the first appointment available was for 9.30am. So I had to go home in the rain again, then go back down for half nine. There were only 3 other people waiting, it didn't seem busy. I think it is ridiculous that to secure an appointment, people are having to go to such lengths. I will complain to the PCT.

[Gidget]

Monkey,

What does the PCT say when they reply to you?

[Monkey]

The PCT's priority seems to make sure I get to see someone so they keep directing me to the Lister and informing me of all the services available in the area.

PCT also got in touch with the surgery and I got a letter from the practice manager saying they are short staffed due to a number of female staff on maternity leave. To me, this is a lame excuse. They should take on more locums and if they can't, they should at least stop registering patients. To me, it looks like a prime example of a surgery being allowed to maximise profits woth a complete disregard for patients. Agree with SebS - the surgery is ever so quiet each time I visit. Sometimes I am one of two patients in the waiting room! I would be interested to find out how many GPs are actually working there each day.

[Gidget]

Write to them and ask them all this under a Freedom of Information request.

[Monkey]

I give up - I have far too much to do. Maybe a more responsible citizen than me will do that. I have found a small surgery with a good level of patient satisfaction. I rang them up and phone was picked within two rings. Amazing. Bye, bye DMC - you have been really ****!

[Dave337]

Similar problems. I rang DMC on 23rd Sep to try and get an appointment with a nurse for an ear syringing (having played the phone lottery game with them from 08:30). Eventually got through as 5th caller of the day to be told the earliest they'd see me would be 24th Oct (4 weeks). Crazy.

[SilverSurfer65]

There is to be a new system for 'flu injections, I was told yesterday, having rung at 11.30 and was the 3rd person in the 'phone queue.

Walk in as from 9th October from 9 - 11 a.m. - I did ask how long I would have to wait and was told it was a "walk in service".

[reneet]

Called DMC for an immunisation appointment last week and was told no appointments for the month and need to wait until they open their books for October. Then I call again this week and get a choice of appointments for the same week. I can never get an appointment even a foward appointment if I call but can always get an appointment online, thats when had my access, which I then lost and called them about it, they took my information leter and promised to mail me another one with the right access pass, that was 6 months ago.

[cmacnew]

SebsC Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> My 18 month old has been unwell and from previous

> experience of DMC, i knew better than to try to

> phone to get an appointment.. So, I had to wake

> him up at 7, having had a very restless night, go

> down there in the pouring rain and queue from

> 7.40am. I was third in the queue of about 8 and

> the first appointment available was for 9.30am. So

> I had to go home in the rain again, then go back

> down for half nine. There were only 3 other people

> waiting, it didn't seem busy. I think it is

> ridiculous that to secure an appointment, people

> are having to go to such lengths. I will complain

> to the PCT.

I've done exactly the same in the past. Actually, just reading all this has spurred me on to move somewhere else. I've heard myself and others complain so much in the past and I only joined them to try and secure a lanes midwife, and I didn't even stay with them anyway!

[dontpanic]

If this is a concern do consider signing the 38 degrees petition:

"The government?s plans to privatise and fragment our NHS are starting to take shape across England.

In Southwark doctors are getting together to form a ?Clinical Commissioning Group? or ?CCG?. This body will make big decisions about what health services will be available to you and your family.

Southwark CCG will be under pressure to do the Government?s dirty-work. But if enough local people sign the petition to Southwark CCG, we can persuade them to put us first - and protect our local NHS."

Here's the link:

http://action.38degrees.org.uk/ccg_found_o?postcode=Se15&submit=Find+your+local+petition

[Peckhampoet]

I moved last month. Best thing I ever did.

[amydown]

Which GP did you move to?

Peckhampoet Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> I moved last month. Best thing I ever did.

[Peckhampoet]

Nunhead......which is where I live so maybe should have done it sooner but was in catchment area for DMC after moving here from Bellenden Rd 10 years ago. DMC has been swamped with mums and babies imo who have priority over we oldies.

[Earl Aelfheah]

DMC are a disgrace. Why on earth do they continue to register new people when they can't see those already on the books?

[Gidget]

Think they get paid for each person on their books.

[Jessie]

I really really resent the 'go to lister centre' line they give out after the 10000 hour wait on the phone to be told there are no appointments left. If I wanted to go to a gp in Peckham I would go to one. I need a local gp service when I am sick FFs!

[Fuschia]

When I tried the lister centre with 3 amAll children in tow, I was told the wait would be 3h!

[Jessie]

Oh good grief!! That's appalling

[Fuschia]

The phrase 'walk in centre' hints at a speedy turnaround .. A better name might be 'dash over to Peckham then sit for hours in a waiting room' centre