25 minutes on hold to DMC East Dulwich..

[toomuchchocolate]

....so far....still holding. Is this a new record low?

[Monkey]

No. August 28 2009, when very ill after daughter's birth, no answer for 4 hours. You have another 3 and a half hours to go before you beat my record.

[hellosailor]

Was just in there a minute ago to pick something up, absolutely deserted waiting room so who IS actually getting an appointment, I'd love to know.

A couple of people came in to ask for the forms to join as a patient and reception blithely handed them over, great to know that even tho they aren't able to handle the 55, 000 + patients they already have, Dr. Gupta is still taking on more, hey its all money in the bank right Dr. Gupta? That mansion won't pay for itself!

[Monkey]

I have indeed been in there more than once to find the place completely deserted. I have raised the issue so many times. Nothing ever seems to get done. This is outrageous.

[Scribble]

Do surgeries get paid for each patient registered on their books?

[hellosailor]

Yes they get paid per consultation, per vaccination, etc etc. this is why they take on more and more patients despite not even having enough staff to man the phones.

[fl0wer]

Looks like time you all made an official complaint.

This GP practice and its answering service clearly needs some rocket fuel. It's totally unacceptable to have to wait the times you describe, especially when there are little children in your care. How can folk be dissuaded from going to A & E for urgent attention, if their local GP clinic isn't doing its stuff?

http://www.nhs.uk/chq/Pages/1082.aspx?CategoryID=68

[Emski]

There's a notice on the door saying there's a new system being implemented. Apparently you don't need to come in - you'll get a phone consultation and offered an appointment if you need one. I don't know how this will improve the phone queuing system though if even more is being done over the phone!