Walton Surgery

Getting appointments here was always the issue and this was obviously due to lack of staff. So it was inevitable that it would close, and so although we are not surprised we are saddened by it for all the staff who were here, working so hard. We have now moved to The Grove which we hope will be ok.

If I could rate this no stars I would. Absolutely awful treatment refusing appointments when they are desperately needed and being told not to bother the next day as you will not be given an appointment.

I was on the phone this morning at 8 am on the dot when the practice opened to book an appointment with a particular GP. I was relieved to hear that I was only fifth in the queue, as I have not been able to get an appointment recently, they were always booked up when I phoned, and they would not let me book an appointment. When my turn came, the phone line went dead at their end. I had no choice but to call back, I phoned back immediately, only a few minutes past 8, unfortunately this put me at 33 in the queue. When I finally got through, I was told that all the appointments with the particular GP I wanted to see were booked up, that I would have to see a different GP or a nurse. I purposefully called today, at 8 am sharp in order to get that particular appointment, through no fault of my own, it was the practice's phone line, I was unable to get my appointment. In the time it took me to explain this situation, all of the other appointment slots with other practitioners were booked up, and now I am left stranded with nothing but tears. This place has lost its compassion and humanity. I have been a patient at this practice for almost ten years. It used to be fairly straightforward to get an appointment, and get the help my family and I needed. This has drastically changed in the recent years. We can no longer make appointments ahead of time, and it is virtually impossible to see a particular GP, which is very difficult for patients who feel more comfortable seeing particular health professionals. Asking to make an appointment with a particular person should not be too much to ask for, it never used to be. It is very easy to see how people fall though the cracks of this system, especially when they are at their most vulnerable and at their weakest.

I bring my mum, who has mobility issues and I wish they would allow access through the back door like they used to. I wanted to put it in the suggestion box, but there is no paper available! 20 mins late seeing nurse for blood test, and waiting can stress mum with her dementia. Staff are all lovely though.

The service generally works ok when we need it, but we have our frustrations of which we have aired to them. Mainly it is to do with ringing in the morning and being 1st in queue but it taking 20-30 mins to get through. Well we spoke to them but felt it fell on deaf ears.

For myself or my children whenever I have rang the surgery always try get a solution for us. If appointments are gone they organise a callback. If there are nurses appointments left they give you one so that you have your mind put at rest.
Always lovely with a ‘can do ‘ attitude

It is a broken system. This surgery among many others need more staff as it’s so difficult to see who you’d like. I can’t book online anymore.
The staff here are all lovely and I feel sorry for them.

If willing to see Nurse, you get in. If want to see a GP, well it just doesn’t happen. With my condition I cannot see how seeing a Nurse today will resolve it, so likely to mean another appointment but with GP if I can get one. That’s two instead of one appointment.

Do not think this surgery meets people’s needs as it has become more and more difficult to get an appointment with a GP. With ‘personal’ issues that I prefer to see my own GP for as they know me, I’m annoyed that I have had to see someone I’ve never met before. It makes me uneasy and anxious.

Rang surgery at exactly 8.00 put on hold for 50 minutes.
Told no apps anywhere despite telling "call navigator" I was having breathing difficulties. No advice given -just to and ring try again at 8.00 tomorrow!