Care Opinion

Tameside Hospital Walk In Centre

Story from nhs.uk

"Tameside Hospital Walk In Centre"

About: Tameside and Glossop Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust

Attended the walk in centre, as I knew I had an eye infection (could hardly open my eyes they are that swollen) checked in I expected to wait, I fully understand that this is a walk in centre. After an hour I was called by a lady in blue uniform, she didn’t introduce herself. I explained and took my glasses off. She quickly looked and said she didn’t have the equipment to check my eyes, as this is a walk in centre ? I wouldn’t be receiving a prescription, as this is a walk in centre and I would need to go to pharmacy and purchase drops there. Not a problem, however I have never heard that a walk in centre can not prescribe medication for an eye infection ? I can hardly open my eyes and I’m told rudely that I won’t be receiving a prescription - perhaps I should of gone to A & E and saw a Dr who would of been able to check my eyes and prescribed the correct medication . What is the point of the walk in centre ? If they can’t / won’t help someone with medical problem. Won’t be returning and I won’t be recommending either, absolute waste of time and NHS money.

More about:
nhs.uk logo
Do you have a similar story to tell? Tell your story & make a difference ››

Responses

Response from Alexia Charnley, Head of PALS, Complaints and Candour, PALS & Complaints Team, Tameside & Glossop Integrated Care NHSFT 5 years ago
Alexia Charnley
Head of PALS, Complaints and Candour, PALS & Complaints Team,
Tameside & Glossop Integrated Care NHSFT

Manager

Submitted on 27/06/2019 at 17:41
Published on Care Opinion on 28/06/2019 at 10:44

Good afternoon,

thank you for taking the time to post comments relating to your recent experience at the Walk in Centre, which is now situated on site at Tameside Hospital. I was sorry to learn that you felt attending this service was a waste of time, and although this feedback is anonymous and you cannot be specifically identified, enquiries have been made to provide a response.

Firstly, I was sorry to learn that the staff member who examined you did not introduce themselves. This falls below the standards expected and I apologise that this small step was omitted, it is well known that this can make a big difference to a patient's experience and this has been raised with the Team for awareness.

As you may be aware, the Walk in Centre is one of the services available for patients to use when they are experiencing a minor ailment. On arrival to the reception, a Nurse is currently working alongside the administrative team to ensure that patients are directed towards the correct service, dependent on their symptoms and presenting concern. If they have a minor ailment or injury, this may be directed to the Walk in Centre where a patient will be reviewed by a GP, or to the Minors area of the Emergency Department, where they will be reviewed by an Emergency Nurse Practitioner (ENP).

From your description of the assessment you received, you were examined by an ENP in the Minors Area and I am sorry if communication with you about this could have been better. An ENP is not able to prescribe medication, however should this be required, they are able to obtain advice and opinion from a medic within the Emergency Department. Without further information to identify you, I am not able to look into this in more detail, but if you would like to receive a more detailed response, please do not hesitate to contact the PALS and Complaints Team by telephone with your name and date of birth where someone will be able to look into this in more detail: 0161 922 4466.

Once again, I am sorry that you have had a negative experience of our services.

Many thanks, Alexia

Alexia Charnley

Head of PALS, Complaints and Candour

  • {{helpful}} {{helpful == 1 ? "person thinks" : "people think"}} this response is helpful
Opinions
Next Response j
Previous Response k