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"Podiatry Hell"

About: Sydenham Green Group Practice

Attended a podiatry 09.40 appointment 17th March 2021. This was my first visit to the practice, and attended at the address given, 26 Holmshaw Close. I arrived on time and looked around for a sign directing to the foot clinic. Saw a sign saying foot clinic entrance is at the FRONT of the building. I was suffering a flare up of gout both feet badly swollen and having to use crutches. I then had to hobble around the outside of the building as it wasn't possible to walk through the building. Took me 15 minutes to walk to the front of entrance, only to be told I was LATE. I pointed out I was late due to them forcing me to walk around the building, that had they made it clear the foot clinic entrance was different to the posted address I would have been aware I needed to give myself more time to ensure I arrived at the correct entrance on time. The receptionist was sympathetic but said I had missed my appointment and had to rebook. I argued I wasn't late, I was delayed due to THEIR procedures. The receptionist told me to wait and she walked off presumably to speak to the podiatrist, when she returned she told me it wasn't possible to see me that day, I had to rebook. I was gobsmacked, I found their inflexibility and lack of compassion shocking. I in no way blame the receptionist, the practitioner had refused to see me so all I could do was rebook.

My first visit to the practice has left me with a very negative impression. Having been forced to walk around the building twice left me in great pain for the rest of the day and just as bad today.

Thanks for that.

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Responses

Response from Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust 4 years ago
Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust
Submitted on 07/04/2021 at 13:35
Published on nhs.uk at 18:50


Please accept our apologies for the issues you had with your podiatry appointment, and thank you for making us aware. You should have been advised when booking your appointment that there were changes to the entrance, and again we apologise if that did not happen. Our Foot Health manager has asked the podiatry team, where possible, to show some flexibility in these kind of circumstances and will also look into the issue of signage at the venue.

If you wish to take this matter further and receive a formal reply please contact our Patient Advice & Liaison Service (PALS), on 020 8333 3355 or via email on pals.lewisham@nhs.net

kind regards

Patient Experience Team

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