Queen Victoria Memorial Hospital

Reply from Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust
Mon, 22 Oct 2018 15:04:48 +0100

Dear Kathleen Thank you for taking the time to review your experience at Queen Victoria Memorial Hospital recently. We are pleased you were both made to feel welcome and that your mother received the treatment she needed. It is good to know that you feel the hospital is an excellent local resource. We will pass on your thanks to the service. Best wishes Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust Tel: 0300 123 1807 Email: kentchft.PALS@nhs.net Website: www.kentcht.nhs.uk

Since the introduction of the telephone appointment system for blood tests, it has been a disaster!! firstly the telephone number on the slip of paper given to me at my surgery had been changed. The number listed on this site is also incorect. having serched the net I have now found the correct number. It says on screen to ring between 8am and 12, Ringing the number I am informed that the office is open from 9am till 5pm. on my last visit I was given a number and appointment time. when I arrived there was nobody waiting! I was not seen untii my appointment time as there were three numbers before mine that had not turned up. Please bring back the good old system when I could turn up at 7.30 am and be seen in number order. I never had to wait more than a few mins.

Reply from Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust
Mon, 01 Oct 2018 09:41:40 +0100

Dear Robin We were very sorry to hear of the frustrations you have faced since the introduction of the telephone appointment system for blood tests and that you were initially given the wrong telephone number. This system was introduced to try and ensure that patients are not turned away, as occasionally happened when we operated the ticket system. Appointments can be booked from 7am to give people the opportunity to attend before going to work. The closure time of 3pm is necessary as blood tests need to be transported to the acute hospitals for investigations to be carried out. Just to confirm the telephone line to call is 0330 123 9462 between 10am to 5pm Monday to Friday. Best wishes PALS Team Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust Tel: 0300 123 1807 Email: kentchft.pals@nhs.net Website: www.kentcht.nhs.uk

Had to go in as I had a splinter down my fingernail that couldn’t be removed. They were so understanding and friendly. Put me at ease and tried all they could to remove it. Only had to wait 30 mins to be seen which was great. Thank you all for your kindness.