Would love to rate people individually but can't even reach anyone to book an appointment and the online appointment service is a joke - you need to know your patient number to register not something people tend to know. This surgery may as well not exist.

I visited the GP surgery today to try and register as a temporary patient in the local area for the next 3 months, and brought the completed appropriate form (GMS3) and ID. When I approached the receptionist, explaining I would like to register as a temporary patient, she was immediately quite rude. I explained I had brought the completed form and tried to show her as I feel like it would clarify the situation, to which she refused and saying it was the wrong form. After a rather patronising conversation in which the receptionist informed me I needed to register to receive an appointment (which I was trying to do) she showed me the form to fill out - identical to the one in my hand. I then said have I not already completed this, begrudgingly she admitted that my form and details were all correct, but I needed a fax from my previous doctor to try and register, but it would only be valid for that appointment. I asked about when I needed to review my prescription (on a monthly basis at my permanent practice) she said I would have to go through the entire process again, re-registering. I was not trying to register as an emergency one-off patient, but a 3 month temporary one (which is stated as the specific purpose of the GMS3 form). When asked about my current medication, she made very belittling comments and then explained the purpose of my medication - something which I am already acutely aware of. I left the practice entirely confused and deflated about the whole process. I went to another surgery down the road not 10 minutes later, where they readily accepted my form, ensured me it was valid for 3 months and they booked me in for an appointment there and then. I understand that each practice does things in their own way, but the receptionist essentially denied ongoing care despite me having all the correct forms and ID (I have registered before at another practice in Kent in the same way with no issue). I suggest that receptionist staff should review their processes for registering permanent/temporary/emergency patients to ensure they follow national guidelines.
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