Getting a face-to-face GP appointment is “nigh on impossible”, an Isle of Wight resident said in a watchdog report highlighting long waits for Island health services.
Feedback gathered by Healthwatch Isle of Wight in its November 13 to December 12 Intelligence Report was 51 per cent negative, 5 per cent mixed or neutral and 44 per cent positive.
Residents are reporting long waits for an appointment at their GP practice, long waits in A&E though positive feedback for staff and struggles contacting some community pharmacies to confirm their opening times.
GP and pharmacy services received the most feedback which was mostly negative.
One user told Healthwatch:
“Waited ten hours in A&E to see a doctor despite going through 111 and it not being that busy. Admitted 14 hours after seeing doctor.
“On day of discharge waited all morning to see a doctor and four hours for medication to be issued after that.”
Another said:
“Getting an appointment with my GP is very difficult, and a face to face one nigh on impossible.”
Other concerns raised in the report include transport costs relating to a referral for heart surgery in Portsmouth, a long wait to be seen by a neurologist despite struggles with symptoms and an antibiotics prescription taking more than 24 hours to be signed off.
Healthwatch also mentioned a problem with getting an ‘urgent prescription’ to a community pharmacy leading to an individual being without medication for five days and difficulties obtaining a cortisone injection from a GP surgery.
Health and social care services receiving mostly or wholly positive feedback included dentistry, nursing and residential care homes, chiropody, inpatient care, maxillofacial services, care at home and addiction services.
Explaining how its information is sourced, Healthwatch Isle of Wight said:
“We have a busy community engagement programme and have been attending local events and community hubs.
“People are also able to share their experiences with us via social media, through partner and voluntary sector organisations, by post, telephone, via our website, face to face, text or email.”
NHS Hampshire and Isle of Wight have been contacted for a comment.
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