GP Access After Hours -

Bella Bush

Spoke with a nurse named Emma, who was EXTREMELY rude and condescending, rang up concerned about chest pain, she recommended I take Panadol and nurofen and follow up with my GP and that she was NOT going to book me and after hours appointment, said it’s probably not chest pain and more likely something with the lungs and to just follow up with my GP. So rude, condescending and dismissive. Absolutely disgusting.

Kris Maree

Unless you ring right at the time they open the phones don’t expect any help or to get an appointment! They make you sit on the phone in a queue for sometimes over and hour just to tell you there’s no appointments! The other urgent care clinics are only open the same times as normal gps and cost you an arm and a leg, if you have any form of cough or cold and flu symptoms then don’t bother cause they automatically assume it’s Covid and refuse to give you an appointment, all tax payers are paying huge Medicare levies and for what? No access to bulk billed services, up to 8 hour emergency room wait times, no after hours clinics and the ones that you do find have no appointments so it’s just walk in like an emergency department!
The one time I was able to get an appointment the gp claimed they couldn’t do anything and to see my normal gp which if I was able to get an appointment within a week I wouldn’t be using this service in the first place. Our whole medical system is a joke!

Robert Woolley

Called on Saturday afternoon to try and get anti nausea medication for my daughter who had four wisdom teeth extracted under general anaesthetic yesterday. After a seventy minute wait on hold was answered by a rude nurse who would only talk to my daughter, who was sick and not with it and didn’t convey why she was calling . The result was she said we had to call the hospital which did the operation for help, which has no doctors on duty till Monday to help. I won’t bother with them again. I’ll just go straight to ER.

Grumpy Old Lady

What a refreshing change to our usual Maitland Hospital experiences...

My niece came out in a weird rash while staying with me so we headed to the ED which was absolutely packed - all waiting room seating occupied & all outside seating occupied with people seated on the ground both outside & inside. They triaged her & asked if they can try to get a GP Access appointment. This was at 7.30pm. GP Access said they can get her into an appointment at 9pm but to come around & wait as they are running ahead of time & sometimes people no show for appointments. Sure enough, 10 minutes after checking in someone did not show so we were seen.

Pathology scrapings of the rash taken & sent off, broad spectrum A/Bs prescribed due to the infection he also discovered she had & a days worth given to us to get us through to when the chemist opens. A topical cream given & a prescription for more if required. GP got the results next business day & the cream was switched to something more targeted to treat the now diagnosed rash.

The only complaint from my niece was that we didn't wait long enough for her to finish her drawing on the touch screens.

The staff are a lot less judgemental than they are in the ED (no accusations of drug seeking this time) which is always nice.

Jo Bailey

This review is for gp acces only Rang 10am this morning, told bring partner in, went to gp access maitland hospital, told by rude receptionist take him to ER they will triage him and send him back here for an appointment. Husband has had 14 spinal surgeries, medically retired due to injuries in agony sitting or standing for long periods of time as per medical file. Met two other parents with young babies told the same, from same receptionist. After three and half hrs wait in ed, go back to gp access to be told by same rude staff member, we did have a 3pm appointment but its gone now, we dont have appointment till 7pm (another 4 and half hr wait for gp access).

Colin Vincent

Whilst my visit was a little over 12 months ago on a Sunday the service i received was exceptional - wasn't sure i had a broken finger and the radiographer stayed back as it was last appointment to do the X-ray - the attending Dr was excellent - could not fault this service in anyway. Keep up the good work

meG B

On hold for an hour before speaking to an RN who clearly does not enjoy her job. Questions were asked in a way as if I was being interrogated. As I attempted to explain my situation plus the pain I was experiencing, she constantly cut me off before I could fully answer. That was before she realised she’d skipped some of her triage questions and cut me off again to ask me those. Asked me the same questions repeatedly also. This woman showed no empathy and gave little option in terms of medical assistance. I knew I already had an infection being a health professional myself. Having not been able to get into a GP anywhere and a single parent, this supposed health professional was quite happy for me to remain at home to allow my infection to worsen. I asked for antibiotics but was told I would have to go to a hospital 40mins away to get a script if I needed them that badly! One of the most vile fellow health professionals I have ever dealt with! No empathy and no duty of care. I only wish I had asked for her AHPRA registration number so that if my condition had worsened as a result of her negligence, I could take it further to ensure this nurse does not abandon her duty of care to others more vulnerable than myself! Disgraceful

Sarah Williams

Such a great service- so well looked after tonight by the whole team- Mia, Barb and Dr David Lund at John Hunter Clinic.
Thank you to everyone who provided such exceptional care tonight- really appreciate your time, compassion and professionalism.
Newcastle is so lucky to have this incredible service!