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"Pushed out of my own appointment"

About: Swan Hill District Health Medical Centre

(as the patient),

I had been waiting nearly three weeks for an appointment with my GP. I arrived on time for the appointment and my GP came and collected me at 10 minutes later. I had three things I had to follow up on, a renewed prescription, an application for a permit for a prescription and advice on an ongoing ailment I was facing.

The GP got me my prescription and then told me that because the psychiatrist had not specifically written "I give you permission..." For the next prescription, there was nothing they could do. I asked the GP if they could email back the psychiatrist and ask for them to write a "proper note" and I recall my GP said they could but.. and then just kept repeating that it was the wrong letter.

MyGP asked what else I needed and I told them about a current recurring issue. I recall the GP proceeded to google my symptoms online and once it confirmed what I had already tried they just shrugged and said well you're doing what you need to be doing.

When I asked my GP what the next stage was they said that we might need to organise some tests which I was open to but suddenly it was 15 minutes past my appointment time, and the GP told me that I would have to book another appointment as my time was up and my ailment required a longer consultation as the practise only allowed them 15 minutes per patient.

When I pointed out that I had only been in the room for 5 minutes and that I couldn't book a longer appointment online, I recall the GP told me that nothing could be done and that I would have to try and book again tomorrow or find another GP to make another appointment as they had to see the next patient.

When I pointed out that I had lost my time because of their lateness they again told me they were sorry and there was nothing they could do but offer to see me tomorrow (for which I was unavailable for due to another appointment). I told them not to bother.

The whole thing made me feel as if my issues were not a priority and that being on time for other patients was more important than seeing to my needs. I waited a while for this appointment and it was disappointing that I only had time to deal with one issue (which was just a script renewal), furthermore I wasn't given the option online of accessing a longer appointment time which I would have selected if I could have, meaning that now I would have to completely reschedule myself in order to get my needs seen to properly.

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Responses

Response from Ashleigh Graham, Practice Manager, Swan Hill Primary Health Medical Centre, Swan Hill District Health 2 weeks ago
Ashleigh Graham
Practice Manager, Swan Hill Primary Health Medical Centre,
Swan Hill District Health
Submitted on 10/08/2026 at 4:45 PM
Published on Care Opinion Australia on 11/08/2026 at 8:45 AM


Dear correspondenceyx43,

Thank you for taking the time to provide such detailed feedback regarding your recent appointment. I am genuinely sorry to learn of your experience and appreciate you bringing your concerns to our attention.

I understand that you had waited almost three weeks for your appointment and had several matters you were hoping to discuss. I can appreciate how disappointing and frustrating it would have been to feel that you did not have sufficient time to address your concerns during the consultation. While doctors may occasionally run behind schedule due to the clinical needs of other patients, we recognise that patients should not feel that the impact of these delays is transferred to them. I apologise that the delay in commencing your appointment contributed to you feeling that your concerns were not being prioritised.

I am also sorry to hear how you felt your concerns were communicated to during the consultation. Regardless of time constraints, we expect all patients to feel heard, respected, and supported when discussing their health concerns. Your description of the consultation, including the discussion regarding your prescription and the response to your ongoing symptoms, does not reflect the standard of care and communication we strive to provide.

In relation to your prescription, there are circumstances where a GP may require specific documentation or authority from a treating specialist before prescribing or continuing certain medications. However, this process should have been explained clearly, including what information was required and the steps that could be taken to obtain it. I apologise if this was not communicated effectively.

I also acknowledge your concerns regarding the length of the appointment. While our standard consultations are 15 minutes, we recognise that some health concerns require additional time and discussion. Longer appointments are available for patients who may need extended consultation time. As these appointments cannot currently be booked through HotDoc, patients are required to contact the practice directly to arrange them.

Additionally, I apologise that when you raised further concerns during the consultation, the alternative offered was an appointment the following day, which you were unable to attend. I understand that this did not adequately address your concerns, particularly given the length of time you had already waited for your original appointment.

I would be happy to assist in arranging another appointment with a doctor to discuss any outstanding concerns and to ensure that any necessary documentation from your treating specialist has been obtained. This will help us provide continuity of care and ensure your concerns are addressed appropriately. Please feel free to contact me if you would like assistance with arranging a suitable appointment.

Thank you again for bringing this matter to our attention. We value your feedback and sincerely apologise for the frustration and disappointment this experience has caused. Your comments have been noted and will assist us in improving the care and service we provide to our patients.

Kind regards,

Ashleigh
Practice Manager - Swan Hill Primary Health Medical Centre

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