Attention Dr. Robert Halpenny,
The Cascade Clinic in Princeton has three new doctors, a total of four and one nurse practitioner, but there are three phone lines and only one receptionist to handle all the calls!
There are many residents complaining about the new system. There are also complaints about the reception area, but I am not personally aware of this. In regards to the clinic:
On the afternoon of Jan 6, a woman called the clinic to make an appointment, after four hours of alternately getting busy signals or a constant ringing, she gave up and called again the next day.
On Jan. 9 I started calling at 1:03 p.m., to make an appointment for a driver’s exam. Between 1:03 and 1:25 p.m., I kept getting a recording -”Office closed, hours are etc and closed between 12 to 1 p.m. Someone answered at 1:25 p.m., I mentioned the 12 – 1 p.m. closure, and was told in a surly tone, “I’m answering now.” I was taken aback at this response but I let it pass at that time and got an appointment for Jan. 31. The form I need for the driver’s exam is due back in Victoria in 45 days and when I get in for the appointment, three weeks of those days are gone. I called the next morning and spoke with the regular receptionist and got an earlier appointment. With the way the government moves (slow) in most matters, and with the mail being what it is, I just hope the form arrives in allotted time.
I have been a resident of Princeton for 20 years and I have never had to wait more than four to five days for an appointment and I was the patient of a very busy doctor.
One last thing — another lady after waiting a great length of time in the clinic, to get a prescription filled had to finally tell the receptionist that she had to go back to work. The lady was told to go to the Emergency Room, which she did the next day. After another hour and a half of waiting there, she got her prescription.
With four doctors and a nurse practitioner residents are wondering, why the long waiting periods? Does anyone have an answer to this?
Thank you,
Kay Goglin, Princeton
