PATIENTS at two of the town's notoriously under-fire doctors' surgeries were being sent to a walk in centre before their ailments are assessed, healthcare chiefs have revealed.

Healthwatch Reading has said residents who use Circuit Lane and Priory Avenue surgeries could get on-the-day appointments for poorly children and were being duped into thinking certain doctors still work at the centres.

The revelations came to light after Healthwatch announced on its website that it has escalated its concerns over the surgeries and urged anyone who has experienced similar faults to contact them.

OneMedicalGroup took over the two sites under a new 10 year lease last year following a series of failings which were pointed out by the health watchdog, the Care Quality Commission.

However, the new firm insists that improvements have been made at both surgeries and bosses have pleaded for the community to support their efforts.

Priory Avenue surgery in Caversham was placed into special measures while Circuit Lane surgery in Southcote was told it requires improvement. The measures were later lifted.

On Tuesday, a post on independent scrutiny group Healthwatch's website read: "Patients have told us of long delays in getting repeat prescriptions and they can’t get on-the-day appointments for unwell children.

"Staff are telling them to go to the Reading Walk-in Centre without checking how urgent their problem is.

"The surgeries’ websites contain inaccurate information about which doctors are working, as many have left and complaints to the surgeries have not been acknowledged."

Healthwatch Requested a meeting with local NHS commissioners in November last year to pass on "evidence about the poor service at the surgeries".

Members also told the commissioners to speed up the repeat prescription turn around and make appointments more readily available, especially for sick children.

Rebecca Norris, manager at Healthwatch Reading, added: "We escalated these concerns earlier in December. 

"We have met with OneMedicalGroup and we now wait eagerly to see proof of improvements.

"We have a big list of questions.

"They have promised they will get those back to us by the end of the day (Fri)."

Councillor Graeme Hoskins, lead member for health at Reading Borough Council, added: "A lot of people particularly in Southcote have a lot of concerns.

"Myself and some of the councillors have met with the CCG. The surgeries have been in intensive support which is good to hear but it's worrying they need it."

Bosses at OneMedicalGroup insist they have worked with Healthwatch Reading and already addressed some of the concerns raised in the most recent report.

The waiting time for prescriptions has been reduced from a four or five week period to less than five days.

A spokesman continued: "We are investigating some of the more complicated cases. We wish to reassure patients that children and other patients with an urgent health need are able to access same day appointments at both practices.

"There is still work to do in further reducing the waiting times for prescriptions, and in getting new systems and processes in place to improve our services and care. The practice teams are working hard to bring about changes in response to patients’ needs.

“We are grateful for the support and understanding of patients whilst we work to improve their services.”