Brenner Clinic, Williamstown

Gael23

I was up there a few days ago and was pretty shocked to discover that there now seems to be just one Doctor working there. Since I joined 4 years ago they have always had between 2 and 4 GPs
Does anyone know anything about this?

reni10

It is always really hard to get an appointment there!
Forget about ringing in the morning expecting to get an appointment for any time that same day!

It seems they have 2 male doctors but one only works mornings and the other afternoons.

There is another doctor opening by Farren park soon so they might be worth a try instead.

Gael23

reni10 wrote: »

It is always really hard to get an appointment there!
Forget about ringing in the morning expecting to get an appointment for any time that same day!

It seems they have 2 male doctors but one only works mornings and the other afternoons.

There is another doctor opening by Farren park soon so they might be worth a try instead.

Who is that opening by Farran Park do you know?
One of the male doctors has left, so now there is just the other. As far as I was aware he is full time and the other did 4 days.
I have ongoing medical problems so was a fairly regular patient of the one that has left. He was the best Doctor I think I have ever been to and he helped me a lot ao I'm feeling a little lost now. Because of my history,,my appointments are scheduled at certain intervals so I always book in advance so I can get in when I need to.

Samsgirl

One of the doctors going into the place beside Farran Pk is a lady dr -Dr Grey. She used to with Dr Cormac O'Nuallain up in Grange Manor.

twistables

Any body know if Dr. Breen is still in brenner clinic or has he moved on?? Also if so where??thanks

Gael23

twistables wrote: »

Any body know if Dr. Breen is still in brenner clinic or has he moved on?? Also if so where??thanks

He's not there at the moment but he has gone away for a time before and come back. But would also like to know if he has moved on or not. I will try and find out but could take me a while.
I wanted to get sick when I found out on Tuesday. As I said I have some ongoing medical problems and he has pretty much changed my life, particularly in the past year when he completely changed my medication. When I was with him last month he never said your next visit might not be with me or anything like that. At the moment I really don't know how I'll manage without him.

Baby4

This post has been deleted.

Gael23

Yes its [name removed] im talking about. He has been fantastic to me, particularly in the past year when he became almost a lifeline to me.
I can only hope that he will be back in a few months or has gone somewhere nearby that I can follow him to because im at a loss to know how i'll manage without him

Baby4

This post has been deleted.

kuang1

He won't be back. It's for definite. There are a lot of disappointed people out there. Not pats fault from what I've heard, he just needed to move on for personal reasons.

Baby4

This post has been deleted.

Gael23

kuang1 wrote: »

He won't be back. It's for definite. There are a lot of disappointed people out there. Not pats fault from what I've heard, he just needed to move on for personal reasons.

Where is he gone to do you know?
Edit: Ive PM,d you

Gael23

Baby4 wrote: »

This post has been deleted.

Cant agree more. Ive a long term condition and he changed my life. I was with him a month ago and he never said anything.
I feel sick, I really do

April1

I feel exactly the same. I was in with Dr Breen a few weeks ago also. I am really fed up about it. Like you I have long term medical conditions. I liked seeing the same doctor, instead of explaining everything each time I went in there. I have never been very impressed with the other GP's there.
I joined years ago because I was looking for a female GP and Dr Brenner was really good. I was disappointed when I found out she was no longer available.
Many of the receptionist have gone too. The new girls there are so helpful. I always felt the old receptions didn't care so much.:mad:

Gael23

I remember a while back he was gone for a few months and came back so im.sort of hoping thats the case this time

twistables

Many of the receptionist have gone too. The new girls there are so helpful. I always felt the old receptions didn't care so much.:mad:[/quote]

^^Couldn't agree more and am glad I'm not the only one that felt this. Used to really annoy me the manner in which they spoke to people.
Have heard since that Dr. Breen won't be back, He's going travelling and upon his return won't be setting up in Waterford, that's from a friend of a friend so don't bet your mortgage on it!!
Maybe we should set up a fan club with all the positive comments on here ;-)

Gael23

twistables wrote: »

Maybe we should set up a fan club with all the positive comments on here ;-)

He changed my life. I dont know how much more positive it gets than that. In all my life no other Doctor has dealt with my issues in such a progressive manner focused in improving my long term health. Aside from that he was a genuinely nice person who you could talk to about absolutely anything, and I mean anything, and he was someone I really trusted.
All I can say is that i'm sorry I only found him 4 years ago. But in this past year he has honstly been a lifeline to me and i'm at a loss to know how i'll manage without that.

Do you know when he left? I was with him 5 weeks ago and he said nothing to me.

April1

twistables wrote: »

Many of the receptionist have gone too. The new girls there are so helpful. I always felt the old receptions didn't care so much.:mad:

^^Couldn't agree more and am glad I'm not the only one that felt this. Used to really annoy me the manner in which they spoke to people.
Have heard since that Dr. Breen won't be back, He's going travelling and upon his return won't be setting up in Waterford, that's from a friend of a friend so don't bet your mortgage on it!!
Maybe we should set up a fan club with all the positive comments on here ;-)[/QUOTE]

Hi So glad you agree. The receptions were very rude, on many many occasions. I few months ago I was considering leaving the Brenner Clinic. I felt the place had changed so much and had lost its personal touch. I preferred it when there was just one GP there. I was rushed through many of my appointments, and told a few times that I didn't have enough time to discuss everything. (everything was an earache, a repeat prescription, and to ask about blood test results).

Gael23

April if you went to [name removed]you would not have felt that, guaranteed. He would have given me all the time in the world if I needed it. Another doctor would have left a prescription at reception but he always saw me when.my repeats were due.
I personally never had an issue with the receptionists but have heard stories. They always did their best to fit me in if I needed to see [name removed] for an unplanned visit

April1

Its such a pity that he is gone. I hope they get another female doctor.

Gael23

April1 wrote: »

Its such a pity that he is gone. I hope they get another female doctor.

It's terrible that they don't have a female GP. As far as I know [name removed] is doing a limited amount of surgery hours for patients that request a Female Doctor.
I feel at a loss that [name removed] has gone. I just really wish someone told me because surely he must have known for a while that he was doing this. Anyone with ongoing medical problems will know that you really grow to depend on your doctor and one like him who was so caring, patient and understanding is simply irreplaceable, to me anyway. He was someone you could discuss absolutely anything with no matter how big or small.
All I can say is that what he has done for me since last year will benefit me for many years to come and in all my 22 years no other doctor has tried to help me more and done something that has worked.

April1

I had to go to another female doctor (that I had never been to before) a few weeks ago, because they had no female doctor. Which was a real pain.

Gael23

Did any patients know that he was going to be leaving?

April1

I hadn't heard anything, but that not saying maybe other patients knew about him leaving. Are you going to stay with the Brenner Clinic?

Gael23

April1 wrote: »

I hadn't heard anything, but that not saying maybe other patients knew about him leaving. Are you going to stay with the Brenner Clinic?

I don't know,I really don't. I know I have to give Sean Hogan a chance so I probably will for a while at least. My parents keep telling me that he has equipped me with the tools to keep going, which is true but to me his support and advice can never be replaced.
It's handy for me too as I'm living out that way. I left Rowe Creavin to go to [name removed] because I was fed up never being able to get an appointment. But since there's supposed to be a new male doctor that's nice so things might be different.
It's nothing to do with me his reasons for leaving but patients with a medical history like mine really depend on a doctor so I really wish he had simply said I might not be seeing him next time.

Gael23

I rang the clinic this morning.
It seems he has left to travel and has no set plans for when he returns. The girl said he left before and came back, which is correct.
My feeling is that he has officially left but if his job is still there when he returns then he will come back.

April1

When I asked the receptionist, all she said was that he had gone traveling and wasn't coming back. She didn't want to go into more details, in fact she didn't really even want to tell me that he had gone traveling.

Gael23

Major update on this.
Sean Hogan is leaving. There is a new male doctor starting soon as far as I've been told.
Whsts bigger is that I was told Eithne Brenner is selling the GP practice to devote herself to Faceworks. I can't swear to that but that's what I heard.

I need to go in next week but after that i'm out.

April1

Omg, I would love to know what happened there??!! Gosh where did you hear this from? I think Im out of there too, but I just dont know what other doctor to go to, any ideas??

Gael23

April1 wrote: »

Omg, I would love to know what happened there??!! Gosh where did you hear this from? I think Im out of there too, but I just dont know what other doctor to go to, any ideas??

I haven't thought about it yet as I only found out this a few hours ago. I have a medical card so its not so straightforward to move. I would be looking for a male doctor too so the same place might not suit us both.

April1

I too have a medical card, why is not so simple? How did you find out?

Gael23

Doctors have a quota of how many medical card patients they can accept so they have to have room for you. Otherwise you just turn up and pay €50 and you have no problems

1967

The practice is closing in the next couple of weeks, I had an appointment there today and for anybody looking for a good gp who cares and takes his time then I can recommend Sean Hogan, today was his last day and he is going to the Carraigdhoun surgery a new practice only opened recently it's between farran park roundabout and williamstown roundabout.

Gael23

Even if it's staying open under a new owner as I have heard it's the end of the line for me regardless. I don't know if I will follow Sean Hogan to this new place or not. I joined the Brenner Clinic as [name removed] patient so I never really dealt with Sean Hogan too often.

April1

Dr Hogan seemed very nice, however I was never too impressed with him as a GP. I would have seen Dr Breen mostly, then once or twice the female doctor. She also left at Christmas, so I hear. I just don't know what do now!

I wonder what happened to make Dr Brenner close down. I hear they were doing well and had over 8,000 people on their books.
I could never understand why they always had more receptionists on than GP's.

Is there also a new-ish doctors opened on the Dunmore road, close to the Woodlands Hotel? Does anyone know about it?

Gael23

I'm not really sure but I think that might be Pat Devlin. I don't know her at all, never been to her and don't know anyone that has. She would be an older woman though so givens hat I never heard anything bad I would say she's good. The person told me all this today said that the doctor Sean Hogan will be working with, Deborah Gray, is fantastic.

Daithi272

Don't know the new name. From what I am reading here and what I was told earlier she will probably just salvage what she can and move on with life .. wouldn't you?

April1

Its really doesn't look good at all. Especially as Dr Brenner has her other business. I think it would be fair if her patients were told of the changes and that she is closing. There will a lot of very upset patients out there when they find out. Like us, I sure many will be looking for a new GP, but where will they all go.

There isn't much choice out there!!

Gael23

Daithi272 wrote: »

Don't know the new name. From what I am reading here and what I was told earlier she will probably just salvage what she can and move on with life .. wouldn't you?

I was told on fairly good authority yesterday that she is selling the GP practice and going full time into face works. What I can't understand is why one or both of [name removed] haven't tried to buy the place

April1 wrote: »

Its really doesn't look good at all. Especially as Dr Brenner has her other business. I think it would be fair if her patients were told of the changes and that she is closing. There will a lot of very upset patients out there when they find out. Like us, I sure many will be looking for a new GP, but where will they all go.

There isn't much choice out there!!

[name removed]needs to come out and make some sort of announcement about what's going on, the secretaries are trying to but it has to come directly from her. Like I said a while back here, [name removed] did so much for me, especially over the last year so I was fairly taken aback when he left and was going to leave there and then and make a fresh start with someone else but decided to give them a chance, that's gone now though. As to where I'm going, I have no idea. If Rowe Creavin are taking Medical Cards, maybe back there or else possibly follow Sean Hogan.

Gael23

I just really want to know whats going on.
More to the point I feel let down. I'm not for one second suggesting that this is [name removed] fault and I have nothing but praise for them both, particularly [name removed]. But surely someone knew about this before now. When [name removed] was leaving, we all knew a couple of weeks in advance that she was going and just over 2 months later [name removed] leaves with virtually no warning and another month on we have this news.
If I was someone that just went in once a year or whenever I was sick then I would just move on but I have some medical issues so could have really done with some warning, and im sure there are many other patients like me there too.

April1

ryanf1, I completely agree. I would like to know what is going on too. Very unsure what to do now. I need a GP that I know and knows me. I had never heard about Dr O'Reilly leaving either, did the staff tell you in advance, or her? Have you checked out the Brenner Clinics Facebook page?

Gael23

April1 wrote: »

ryanf1, I completely agree. I would like to know what is going on too. Very unsure what to do now. I need a GP that I know and knows me. I had never heard about Dr O'Reilly leaving either, did the staff tell you in advance, or her? Have you checked out the Brenner Clinics Facebook page?

It was put on their website just before christmas that she was leaving on whatever date, I cant remember when exactly. I find it hard to buy it that [name removed] did not know 5 weeks before he left either, but maybe im wrong. My medical histiry is fairly long so I need someone that is aware of everything and what medication i'm on,etc.
I'm finished college on May 17th and unless things change dramatically and [name removed] returns, I will be leaving the practice. I have heard that Deborah Grey is great with womens things so maybe give her a try?

April1

Does anyone know exactly when they are closing?

Gael23

Yet another twist in the tale.
Sean Hogan did indeed leave last Friday, and Eithne Brenner is not there this week either. There is some foreign doctor covering while they are "Recruiting". I dont believe a word they say anymore so wouldnt buy that at all.
The rumours going around are vicious, but you know what, I wouldn't be surprised if every word of it is true. The way this is being handled is a joke. I'm going for some tests next week so I have no clue who will read the results. Also what are people supposed to do if they need prescriptions and things?
At the moment my plan is to contact the hospital and see if its possible for them to send me the results directly because I never want to set foot in there again only to collect my files.

DonFred

I was told today the Dr. Breen is gone travelling and Dr. Hogan is not on today but some foreign doctor is available. Never said Dr. Hogan has left or anything. Very odd!

Gael23

April1 wrote: »

Does anyone know exactly when they are closing?

I heard Good Friday but I dont know for sure.

DonFred wrote: »

I was told today the Dr. Breen is gone travelling and Dr. Hogan is not on today but some foreign doctor is available. Never said Dr. Hogan has left or anything. Very odd!

Theres ALOT more to it than that. We may never know the truth but this whole mess stinks.
Part of me wishes I never left Rowe Creavin and got myself tangled up in all this. And now I cant get back in there

April1

Are you hearing these rumors from a few people or just one? I think Dr Brenner needs to be clear with people, it really doesn't make her look good from a business point.

Gael23

A mixture really but most of it from the same person. When I put some of it to a secretary she denied it and said she had calls with the same things all day so I dont thik its one person spreading gossip. I know stories get tales on them but to be honest in this whole mess I would believe anything. I didnt believe it that sean hogan had left until this morning, simply because I thought it was too shocking to be true, but it was

Gael23

Time for the next installment.
The practice is closing to medical card paitents from Good Friday. From then on it will be open to private patients only. I understand that Medical card patients are being transferred to the surgery where Sean Hogan has moved to for 3 months.
Theres a letter at home for me from the HSE which I assume is in relation to this so if anyone else has gotten it maybe then can let us know? I'm away at college so wont see it until Friday.
All I can say is this is one sorry mess and in a way I wish I never moved there and got myself caught up in it all

April1

Are you sure it is staying opened just to private patients? Yes I got a letter today. Also very angry about it all. I called the phone number on the letter. We have to stay with the other doctor for 3 months before we can change to another doctor. So unfair!

Gael23

April1 wrote: »

Are you sure it is staying opened just to private patients? Yes I got a letter today. Also very angry about it all. I called the phone number on the letter. We have to stay with the other doctor for 3 months before we can change to another doctor. So unfair!

I don't think we do. But so that doesn't happen we have to change before next friday. I also rang that number but my blood was boiling at that moment so maybe I misunderstood but thats what I gathered.
This stinks to the high heavens. Also i'm struggling to find many practices willing to take medical card patients. But to be honest, if I was a private patient I would want to run a mile from the place anyway.