I have had gastric problems for many years, had a very nice and helpful gastroenterologist for a few years but he finally retired and I was unable to see him again. He was NOT with Baystate Health. About 5 wks. ago I had an appointment at Baystate Gastroenterology, Springfield, MA. I met with a NP, Alison Wynter, who I thought was very pleasant, asked the right questions. On that particular day, I wasn't having a problem, felt pretty good. We parted with a smile and I felt I could depend on help from her if my stomach problem kicked up again. I have an ongoing battle with h.pylori, it started nearly 40 yrs. ago. I've been treated for it numerous times, but it always comes back eventually. A few days after my appt. with Alison, I started having stomach pain and nausea. I called the GI practice, spoke to whoever answers the phone, asked if Alison would please give me a call. As is the practice with Baystate Health, you rarely if ever get a call back from a NP and speaking to a doctor is like asking to speak to an alien from Mars, and we know that's impossible. I did receive a call from a young woman who asked how I was doing and so forth and said that Alison would give me a call. That didn't happen. Fast forward to 8:30 this morning, a call from that office, asking me if I could receive a call/speak to Alison at 11:00 this morning. I explained I could not, had to go out, car trouble, etc... She then asked if Alison could call at 9:00. I said yes. A few minutes after 9, another person (non-clinical) called. Proceeded to ask questions, i.e., date of birth, what supplements I take daily, even though that information had been entered into my chart a month before. She then asked, "Do you know what medications you take?" My answer to that, "Of course I know what medications I take; I've been taking them for many years, do you think I'm an idiot?" Apparently, my answer hurt her delicate feelings. She then said, "I'm going to hang up now, Alison will call you shortly." At 9:30, Alison called. She proceeded to tell me, "You cannot swear at the people at Baystate!" Swear?? I told her I didn't swear at her but found it somewhat insulting/disrespectful that the girl asked me "if I KNEW what medications I take" in a manner that seemed as though I might NOT know, COULD HAVE forgotten, or I was just plain off my rocker a bit. She could have said, if she knew better, "will you please give me a list of your daily medications." Trying to speak to Alison while she continued to speak OVER me as if I am a bad and/or stupid child was difficult to say the least. She expected me to shut-up and acquiesce. She did not like it when I said, "I cannot explain anything to you if you continue to talk over me." Her reply to that, "YOU are talking over me." She then hung up on me. HEALTH CARE AT IT'S BEST???? Merely another example of Baystate Health System. Ignored requests for referrals and 2nd opinions, which we ARE all entitled to. Lying. Narcissistic attitudes. Superiority complex? You ARE your own best advocate. Do not let anyone treat you like a 3rd class person because they WILL try and get away with it if you are easily imposed on and quiet. Speak up!! read more

Waited months to see doctor for serious issue. Unfortunately, day of appointment I ran into traffic due to accident on 91S, which made me 15 minutes late. While in traffic I attempted to call the office to let them know my situation, I was on hold for 10 minutes and no one answered. I arrived at 1:15 (appointment was for 1pm) I explained what happened and they refused to see me, even after I told them my symptoms. The only thing they did was offer me an appointment 4 months out. unbelievable that a doctors office would turn patient away under these circumstances. read more