New Pediatrician - Pleasant Hill, CA

I changed our doctor to Dr. Wagner last fall - he is Dr. Rushes' partner. I had no issue getting my daughter in for her 5 year old well child check. But I think Dr. Rush is the more popular doc. That said, I think Dr. Wagner is wonderful. I know they have appointments reserved everyday for urgent issues (ie. sick kids) but the times for well child appt are limited because it is a longer appt. At my last doctor my daughter, whose BD was in Sept, wasn't able to have her well child appt until November.

However, I have spent hours on hold over the years, especially when my kids were babies. It was to point that I made sure my phones all had speaker phone because I was often holding. That was more common with San Francisco Kaiser, though. Sometimes it has to do with the time you call - Monday's are the worst.

Regarding the ophthamologist, do you have an HMO and require an official referral? If so, perhaps pleading with them that this issue (your daughter's medical issue) really concerns you and you want to address it asap. But I've found that if the doctor isn't putting it on the fast track it is probably not a time sensitive issue.

Let me know if you need more info. We've been in PH for 7 years after moving from SF. I know it can be hard to figure everything out. Good-luck. Michele

I recommend dr. maria steelman at lafayette pediatrics. she's wonderful and i have never ever EVER expereienced anything remotely liek whgat you are describing. don't put up with that.

I was taking my daughter to the same office for about a year but seeing Dr Wagner. He also was a good dr but I dont think it was worth all the waiting we had to do. They worked fast when they detected an irregular heartbeat on my daughter. But other then that the office was slow and I hated to call and try to talk to the advise nurse. Our insurance switched to Kaiser, so I cant help with a new dr. I know there are some really good ones in Walnut Creek. Just call your insurance and get a list of dr's in the area. I think driving to WC is worth it if you dont have to wait all day on hond!!! Good Luck

I would definitely change - that is not normal. We have Dr. Benway at East Street Kids in Concord and all the doctors in that practise are great. They follow up with you & if there is any problem, they work with you.
Good luck with finding a new pediatrician.

I think that office is ridiculous and should not be accepting new patients if they have appointments booked out that far in advance. I have NEVER heard of that especially for a peds office, whom generally need to accomodate same day requests.
Anyway, my twins go to John Muir Health in Concord at 1600 Grant Street. I love the Doctors there and everyone in the office is great. They have always been able to accomodate same day appointments and I have never had an issue scheduling checkups for the twins.(who are seen at the same time). There main Doc is Lance Gershen, but I also really like James Evans, He is young and I thought he was caring and genuinely listened to our concerns. Since I am military I know they are on the Triwest list so you shouldn't have a problem there.

Good Luck,
K.