In Praise Of Our Gp

[Vagus]

I know a lot of people have many problems accessing their local surgery but today has made us really appreciate ours.
Other half has had an awful weekend with the after effects of flu, which he barely knew he had, partly I feel because he’d had a flu jab. He has well controlled asthma but this has really settled on his chest. We started calling our surgery at 8am when the phone lines open, eventually got through at 8.50 to a receptionist.
After explaining the problem he was immediately offered a face to face appointment at 12.15.
He saw the GP, was examined and came away with a prescription for amoxicillin and prednisone, and a new inhaler. This is exactly the appointment and prescription he would have received pre covid.
Hurrah for our surgery!!
Coincidentally, I have received in the post today a survey to complete about the service we receive from our surgery, in an effort for the NHS to improve things.
The only improvement I can suggest, for our surgery, is the length of time it takes to get through, in the morning, to make an appointment. I’m not sure how that can be achieved.
As I say, full marks to our surgery :)

[Tilly2]

Good to hear something positive and to hear that your OH has obtained the necessary medication. I hope he feels better soon.

Is you surgery taking on new patients, by the way? I am willing to travel.

[237SJ]

I`ve never had a problem with the GP even though I never see the same one twice (that doesn't bother me though) It's the admin that lets the NHS down.

[Vagus]

Tilly, I think it’s important to state the positives as well as the negatives, about GPs, which is why I’ve put this rather lengthy post. I feel we’re very lucky, but i do feel we’re not the only ones who have a good GP practice, it’s just that people are more likely to moan about them than praise them.
I think it would take you about two or three hours from where I think you live, to our surgery..a bit for perhaps! ;)

[Vagus]

Sj, we never see the same one twice unless the doctor asks. Personally, I couldn’t care less who we see as long as we’re seen face to face or spoken to on the phone.
Actually, the doctor OH saw today, I have seen previously and is fairly new to the practice, her name is Dr Mohammed, she’s great and sorted out a really nasty ongoing problem I had. If I had a choice, I’d ask for her every time.

[Patsy33]

That's great. Relieves the stress! So pleased your OH was seen quickly & efficiently. Wish all were like it. :-)

[237SJ]

I couldn't fault the NHS when I had a melanoma scare a couple years ago. I went to a private dermatologist about something else and she spotted something else that I was a bit concerned about. I drove home and phoned the GP who got back to me about an hour later. That was on a Wednesday. The following Monday (a bank holiday) I was at the local hospital and the following tuesday I was back at the hospital having it cut out. Brilliant service but I waited weeks for the result.

[MissTerious2]

I have no problems with our surgery, but I had a tremendous problem yesterday with an out of hours doc who was at the surgery. Ended up going to A and E in Norwich where I was seen 30 mins after I arrived.
All started with a 111 call and I couldn't fault them either, just that damn out of hours doctor!!

A strong complaint being made. A and E were cross too about that damn doctor!

[Hazlinny]

Vagus/ Like you I cannot fault the Surgery I attend but I do find the younger GPs are more "on the ball" than the older ones - at the moment there is a brilliant trainee GP and a part-time GP who both go that extra mile to diagnose a problem. Face-to-face appointments are often given for the same day. However, not all Surgeries in the area are like this and horror stories do emerge, especially regarding the length of time patients have to wait for an appointment.

[barry1010]

We are very lucky with our surgery, too. No problem seeing GP during lockdown when necessary, no problem now

[david small]

Credit where credit is due.

[roopower]

Our surgery is good too. If I ring I'm nearly always offered face to face, even if I don't need one. We have to ring at 8.30 and I've rung over 100 times before giving up or getting through. Yesterday, we had a text asking patients not to ring asking for repeat prescriptions but to use any of several other methods. (We are set up online or there is a postbox at the surgery). Maybe they hope this will ease the phone situation a bit.

[choux]

Really pleased for you, Vagus, nice to read such a positive comment.
I no longer get survey forms to complete from my surgery, no guesses why that would be! Our actual GP, head of the practice now, is ok when one can can actually get through to him. I would imagine a few patients have fossilised whilst waiting on the phone. I tend to write as long a letter as is necessary to explain the latest emergency and hand deliver it to reception with "urgent" marked on the envelope. That system has not failed me yet. It bothers me not what the practice think of me but I will get urgent attention for OH as and when I deem it essential - I haven't been wrong so far.

[Vagus]

We’ve done our repeat prescriptions on line for a number of years, we just turn up at the pharmacy and there’s the meds waiting for us, great system. There’s also a post box within the surgery for those who prefer to do it that way. We’ve never been able to ask for repeats over the phone, always has to either be in writing, a tick on the back of the tear off bit of the previous prescription, or online.
I’m sorry to read of those who’ve had problems but pleased that you, choux, have found a way round things. And glad your OH is home.
The survey I’ve now completed wasn’t from the surgery but from the NHS itself independently. At least I feel it shows they’re trying to find a solution to some problems.

[choux]

Thanks Vagus. I am thinking of changing my initials to F F
(femme formidable). I find it so easy to fight on someone else's behalf when they are up against things.

[galasalmon]

Surgery I go to give you an appointment that day if it is urgent and I personally cannot fault them .It is a face to face consultation.