"Patients need to be first"

I have been a patient for well over ten years. In fact, when the Village practice first began, it was very much focused around patient care. Unfortunately, over the years, this focus seems to have shifted, and I’ve observed a significant decline in the standard of service.

Online appointments have become increasingly ineffective. Doctors often appear unprepared, lacking the correct or complete information because they have not reviewed the patient notes in advance. This not only undermines confidence in the care provided but also wastes valuable consultation time.

Additionally, I’ve received incorrect information from reception staff on several occasions, which is both frustrating and concerning.

A recent example: I requested a prostate cancer test and was informed by a doctor that such tests are not conducted unless symptoms are present. This contradicts widely available guidance, which states that men over a certain age are entitled to request a PSA test, even if they are asymptomatic. This kind of misinformation can lead to missed opportunities for early diagnosis and prevention.

I hope this feedback is taken seriously and contributes to improving the level of care and communication provided at the practice. Long-standing patients like myself would like to see the Village return to the high standards it once upheld.