"Avoid at all costs"

As a long-standing patient of this medical practice, I am unable to recommend it on any level. In fact, I have now developed a fear of attending the doctors as a result of this practice and have not been for a long time, despite various medical issues. Some of the receptionists are unpleasant, rude and dismissive and the vast number of administrative errors and people failing to act on things has led to many months of delays in treatments for me.

Most importantly, mental health provision at the practice is appalling. Many years ago on first seeking help, I was told by a female doctor here ‘Why would someone young and attractive like you be depressed?’ It was 10 years before I was brave enough to ask for help again after this shocking experience. That time I was told to just ‘eat more soya’ to balance my hormones. I also booked an emergency appointment last year when my state of mind was very bad and was told by the doctor that emergency appointments are for emergencies only – my issues were not explored and I was dismissed as not being ill enough to warrant the time slot. During another episode, my partner called the out of hours emergency crisis line. Details of the call were forwarded to my GP at the practice but not a single person has ever followed this up or contacted me from Bridge Street. All attempts from me to request psychological support have led to me being told to self-refer for CBT again and again and again. I tried it 3 times and it does not work for me. And in any case, why should a mentally unwell patient self-refer? Sometimes one does not have the mental strength to do that. Would you ask a patient with a broken leg to self-refer for help? My advice – find a new practice or go privately. There are no solutions, empathy or help to be found here, only obstacles and added pain and distress.