"Fantastic Practise - As they should be"

I moved surgeries back to WELFIELD my childhood practise after a 21 year break.The Doctors are energised & care, actually listen & do their best.Its a young team & their spark hasn’t dimmed(Although the recent retiree was a superstar & saved my life aged 13!).The Practise Mgrs can’t do enough for you.Their professional positivity permeates through the practice.The ladies you speak to are helpful & cheerful in what I’m sure can be a thankless job.On the 1 occasion I have complained regarding a staff members attitude on the phone (A small matter) it was dealt with promptly & professionally, without recrimination towards me following it.

At my previous surgery LGP in R’dale I felt a nuisance & dismissed,staff were frequently rude & some Drs wanted you in & out ASAP.My medical condition & history is complex & it’s hard to cope with some aspects when you feel your GP is dismissive.From day1 the practise have been fantastic.I felt foolish due to my initial trepidation to moving from LGP-purely based on my 18 year experience at the’OLD’Welfield vs LGP. Despite the terrible patient care,familiarity bred comfort.

Welfield’s Dr’s have always gone above & beyond,referred me to other bodies to help eg The Pain Clinic.They’re empathetic & listen-a simple thing but a rare commodity.Especially if by virtue of your condition you have to attend regularly.

Appointments can be hard to book but thats equal for all surgeries.I think the practise have been excellent during COVID.During this unprecedented time since Feb 2020 & Today the 8th July,the practise team have gone out of their way to help me get prescriptions & appointments outside of the normal protocol.For that I’m extremely grateful. I think too often we (I) complain quickly but don’t praise when it’s due-it’s seen as expected.Having been a patient of such a poor practise where rudeness & being glib was commonplace you appreciate the ‘GOOD’.For example LGP discharged me & canceled an appointment 2 days after I applied to move-with no notification.As a result I ran out of medication which you can’t just stop taking. Upset I rang 111,attended LGP & pleaded with the practise manager via her staff that I needed the meds & 111 advised it was still THEIR RESPONSIBILITY to provide this for up to 14 days post day 1 of my transfer request.I was met with “You are no longer OUR responsibility & we couldn’t prescribe even if we wanted to as you’ve left our system”(Which 111 confirmed is untrue.ANY GP can prescribe eg BARDOC as your records are shared live & online).To go in tears & distressed from there to WELFIELD where it was sorted THAT DAY-with a smile,was a joy & appreciated!I’ve not regretted moving since & would recommend the surgery to anyone.

My ONLY complaint which is outside their control is the tagged on pharmacy.It’s terrible!Waiting times,out of stocks, prescriptions being dispensed short & they never answer the phone. Lloyd’s is far superior BUT the Welfield pharmacy has better opening hours sadly.