"I'm going to miss this practice"

It always surprises me when I read poor reviews of the Stamford Hill Group Practice. I've been with them for seventeen years now, and they're unquestionably the best practice I've been with in London, or indeed anywhere.

The doctors and nurses are excellent, caring and friendly. They've seen me through some major health crises, mental as well as physical, over the years, always with compassion, consideration and, on occasion, much needed humour. They've always taken the time to listen, and put my best interests first. I can be a nervous patient on occasion, and I've been put at my ease there, able to talk freely about my anxieties and concerns.

I've usually had no difficulty getting appointments. The online service is easy to use. Yes, you occasionally have to wait to get through when you ring on the day, but the receptionists are always polite, and I've always found I can talk to the doctor I want to talk to, usually within a short space of time. Similarly I've never had any problems getting through to one of the nurses or to the practice pharmacist, who has always been incredibly helpful, steering me though the regime of medicines that I now have to take. 

I don't really understand why some people aren't keen on the Patient First system. You get to talk to someone quickly, whereas beforehand you couldn't always get a same day appointment. If you need a face to face appointment, it's usually arranged on the day. Referrals have always been quickly sorted. On one occasion, when I hadn't realised things were serious, I was admitted to hospital the day of the initial phone appointment for treatment that was literally life-saving. During the Covid pandemic, there was consequently no need to adjust to phone consultations, and if you absolutely needed to see someone face to face, then an appointment was arranged. 

So I owe them a great deal. I'm soon moving out of the area, however, and indeed leaving London.  And although the move is something positive that I've needed to do for a while, I'm going to miss this practice that has done so much for me over the years. If I find one half has good after I've moved I shall consider myself extremely fortunate! I can't recommend them too highly.