"Refurbishment turns GP Surgery into an Instituition"

I took my 5 year old son to my GP surgery at Broomhill to ask about a weakness he has developed in his hip. My family as a whole have used the surgery quite a bit over the last few years particularly with the kids growing up. We have become used to an excellent service from all the GPs and the Practice Nurse, this visit was no exception in terms of the clinical service.

But oh dear what have they done to the reception area. They have built high plain panelled walls to the ceiling for the patients to stare at. The only way you can have eye contact with the receptionists is if you stand right in front of them, it has reduced any possibility of a friendly atmosphere between staff and patients and I believe from sitting there has made the waiting area into a claustophobic and fairly oppressive place for you to prepare yourself to see the clincal staff.

In short it now reminds me of at best the benefits agency or at worst a penal establishment where the first thought is that there will be troublesome and dangerous people coming to the counter.

A few quick points:

1. The newsletter (good idea) available updating re developments in the practice and HASC consortium, talked about extra work stations created but did not seems to say anything about consequences for patients or any involvement from the public re these developments.

2. I am conscious of health and safety but I have seen much better attempts at fulfilling those requirements whilst not perpetuating the us and them, culture.

3. I would suggest that in future there is some involvement from the public in planning for developments and I would also suggest that you give some thought to what can be done with what you have got eg brightly coloured posters or something that breaks up the look of those walls.

Otherwise continued thanks for providing me and my family with a good service.