"Service and overall experience is getting..."

I visited the surgery 3 days ago following a T/C by reception to inform me I am eligible for the NHS Health Check (for those aged 40-74). When I asked what this would involved, I was told by the receptionist that:

- It is a check that would involve amongst other things routine blood and urine tests --> the later is totally untrue!

On the day of appt. I met the nurse who:

- Took my blood pressure

- Weighed me

- Confirmed my medical history

- Run the NHS algorithm on risk of cardiovascular disease (available to the public on NHS Choices) and told me my risk is low (without any figures on diabetes / cholesterol levels), therefore see you in 5 years.

The nurse then told me to:

- Go to the gym and lose weight --> great!

Being a fairly active person and a health professional myself, with health eating habits and a good understanding about cardiovascular risk factors, I was a little annoyed; I do understand this is "NHS guidance" but the absolute adherence to it, without any critical evaluation / consideration of all information in hand is sheer "tick the box" practice.

The nurse was extremely resistant to take bloods and I had to have a long and difficult conversation on why I requested 4 basic blood tests based on my family's history of cardiovascular disease (they did eventually agree to take some bloods).

I discussed with the nurse that reception has given me conflicting info on this "Health Check", their response was "Oh, them? They don't know what they are doing!" Very reassuring! Makes me wonder who else doesn't know what s/he is doing in this surgery..

Results came out and some levels are "raised" according to a letter I received from the surgery. Do I know how much my levels are raised? No!

Was I given a printed copy of my results (for record keeping reasons) together with the letter? No!

I phoned the surgery, asking to have the results printed, I was told I need to put my request in writing (the receptionist told me this has always been the policy - well, not in my experience, I have been able to request a results printout over the phone before, nevertheless I will put my request in writing ..)

Can I see a GP for a discussion? Yes! In July! Once the system "releases" the routine appt. slots I can book online. OK, great. When are the slots released? The receptionist doesn't know, can't tell me and I should keep checking online daily! Are you kidding me?! Who does that? Who has the time to check daily?

To sum up my personal experience:

- Extremely poor communication style from staff and rudeness flying all over (as if they are doing a favour talking to us or answering our questions ..)

- Conflicting information

- Fragmented services

- Difficult to access a Dr unless it's an emergency

- Support staff let the Surgery down (I had fairly good experience with a couple of GPs I saw in the past - but they all left now!)

I will be changing my GP shortly. (Names of staff I had contact with at Practice Manager's disposal).