"NHS making the best of what they have."

Before joining The Iridium Medical Centre in 2016, I was very pleased with my previous GP. Due to moving away to a new home in a different area and being heavily pregnant with complications, I reluctantly joined this centre. I wasnt too confident about the care due to the reviews, which is a great shame because it caused unnecessary anxiety. If I wasn't pregnant I probably never wouldve changed the address at my previous practice.

When I joined the surgery there was some confusion about the process but then again, being pregnant and very tired didnt always help. My first appointment was with a healthcare assistant who was very friendly and explained the process.she explained it was not a medical Appointment but was just formality. We discussed my previous medical issues and my expectations. I left feeling good about the practice.

I have been able to book appointments using the app. Which I really like but its not for same day appointments, so whenever I have had the misfortune of poorly wheezy kids ive honestly been blessed with being able to make appointments on same day. Yes the receptionist does ask lots of questions but I think thats their job and just shows that they are trying to get patients that need appointments seen immediately. Ive never found them rude, more like to the point, which can probably come across as rushed but I work for the NHS and realise it can be hard to relay messages via telephone. I can honestly say ive always had an appointment everytime ive called, I can also say ive never called at 8 am on the dot, more like maybe 8:30 or after.

As for when I come in to the medical practice, its always been a wait. My believe always is that if timing is running over its because the practitioners are taking time with the patients they have in the consulting rooms.

The waiting rooms are usually always full which reflect peoples opinion of not getting appointments. Possibly? The practice has many doctors and nurses who honestly are always willing to help and listen. The practice nurses, male and female are great, the male took blood and I can honestly say as a needle phobe he had me well distracted during the process. The midwifery team are also great. I had a continguency plan in place for my overdue difficult pregnancy, especially during the bank holidays. Cant fault them a slight bit. And the doctors, well practice GPs and locums alike, they are brilliant. I always get the results I need. I dont like taking medicines for no reason so whenever possible I opt for no medication but am always given better non pharmaceutical alternatives such as physio instead of drugs. My son who has eczema got a referral to a specialist. When my son needed an admission at hospital for his wheeze, at the time I didnt feel the gp was taking his asthma seriously enough, however ive since learnt, he doesnt have asthma and that children often get viral wheezes. Sometimes time is everything.

Overall, im glad I joined the practice. Keep up the good work