"I miss the old surgery it used to be"

This is not a review about a specific time I visited the GP practice. Instead it’s about my overall experience having been a patient for more than 25 years here. The practice was an amazing one and definitely had qualities I could boast about in times gone by. The doctors, receptionists and all the staff there had relationships with our family and we always have gifts at Christmas etc. It was a lovely place to be when you’re sick especially. You were treated with care and respect.

Unfortunately, a few years ago, most of the doctors we knew and the receptionists left the practice for various reasons and there was a new cohort of staff. Myself and our family were disappointed with the lack of respect, care and understanding offered to us even when we said we had been patients for so long. I did expresss a few times that it just wasn’t the same and I gave time as I was told there was a transitionary period and the new partners knew that it wasn’t right.

Here I am, many more months and a good few years later, still feeling like the practice has just never been the same or even similar to what it used to be. I have had many reasons to complain on behalf of myself and my family but have not as I feel like it is a battle already lost. Things like not being allowed to have your blood results, not being allowed a printout unless I paid 10 pounds (they’re MY results), not being given appointments and having to beg for one almost whilst you’re at work waiting for 45 mins on the phone line. We have passed this thank god as the one good thing is that there is now ‘Ask My Gp’ - good system but still not always contacted back on time. I don’t think I have been able to see the same doctor even if I wanted to and I’ve been told before by a doctor who put his hands on his ears and said to just give him one symptom. My brother recently experienced the same and I was irate about this. How can a practice have doctors who can make patients feel so disgusted? I hope you realise that we come to the doctors or call up because we absolutely need to. Nobody LIKES to come to the doctors in their spare time or change working times just to come. The receptionists have been rude over the years and the previous ones were just so good. They always wanted to help instead of wanting to argue or be of no help. Many times the receptionists have got things wrong for me and I’ve had to say no that’s not me that’s another patient or help them out (which I’m happy to do) but the quality of the practice has deteriorated sincerely. I would never want a doctor to think he/she is doing me a favour by listening to me when they are hired to do so and to help and care for me and other patients.

The other reviews express things about late appointments and I agree. IF I am ever late, I would get told I can’t be seen (I’ve seen it happen to an elderly patient) and if they are late, it’s all okay.

Please brief your staff to try and treat their patients with care!