Opinions of GPs

System

My last GP was BRILLIANT, it always required a longer wait to see her but that is because she gave every patient the time they needed, and i never begrudged her for that. Havn't see my new GP yet.

Also it was a locum/new GP that first helped me, i'm indebted to her for helping me like she did.

d123

Leviathan2009 wrote: »

What is everyone's opinion of the GP service? Have recently visited mines I found the doctors to be curt, dismissive, arrogant and lacking in any kind of sensitivity.

I would agree almost completely with this, we had two excellent GP's previously, the one retired and the other went to work for the after hours service and the 4 that replaced the 2 are exactly as you described.

Actually one is even worse, he tends to run between 1 and 2 hours late almost every day and the maximum parking period is 2 hours outside the surgery, the wardens just love the area, they are there 3 or 4 times a day catching all the unsuspecting people waiting for the doctor.

mickbhall

Mixed 1 i use now is great saved my life probaly, The other not so good not listening etc but he has been struck off.

globalds

A bit controversial here ;

But I don't think they are worth it ...Most of the time GP's are just a cog in the system that does not need to be there.

First point of contact could easily be the nurse and then go and see a specialist if it something she can't handle.

Organic12

My GP surgery is bloomin’ brilliant. I can get appointments promptly, they treat me like I have a brain and explain things to me, as well as answer my questions. There are some GPs who are more clued up on things than the others but if it was that urgent, I'd be happy to see any of them and be confident they'd help me out.

The same efficient, helpful, sensible attitude pervades all the staff there, the receptionists and nurses will do all they can to help and listen carefully to you.

Sadly, I have to say the exact opposite for the surgery where I used to live.

GarnetLady

I started going to a new GP in our practice 2 years ago, best thing I ever did. I was misdiagnosed years ago by another GP in the practice, but this one took the time to listen to me, and always takes time at appointments to ask about whatever you went to see him about last. It was through this that he discovered the extent of my illness and referred me on as a priority. I'm now on the correct meds for my condition and basically have my life back.

About the google thing, he uses it as a back up resource and I see nothing wrong with it. GP's are not all seeing or all knowing, and I would rather have one that admits this and has the common sense to use all the resources available to them than the alternative. But he isn't arrogant or dismissive, that's a different problem.

I usually have to wait to see him, but worth it really. I can also phone up and get him to call back and if need be he'll fit me in that day.

the_devil_made_me_do_it

All the GPs at my surgery are not worth seeing. I have no trust in any of them at all. So much so I'm going to switch to another practice as I don't feel I can get worse service than I get already.

Fuzzy_Duck

They're a bit of a mixed bag. One GP is fantastic, but of course I hardly get to see him. One is quite young and has been a bit clueless when I've seen him, but he's perfectly nice. Another is absolutely horrendous- really horrible to his patients. He's very short with everyone, barely looks at you while you're there and doesn't seem to want to help you. When I was younger I had a pierced lip and it got infected. I felt really stupid for having it done but when seeing the fantastic GP he was really nice about it. I had to have my lip cut open and afterwards he told me he saw no reason why I should have to take it out. A little while later my lip was still a bit swollen so I went back, and had to see the nasty GP. He spent the whole appointment telling me what an idiot I was and that he wasn't going to help me as it was my own fault. That said I went at it myself a few times with various sharp instruments to no avail, and today I still have a slight lump where the infection had been.

It wasn't just me either. He's been equally horrible to all my family members who saw him, and I once saw a woman near tears when told she had to see him. She spent a good 5 minutes begging to see anyone but him!

melancholly

OP - do you think it's GPs in general that are rubbish or is it a few bad ones (which makes sense - not everyone in every job is great!)?

(mind you, if they get the power to determine NHS funding, i'll be very nervous. the NHS is so much more than the GP - even if they are the primary contact point - and it doesn't seem sensible to give people with no background or training in finance the power to make important financial decisions!)

jenhug

Mine is wonderful. As are the reception staff.