What to look for in a new GP surgery?

Tigsteroonie

I think you'll find that different people want very different things in a GP's surgery depending on their health situation None of us have any 'chronic' problems so we see the GP rarely. For me, it's important to be able to contact the surgery easily (mine has no letterbox, no email, and a chronic press-1-for-this isystem) so I'd like online appointments and online repeat prescriptions. But none of my local surgeries offer this :mad:

Indie_Kid

VfM4meplse wrote: »

If it's because your expectations are unrealistic, then changing practice won't help.

My expectations are realistic. I have a pretty serious and rare medical condition and every GP has decided that because there's nothing changed on the MRI scan from 2 years ago, there's nothing wrong.:mad:

I was told this week I also have hayfever. My only symptom is a blocked nose - I've had this since starting the new medication, which was January.

And then there's the refusal to refer me even though "we're running out of options".:mad:

I have since worked out that part of the problem (I sort of remember this being mentioned some months ago) is medication induced headaches.

I've looked at a few GP surgeries and all have online repeat prescriptions and appointments can be booked. Won't be registering at one because of the opening hours, which leaves me with two, possibly three options.

wannabeslim

One where they don't prescribe methadone, mine has notices up to say they don't do this, online access and an open session (trialling in mine atm and working well I believe), word of mouth recommendations are also useful.

t0rt0ise

Just sign up and try them and if you don't like it move on. I tried three practices before finding the one where the doctors are very supportive. I'm not a difficult patient but have a chronic immune deficiency so need a doctor who understands the difference between a patient making a fuss and one needing antibiotics in a hurry.

VfM4meplse

wannabeslim wrote: »

One where they don't prescribe methadone, mine has notices up to say they don't do this

I think this is a deterrent to discourage chancers and at least give the impression of a safe environment. Most GPs don't do this, they will leave it to specialist community drug and alcohol services.

But you can bet your bottom dollar that there are users / addicts on their list, they will treat them as any other patient. It's just that they won't be managing that particular aspect of their patients' care.