Level of care is very variable
Some good practice, some poor. GP picked up on risk factors for osteoporosis for me, and referred me for a scan, even though I am relatively young. I am grateful for this. But surgery seems to be stuck in the 1970's in some ways. I rang and asked if my doctor could ring me back when they were next in because short telephone calls can save GP time and appointments. I was asked if I could ring back on the day that the GP was in as the GP didn't like to arrive and get a list of messages. After negotiating this the GP did ring me as arranged and was helpful, it was just a palaver. Not what I would call a progressive practice. Both the Bacton and Mendlesham surgery have loud music from a radio station or the like. Sorry, but it is a doctors surgery not a hairdressers. No thought given to people who maybe noise sensitive (as I am) or simply don't want to listen to what is on. It is not playing quietly in the background but is intrusive. I have mobility problems and not all of the staff help with the heavy doors to the clinic rooms, but sit and watch me struggle. This never happened at my previous surgery. A friend of mine who uses the surgery had high blood pressure when she delivered her last child over 5 years ago. Since then she never had her blood pressure checked when she went to the surgery for routine appointments. Her very high BP was only picked up when she was referred for a minor op. I was astonished. At my previous surgery I couldn't set foot in the place w/o having my BP checked, and I don't have BP problems, it was just always part of the appointment. It is painless, quick, the equipment is there and the results are immediate. On the plus side I very much like that I can book GP appointments online, just a shame the same facility isn't available for nurse appointments. I also like that I can order repeat meds online, and there have never been any problems with this. I get the impression that most of the staff both clinical and clerical are very stuck in their ways - it has a 'normal for Norfolk' feel about it, rather than a surgery delivery care in the 21st Century.