Needham Market Country Practice

I dont know who my doctor actually is, I don't get any consistency with doctors, and I think that is important. They will not do my blood tests at the surgery anymore they ask me to travel all the way over to Landseer Road in Ipswich for that from Somersham, thats just too far. I must mention that the nurses are lovely at this surgery.

Been here for years and of late I just never see a GP.
It is very frustrating that I cannot get bloods done here and have to go to the hospital on a regular basis. They have said it is because they find it hard to get a vein, but the hospital manage find.

After ringing 111 in the morning (surgery open but thought we may need A&E), 111 told me to call the surgery to get my child in there within 2 hours. They said they had sent the notes through. I was 30 in the queue mid-morning and it took about 50 mins to get down to being spoken to, only to be asked the same things and then told I would get a call back, when they had the notes from 111 already. Anyway, they rang back with an appointment asking if we could be there in 15 mins time, which we could. We were slightly early but we ended up being seen 40 minutes after the appointment time. With my ADHD/ASD child this was a bit challenging and you are not told this when you check in either. They did sort the issue out and we had antibiotics. I do feel the Nurse we saw did not seem to understand ASD/ADHD. I should have asked if this is at the front on my childs record. I did not raise it but wish I had.

Always been brilliant and we're seen quickly and easily for children and adults. I received a call back at 9.15 and have then come in for an appointment this morning after submitting an econsult first thing. I find the system easy to use and much easier than calling the surgery. The staff are lovely, reception are very accomodating, I think they are all doing an amazing job. I've heard of negative issue but never experienced it.

I have been 17th in the queue and waited 3/4 hour but today I waited just 10 mins and spoke to a lovely receptionist who was helpful after that I had a call back in 10 mins for a face to face appointmetn. The Paramedic I've seen has been very nice and so thorough. I feel it has improved recently. The only issue is that econsult asks a lot of questions.

I find the best way is to use econsult as the phones are very busy. I would prefer to have more continuity as it helps with the care provided. At times the reception staff can be a little short and I find it difficult to get across what the issues are. It's definitely harder if you don't use online services, I've been cut off twice when low down in the phone queue and had to rejoin which was really frustrating after waiting so long.

I called this morning and got through quickly and then had a call back and follow up appointment in quick succession. The reception staff were helpful and polite and the doctors and nurses have always been very good. It can be tricky with follow up calls as its not always clear what has been done. Each time I've tried to use econsult it has been closed, even first thing and the questions do not always seem relevant.

I was 19th in the queue this morning and spent 40 mins waiting to get through, however within 40 mins I had received a call from the doctor which was great. I don't get to see my own GP anymore but not an issue as concerns are addressed. I have seen 5 different members of staff trying to this one issue sorted. Each has tried different things so although it can feel a bit drawn out when they have different ideas I suppose things need to be eliminated. I understand that things are difficult at the moment but staff do their best.

I do find that when calling the staff can be a bit rude and abrupt at times and were initially dismissive of my concerns but I did get an appointment after a second call. I like econsult to use but most of the time it's switched off early in the morning so can't be used. It's much better than calling the surgery as the phones are so busy. It has been difficult to get actual appointment and I have been cut off when I got down to first in the queue which is frustrating after being queued so long. I've then had difficulties in my appointment being understood and understanding what should happen next and now I've had another appointment arranged for me because of the confusion.

I have to have a yearly blood test and I was sent a text to book the appointment and I arranged the appointment easily. The phones are busy and getting through is the main issue at the surgery. I would prefer to be able to book appointments in advance for non urgent issues rather than having to do it all on the day. The cost of calling the surgery on a pay as you go mobile is very expensive and then getting to the surgery, which can't be planned at times is also very costly when you don't drive.