Needham Market Country Practice

This is the first time in a while that I've actually got an in person appointment as they have asked me to come in to discuss things further as most issues are dealt with by phone. Its frustrating that you can't come in to the surgery to book appointments. Staff are very good and the reception staff are lovely and helpful. I've felt well listened to by the doctors I've seen and they've had time to explain things well. At times it can feel like you go round in circles with some of the doctors but this morning I was well listened to. There have been occasions when I've been asked to call back the next day when there are no appointments available.

It's good at the moment and has improved. When I used econsult I had a call back in 3 hours where as previously it was days. I prefer econsult to calling the surgery as it means you don;t have to wait on the phone to get through to reception. The messages with doctors or the chats with nurses have worked well and have addressed issues. Staff are good and are doing all they can considering the situation.

I've had no problems getting appointments when I call in. If you call on a monday morning it will be busy but you have to be sensible about it. It would be sensible to be able to do an econsult submission for under 5's as there are times when an appointment isn't needed and econsult would be useful to use. The children are seen straight away and the doctors, nurses and especially the paramedic have been wonderful with them.

The service provided has been very good. We're relatively new patients but we've never had an issue since joining the surgery. The reception team are really helpful and friendly and I've not had a problem getting appointments or speaking to someone even when we've been 30th in the queue on the phone. My husband can't see well so I visit with him to take him to the consultation room, I'm sure staff would help if I wasn't here.

After going for a scan that I got really fast after a referral (within 3 days), the service said that if I do not hear from surgery ring them & suggested 7 days max. I rang is E-Consult was already switched off and not fit for this purpose of asking for follow up. Reception were pretty good and kind and said they could see my scan results were in. I did ask if I could speak to same GP that had done the referral. They booked me a ringback for 2 days time as that was the next day this GP was in.
GP told me my scan results and stated I needed another referral for further investigation. They literally said to me 'did you not know you had.......' Er no. Sorry, but how do they expect me to know when it is them that referred me to investigate in first place. It bothered me that I had to chase them for this, and it needed 'action'. I therefore wonder how proactive they really are and if I had not chased them, would it have gone on and got worse.
I also do not understand how this was not picked up only a few months ago when I had a similar referral. They had said something small was there, but 'nothing to worry about.' Yet in a few months here we are! Why was that small thing not looked at then? I am trying to process this and worried and do not have a huge amount of confidence in my surgery for the potential ongoing treatment I may need.

I know for a lot of us econsult doesn't always work but … completed one at 8 am for my father, phone call offering him an appointment by 9 ! Couldn’t do that day, I was offered one the next day.
On arrival, reception staff extremely helpful. Locum (I believe) doctor very thorough, multiple tests and referrals arranged. Back to the reception, get ICE forms printed, 3 ladies were helping us out. Called on Friday for test results, took few minutes to wait on the phone. I was given the results and the receptionist even remembered us from Wednesday.
Working in GP surgery myself , this was an amazing experience, and we are both very grateful for all your help ! Keep up the good work !

I submitted an E-Consult first thing and got a ring back about 4pm. This is now the 6th person I have spoken to about the same thing in the last few months. This was another locum and I had to repeat everything again that had happened so far.
I would say the questioning was more thorough and I felt more informed about my choices. I had not had that before and chosen medication that now I was told to stop immediately due to the new side affects. The GP warned me of how this could affect me in next few days. They put a referral through and made it clear what to do next in what order.

It is difficult to get to see a GP as most issues are dealt with over the phone which I understand is done more now and does work in a lot of circumstances but its not for everyone or all issues.

I called at 08:30, number 19 in the queue. I had to wait 1 hour 56 minutes to get through. You cannot send a message to the surgery because the online option has been permanently turned off. There is no ask my GP service. You cannot go into the surgery to make appointments. The waiting room is deserted. The staff are kind though, it is just a shame that this service has not been given the support it deserves.

As the online system is not open at 8 am when I could put in an E-Consult, I try and ring at 8:30am but I have the school run and have to drive. I have 10 minutes window. It is rare that I can get through before I leave the house, so have to hang up. I try again when I come back and by the time I do they say all appointments for that day have gone and to try again the next day. It's ridiculous. They need to have E-Consult open as it just feels like there are so many barriers to getting access to someone to help.