Needham Market Country Practice
Feedback Rating
Based on 340 reviews
Reviews (340)
Reviews overdue
March 21, 2023
I keep giving up on the telephone as it takes so long. No 30 in the queue. Cannot use online as it is always closed. I am due for some reviews that are now overdue by 3 years. I understand the loss of time due to Covid, but now it has got ridiculous. They have not contacted me, like they used to, to tell me I am due. As a very elderly person with some difficulties, so this is just very challenging and frustrating situation. These reviews are in place for a reason, and so it is worrying that they go by the wayside.
difficult to contact the surgery
March 6, 2023
It's just hard to contact the surgery and when I have got through I've been told to call back the next day as there are no appointments available. Once I've been able to see someone the staff have been brilliant but it is very hard at the moment.
3/4 hr on phone
March 6, 2023
I recently spent 3/4hr on the phone waiting to speak to reception. The ongoing issues make it very difficult to get to see anyone but it's not surprising when they've lost so many staff. It's all just very difficult, getting through and then getting seen.
Cost of calling is a concern
March 6, 2023
The cost of calling the surgery is a concern as you can be on the line so long waiting to get through. It is then hard to see a doctor, I used to be able to see my own GP but not anymore. I don't feel my regular reviews are taking place when they should and when I have asked to see someone, I've reluctantly been given an appointment with a nurse. Getting a blood test here is difficult and the cost of getting transport in to Ipswich is very difficult especially as I was having to go regularly.
Lack of appointments
March 6, 2023
When I've called the surgery it can be a long wait on the phone and when you get through you can be told to call back the next day when there are no appointments left. I asked a doctor for help around my wellbeing and was told I could've found the service I needed myself but I didn't know where to go or who to trust. There are also a lack of blood test appointments available which means I have to go up to Landseer Road which is both costly and difficult to arrange.
Takes time to get prescriptions
March 6, 2023
Now told it is 5 working days to get a prescription but I put my request in before I went away on holiday and I've come back and although I need the medication it's still not been done. The call backs by doctors are quick and I've been able to get appointments okay but it does all feel a lot more remote than it used to be.
calls
March 6, 2023
When I called recently on a Monday morning I was told that they don't take calls on Monday's so not sure what you do if you're ill on a Monday. I've been trying to get an appointment but nothing is face to face any more. I had a visit from a doctor, not from the surgery and they were very good.
Home visits hard to get
March 6, 2023
I joined the practice over two years ago and I've not seen a doctor in all that time and my medication hasn't been reviewed. I've also had problems getting a home visit.
Frustrating trying to get help
November 24, 2022
For the last month I have been trying to get a proper conversation with someone who knows more specifically about my condition. I was told by reception that I can speak to anyone of the GP's, however they give you no specific guidance. I was told that I needed repeat bloods which are not accurate for my condition I wanted input on, but as last ones had shown low Iron levels they wanted that checked. However, this was not seen urgent enough to get a test done that week at the surgery (needs to be put through as 'urgent') so in the meantime I had to be signed off work as I am unable to function well. They did not talk to me about that, they just sent an email with the sick note attached! Now the bloods have been done a prescription, again with no conversation was put through. It was good that is was done very quickly, but as I am taking other supplements to try help myself, I would have liked a phone call. I went to put an E-Consult in on the day the prescription was sent at 8:05 to me to ask for this conversation, but E-consult was switched off already. Every day this week E-consult has been off when I have looked to try use it at 8;00. They say to use E-consult so not to add pressure to the phones, but it is not even on!
I have now spoken to 4 different GP's about this issue (I say spoken, I mean I had 1 'out of hours', 1 call a few days later, 1 who issued the sick note (not chat) and one who issued the prescription (no chat)).
The frustration is that I want to sort this so I can be at work and functioning better in daily life. One conversation with someone who knows about things better is all I would like, but it just seems to be the hardest thing to get.
I have now spoken to 4 different GP's about this issue (I say spoken, I mean I had 1 'out of hours', 1 call a few days later, 1 who issued the sick note (not chat) and one who issued the prescription (no chat)).
The frustration is that I want to sort this so I can be at work and functioning better in daily life. One conversation with someone who knows about things better is all I would like, but it just seems to be the hardest thing to get.
I feel safely cared for, thanks all.
November 10, 2022
Amidst stressful times for the practice, I’ve found all staff to be kind & courteous. The care I’ve received has been thorough and the team experienced, knowledgeable and compassionate. Appreciated.
