Awful for mental health
(This review will mention aspects of bad mental health please be forwarned) I have been diagnosed with severe depression and anxiety for over 6 years, after moving to Bury St Edmunds I needed to find a GP in order to have antidepressants and anti-anxiety meds re-prescribed for the UK. The receptionists are some of the most gruff people I've ever had the misfortune to interact with - especially when in such a fragile state. They are borderline mocking with their intensive questioning, tell you off for crying, cut you off midsentence and I have had the phone hung up on me countless times (if they even answer). And that's before you even get to your doctor. When the Dr was informed of my suicidal ideation and dehabilitating panic attacks by the mental health nurse and myself they were patronising, cold and tried to downplay my incredibly dangerous symptoms to "a little down and a little worried". I did not receive the urgency of care I needed at that point and I dread to think what could have happened to me had I not been living with kinder people. Anyone who has had experience with mental health issues either personally or with people they love understand how hard it can be on a day to day basis, doctors should be understanding and compassionate rather than unkind and difficult. I was recommended for a referral to a mental health team and had to chase up my referral 3 times. A nurse specifically placed my details, forms and personal statements on their desk, yet I was told to rewrite everything over a month later (after no communication from anyone at the surgery) because they had 'lost' the documents and needed new ones to refer me. This is a concerning amount of time for someone at a crisis point. I know my mental health is not taken seriously and the gps have an alarming amount of ignorance around mental health issues.