Little Common Surgery

Little Common Surgery 2024-08-14 Person 4 5 0

I was phoned for an appt by the reception team immediately after having a consultation with the Dr on the phone. The appt was the very next morning. The person taking my blood was professional and friendly. Results were in my NHS app 5 hours later. I couldn't have asked for more.

Nothing

Little Common Surgery 2024-08-13 Person 4 5 0

It is all but impossible to get an appointment when phoning for one I want. The phone lines are always very busy and the wait for the call to be answered when they ring is very long. IF there are ever any appointments they are, ridiculously enough, always by phone initially no matter what the problem is, even when quite clearly a physical examination will be essential (eg my last 2 issues have been suspected prolapse and new, itchy mole appearing) - and where an initial phone appointment is offered it is usually several days - weeks in some cases - later. The physical appointment is sometimes offered quickly thereafter. However, if my GP is not available, I have to really push to be given an alternative appointment - especially if I have to keep reiterating that I start work at 8am, so cannot keep phoning back on successive days to try to book something with somebody. Conversely, when the surgery wants to see me - eg for blood sample this week, multiple reminder messages are sent, with no way to simply acknowledge the first one! Although every practioner I have seen within the last couple of years has been very professional and good at their job, the actual getting to see them has been an off-putting experience.

Answer the phones more promptly Offer an appointment without me having to all but beg for one Offer an alternative doctor if mine is away for a few weeks and "hasn't released his calendar for the following month yet" (!) - but do so as a matter of course, not because I've begged for it! Accept that not everyone can fit in with the phoning at 8am on successive days - we've all got work, not just the surgery staff!

Little Common Surgery 2024-08-13 Person 3 5 0

Long telephone cues. Apps on phone. Hard to communicate join dots with my other healthcare provider at UCLH

Clearly poor nurse was under duress or used to having to rush. In waiting room a poor old man described his frustration and angst as had booked online 3 times and each time the surgery had failed to log it and upon his arrival he was turned away:( Today he meant to get his long awaited bloodtest by hook or crook. After listening to him I was then called to have bloods, last time I came the nurse forgot yo take a sample and I had to endure another needle and find more time. This time the nurse was lovely, as always, but after inserting needle, as we talked she was looking at my records because I had asked a question and not watching the attachment of the plunger..this meant it wiggled the needle all around in my vein as not inserting smoothly whilst concentrating. Due to this I bled a lot after the test and am v bruised. Now I dont want to complsin as she was lovely and is usually v good, but I feel it should be mentioned that regardless how pressured you may feel..it would be better to say to people I will finish conversation after this and for the nurse to concentrate undistractedly on the fact a sharp inplement is in a fragile vein. It was painful and the after effects werent good. I understand bloodtests are a frequent practice, and all nhs staff are under duress, but these things are very important and if losing compassion or care due to pressure something needs to change. Both I and the old man I mentioned are already unwell, this stuff only exacerbates it. Maybe phlebotomists in general, need to be reminded to really take care as having more needles than is necessary due to forgetfulness or confusion and then wiggling a needle around needlessly as talking or rushing or distracted is most disturbing for both the body and the psyche. Thank you for taking note. Again I will underline the nurses are usually great, but being quiet during the taking of blood shld be protocol. Ive had a multitude of blood tests in my life and quiet, concentrated, caring and steady is always better.

Little Common Surgery 2024-08-13 Person 3 5 0

Receptionist very surly and monosyllabic and reluctant to help.

Waiting room was roasting hot, wall fan was not on.

Little Common Surgery 2024-08-13 Person 4 5 0

The phlebotomotist was really efficient, professional and helpful, thank you

Some of the receptionists are not helpful or patient