Doctors /gp

[Ris2011]

Hi there

I am moving back to East Dulwich from aboard and am looking for a gp. My son has a medical problem which requires me to attend doctors appointments often. When last in ED we were with Dulwich medical centre on crystal palace road- I found them very hard to get appointments with and never saw the same gp. Is it possible to find a GP In the area where I can get an appointment and see the same GP the majority of the time? I currently have a great relationship with my GP and he is always happy to squeeze us in... Also is there any private clinics in SE London which offers a GP and other services (X-rays ect). Please correct me but it seems from previous threads ED lacks a doctors practice where you get reliable service and can develop a relationship with your GP.

[Saffron]

We were with Forest Hill Road Group Practice ~5 yrs ago. I'm sorry to say they were awful, and nothing I've read or heard about them since leads me to think there have been phenomenal improvements (though I'm happy to stand corrected).

Are you definitely moving to ED, or are you considering surrounding areas also? The catchment for GPs in some areas can be fairly narrow and also oversubscribed. So you might find more options on ED borders.

The Hilly Fields Medical Centre on Adelaide Ave in SE4 (Brockley/Ladywell) is an excellent group. We've had some wonderful GPs there, who've been very good at working in tandem with a private specialist that I saw in central London.

This also puts us in the catchment for Lewisham Hospital which has excellent facilities. This may be another consideration for you, if you think you will require specialist referral services within a hospital settings.

If you're definitely moving into ED, maybe Forumites can advise further on local GPs.

Good luck with your move. xx

[Growlybear]

I've been with Forest Hill Road Group Practice for 40 years now, and have always found the practice to be superb. Since being diagnosed with a very serious illness five years ago, the treatment I've had has been absolutely brilliant. So far, I've never been unable to get a same day appointment with the duty doctor if I've needed it, but have also been able to develop a good relationship with my GP of choice, although you often need to book ahead by a couple of weeks to see her. Over my time at the practice, I've always been able to get referrals to the hospital of my choice, and everyone has always bent over backwards to help me in recent years. I feel very fortunate to be in their catchment area.