Forest Hill Road GP - better alternative please

[malumbu]

They've been pretty good in my experience in recent times.  Going on eConsult at 8 is better than phoning at 8, and this triage system seems to make sense.  I've got my own gripes over the years, but I expect most surgeries have similar issues and pressures are only likely to increase with the ageing population and the funding issues across the whole public sector.

I had a medical issue a couple of years ago which worried me and I phoned in the afternoon, a doctor called back, and after continuing worries the next week sent me down to Tommies A&E as he considered this an emergency.

[Jenijenjen]

I think there may be a glitch in the tech sometimes. I received a text out of the blue from them a couple of months ago which made no sense but I complied and embarked on a series of actions that led nowhere and had no conclusion. 

I find the reception staff mainly very helpful and polite and one or two have certainly bent over backwards to help though I'm sure many people find otherwise.

[Penguin68]

I had to go into FHRGP today to arrange an appointment - I had been asked to attend (by text) a routine (but face-to-face) medication review, with a link to booking, but there were no appointments available- of course. The staff there (the surgery was, of course completely empty for after 10.00 o'clock on a weekday) were, in the end, very helpful, but both were new (to me) and one was clearly very new as her colleague was taking her through the IT system very carefully. So, if you do come across slow and struggling staff, be aware that they are new and in-training and cut them some slack. If they are recruiting front-office staff - that's a good thing, and on the job training is fine. [The first available appointment was in 22 days time - but it wasn't urgent!]

Edited March 18 by Penguin68
Typo

[jazzer]

Totally agree. The newbie I spoke to and met on reception was so nice, kind, helpful, thoughtful, it was a pleasure to deal with her. Thought I wasn't at FHRGP, but somewhere else.

However "some" of the old guard are still holding out, being as difficult, belligerent  and unhelpful as ever as the "gate keepers", its a shame they can't appreciate that we are patients who are responding to their initial contact made out of the blue by the surgery. i.e. being told they "wanted" me to have a blood test without a coherent explanation as to why. Wouldn't mind if it had been as a result of a consultation, but when it comes out of the blue and the receptionist fails to introduce herself properly, I become somewhat suspicious. 

The pre-booked blood test appointment system at the Tessa Jowell Centre has bedded in and runs well on the last tow attendances, well done to them.  Virtually no queues, lovely staff so all good.   

 

[malumbu]

Funnily enough went there to order a prescription an hour ago, gent at reception helpful, polite and said it would be over the road at Day Lewis by end of the day. 

Bigger issue was someone chatting to me, and I just couldn't remember how I knew them.  Think I've worked it out 🙂