Queensbridge Group Practice

I have seen a few different GP’s there in the past. However, the Nurse and the Receptionists seem to be the the only staff trying to do their job properly. Each time when I had an appointment, I waited almost 30 minutes or even one hour to be seen by a GP, although the waiting room was not full at all. I believe that some patients are allowed to be seen much longer than 10 minutes each, while I was out within 6 or 8 minutes. One issue for one appointment (10 mins.); if you have more than one issues to raise, you need to book more than one appointments, even if for example two issues can be easily dealt with within 10 mins. Also, results have been forgotten to communicate to me although the Receptionist put a request to the GP via computer. This meant I had to call the Receptionist again the following day to say that the GP still did not contact me to discuss the results. The only GP I saw there a long time ago who was really good was a Locum. Despite the nice building, I think the GP’s who work there permanently should try to work more efficiently.

«Hello I’d like to see a doctor»
«I’m sorry, there are no appointments for today, but we can get a doctor to call you back to assess how urgent it is?».
One hour later
«Hi, yes, I collapsed on my bicycle, spent a night in hospital and have got a thumping headache. Any chance you could see me?»
«When are you free?».
Apart from always finding an appointment for me when I need one, they have before work and late slots to fit around your job and the building’s quite nice too.

I’ve been going to this practice for years. In fact when I first went they were located in an old house actually on Queensbridge Road. Now they have a purpose built building on Holly Street. It’s a lovely building. The waiting room is spacious and has a kids play area and a toilet. Over the years I’ve seen several of the female doctors (though not their token male!) and found them all good. They always seem to know their stuff but I also feel I’m in control. For instance when I got a bad back I was asked if I wanted painkillers or a visit to the physio. They have a nurse for stuff like taking stitches out, and the doctors do phone surgeries, where they phone you at home, if you have a problem that doesn’t need an examination or need to just talk about results. You do have to wait a bit sometimes, but I think you get that at any practice. I’m glad I registered with them when I did, as it’s now hard to get in. In spite of having about five doctors, their catchment area is now only a couple of blocks! I think that shows what a good reputation they have.