Tillmouth Park Road
Throckley
Newcastle uponTyne
NE15 9PA
Tel: 0191 - 264 1014
Fax: 0191 - 210 6702
Friends And Family Test
Results September 2016
In December 2014 GP Surgeries had to offer the Friends and Family Test Questionnaire to all patients and have to report the results each month.
These are the results of questionnaires received at the surgery during September 2016.
The Practice received 3 completed questionnaires.
Patient Demographics
Not all patients completed the demographics section of the questionnaire.
Patient Comments
I have recently contacted the surgery to obtain contraceptives (the pill), which I have been on for some time now. In the initial telephone call, made on a Thursday, i was advised by the receptionist that I would need to see a nurse, which is fine, however i was offered a choice of 2 cancellation appointments - one the same day at around 3pm and another the following day at 4.30pm. I was told that if I did not take either of the appointments then the next available one was the following Friday at 12pm or 2pm. I explained to the receptionist that I work Monday to Friday 8am-6pm and that an appointment as early or as late as possible in the day would be preferable as I am unable to take a substantial amount of time off from work to attend appointments. The receptionist then told me that I should have called earlier than I had in order to make the appointment and that the nurse I would have to see only works 9am-5pm and due to the demand of the appointments, I would be unable to get a late one for some time. I asked the receptionist whether there was any alternative, even a short-term solution due to an upcoming holiday, and explained that there is no way I could attend any of the appointments offered due to the current situation at my place of work, however I was told that I would have to take one of these as there are no alternative arrangements that can be made. As a result of this, and due to the lack of flexibility shown by reception staff, I no longer have my contraception. I fully understand that it is necessary for me to have an in-person appointment to obtain contraception due to the requirement of checks on blood pressure and weight, I also fully understand that GPs have more pressing matters to deal with and that their time is not well-spent doing pill-checks. What I cannot understand is why I am penalised for having a full time job that I cannot drop at an hour's notice (or 2 in this case). It also worries me that the surgery would prefer a patient to go without their prescription rather than attempt to offer an alternative solution to the issue.
GP COMMENT: Can this patient please contact the Practice so we can investigate and reply to you in person. Thank you.
Telephone answering service is simple and clear. Introduction of initial assessment by phone from doctor is excellent. The staff in general are pleasant, polite and give impression of wanting to help.
GP COMENT: Thank you
Lovely Practice
GP COMENT: Thank you
Partners: DrDN Grainger, Dr BM Joughin, Dr DW Jones, Dr V Blaylock, Dr H Forbes
Practice Manager: Mrs M Bottomley