Alfriston Surgery

Written by a patient

Really drives me mad seeing people complaining all the time about doctors. Atleast you got an appointment! And have been seen too!! I see dr turner up at alfriston when I need too and she is extremely helpful. She listens. She's helpful! And makes you feel like nothing is too much trouble. The receptionists I have dealt with have always been very helpful and polite. I've got no complaints :)

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Written by a patient

I am extremely saddened and disappointed with my last visit to see my GP, Doctor Francis Nicholls. Not only was his tone patronising, he became very argumentative with my simple request: I wanted to be referred to a specialist. As a sufferer of deep endometriosis, it is my right to asked to be referred to one, and all he did was question this decision, placing doubt when I informed him of the dissatisfying treatment I was getting at Eastbourne hospital, where my post-op appointment took months to happen due to hospital rescheduling. I pleaded, and even begged to Doctor Nicholls to help me out, acknowledging the hard times the NHS was going through, but having to insist I needed his assistance in getting treatment that would improve my quality of life. He wasn't interested in hearing the symptoms I was suffering, even told me to "get pregnant" as a treatment for the disease, when, due to my endometriosis, fertility is something I don't have. I still cannot believe he offered “pregnancy” as a treatment, as medicine. Pregnancy only puts endometriosis symptoms on hold, they come back after a woman stops breastfeeding. The “cure” for this disease doesn’t exist, and pregnancy is not a cure. His patronising remarks insisting I honoured my subsequent appointments at Eastbourne hospital were also upsetting: as a 37 year old woman I am aware of how necessary those slots are for people who need them, and I had to re-assure him I would behave in an acceptable manner and cancel them if I didn’t need to go. It was really upsetting to see my GP roll his eyes and tell me that the referral would very likely amount to nothing. If there’s nothing he could do, I could have done with feeling listened to. Doctor Nicholls failed at making me feel I was in safe hands, he failed at offering me support, he failed at trying to understand what living with endometriosis really is.

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Written by a patient

Alfriston Surgery is great because it is small and everybody is friendly. Yesterday I was greeted with a lovely smile by the receptionist when I checked in for my 9.45 appointment. She wasn't able to locate the appointment immediately and it turned out I should have been there at 9.15. My mistake entirely as I had misread the time on the calendar! However, she was able to fit me in for 11.00 which was great. Dr. Nicholls then not only dealt with the reason I came for; but gave me my flu jab; checked my blood pressure and arranged for an appointment to be made for a blood test. This way time is saved for everybody. Ease of appointments: No problem this time; on some occasions it has been difficult to ring in as there is only one line and at certain times many people try to telephone at the same time.

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Written by a patient

I had to go to the Alfriston surgery today for an emergency. I didn't have an appointment but the entire team were amazing and helped me out immediately.The nurse made me feel so much better being extremely helpful and listening to me, the doctor made himself available very quickly too...I simply couldn't thank them enough. I am very fortunate to have the Alfriston clinic as my local surgery.

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Written by a carer

In a difficult couple of weeks with two very poorly children I have been able to get last minute appointments when really needed. The receptionists were accomodating and the doctors I dealt with were excellent, in particular Dr Bayles and Dr Dr Heinrich Van Wyk - sympathetic, professional and thorough. Thank you! - we are lucky to have such an excellent service in the area.

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