Reviews
I have been with this surgery for around forty years, I have always found them kind and helpful. I am aware of how the pressure on all of us has developed over the years, too many people and not enough Docters and nurses nationwide. However in my experience they have always made an effort to help people.
I am all for the telephone consultations, if you are ill why would you want to travel to the surgery and sit in the waiting room with lots of ill people? I find them very good.
I have never been unable to get an appointment, though face to face are a bit more difficult to arrange. I am grateful for all the help, care and medication I have received over the years from many of the Docters at this Practice.
Suffering from TMJ pain over the weekend, went to dentist first as easier to get there. Dentist told me what I needed from GP. Gold Street did not understand me- sent me to pharmacy, then next day said they'd call me- no call. Next day, given appointment. Locum doctor did not understand my illness, she struggled to find a prescription but found one. Once I'd paid for the prescription, same doctor calls me to say don't take it. But no alternative offered & I lost trust in the doctor.
I was trying to get an appointment to see a GP ref cancer checks and was told this was not possible and i had to go home and do this request online. this proved to be difficult as the website also made this awkward and i am still not sure i have done it right.
Bearing in mind the current pressures on the NHS and Gp surgeries, I feel that Gold Street surgery Saffron Walden is still somewhat lacking in their ability to manage their patients appointments. Having had my appointment cancelled due to the Gp being ill, I was informed that I would have to call at 8am to rearrange an appointment. Having tried 2 mornings to do this, with no success, the receptionist was keen to end my call by asking me to try again next week. Even though the practice have a duty of care to provide me with an alternative appointment, it was clear that I wasn't relevant to them. There was no empathy or even any attempt made to be understanding of my situation even when I highlighted the facts, that their text message clearly stated they would strive to rearrange the appointment. This is a frequent scenario I encounter when speaking to their receptionists. It is also ironic that the Practice is keen to declare that they are welcoming new patients to sign up to the practice, when it is obvious to any existing patient that they cannot honour even simple courtesies like rearranging appointments. Extremely disappointing overall when it comes to their appointment staff.
The service Geeta has given me from our 1st meeting in School St to the follow up calls was exceptional- on time, listening and actioned as required. My thanks for superb professionalism.
Resources
Short link to review Gold Street Surgery: http://iwgc.net/eb8ki