The Florence Road Surgery 2015-02-21 Person 1 5 0

You have to speak with a GP over the phone prior to booking an appointment at this surgery. This is very frustrating - I work full-time, am regularly in meetings and often cannot take personal calls during office hours (especially when the surgery receptionist is unable to give any indication of what time the GP will call at). After missing a GP's call due to e.g. being busy at work, you return the call, get told by the receptionist that the GP is not available to speak with you and you will be added to the end of the call-back queue for that day. I understand the need to speak with a GP first if you are requesting a same day / urgent appointment - however for non-urgent appointments this requirement is - in my opinion - unnecessary and causes great problems for workers who cannot easily take calls during office hours. If the surgery wants to insist on this process, GPs should be available to speak with patients over the phone early morning, late night and on Saturdays - and the reception should be able to confirm e.g. a 30 minute window during which the GP will call. Additionally, the Florence Road reception is tiny - it is impossible to have a private conversation with a receptionist without patients in the waiting area hearing every single word. Bramley Road (sister surgery) has a bigger space between the reception and waiting area and is therefore a better option for sensitive / private discussions.