The St Lawrence Surgery

Written by a patient

I cannot praise the surgery enough. I was pleased to be accepted as a patient when my existing surgery did not meet my expectations. I have found the doctors, nurses and receptionists to be exemplary which I have found to be quite unusual when talking to friends who belong to other practices. I suffer from a long term lung condition and receive thorough and helpful reviews of my condition and have an action plan to help manage my condition. I had a health scare last year and Dr English could not have been more supportive as was the case with an acute problem which was efficiently referred for investigation. I always feel actively listened to by my GP and that decision making is shared. I belong to the PPG and am a committee member. The Practice Manager and a GP always attend our meetings and are informative and supportive. When I go to area PPG meetings, most other PPGs are envious of the support we get from St Lawrence surgery. Chris Moon-Willems

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Written by a patient

Words cannot express just how excellent every aspect of St Lawrence Surgery is. From the moment that you arrive, although the car park is small'ish, you only have to wait a few moments to park due to the fast patient attention which in turn, releases a parking space. When you enter the modern, efficient and superbly clean reception area, you are ALWAYS greeted with a smiling, cheerful receptionist that know me and most others by our first names and their welcome and efficiency is first class. The Doctors and Nurses are very friendly and professional and make you feel like a person in need of help (unlike other surgeries that I have to visit with clients during my work as a part time carer/support worker) and you are never hurried or made to feel obliged to leave as some medical professionals do due to time constraints. At this point I would like to offer my appreciation to 2 outstanding Doctors, Dr James Read and Dr Stokes who are always willing and eager to please you AS A PERSON & NOT JUST A PATIENT and do all that they can to resolve your problem, and above all else, they take the time to listen to ALL your concerns. I would also like to express my most sincere thanks to Nurse Karen Jacobs who takes care of my asthma condition with the greatest of compassion and understanding who I cannot praise and commend highly enough. Karen is a perfect example of how a Nurse should interact with a patient. Also, a special thanks to Nurse Sarah Jago who is my ideal Phlebotomist (she knows my veins so well :) and her dual role as Receptionist/Telephonist is faultless due to her inter-personal skills and friendly demeanour. Also, the connection with Tarring Pharmacy is extremely efficient and friendly. For example 'Lucy' calls if there is the slightest concern relating to a prescription thus placing the emphasis on the patient/customer care, so once again, sincere thanks to Nathan and Lucy for their efficiency, professionalism and courtesy. To conclude, St Lawrence Surgery is in my opinion, the flagship model on how a surgery should operate in EVERY way. I am a (very) regular user of all the services provided and I have NEVER experienced a single negative concern during my years as a patient with a great deal of medical problems. From the smile when you walk up to the Receptionist through to the wave goodbye or collection of a prescription, the whole experience is just perfect! Please acknowledge my comments of appreciation to the named staff as their professionalism and efficiency should be recognised and recorded (on their personnel file). Thank you. Leslie Lee Worthing

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Written by a patient

I have always had good service from this practice ever since I was accepted as a . They have always been accessible when needed and have been pro-active in my healthcare by inviting me for regular screening for my medical condition. I have always had a good rapport with any member of staff I have met and have found them to be caring, polite and helpful at all times.

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Written by a patient

Great surgery, well-run, and *amazing* reception staff. My only quibble is that there could be much much more done by way of pro active health prevention, screening, advice, advice/support clinics on specific common issues etc. I had to ask for a health check up and I found that it did not include stuff that other practices do as routine (eg pre-diabetes check, lung capacity / breathing test). I was given a leaflet and readings warning of some health issues but no real follow up or advice on what to do next. I know a friend of mine had same experience. One of us has been told to lower cholesterol but no idea really how (given existing healthy veg-based diet) or why it is so high given the diet. Another told to lose a good lot of weight but no real advice how or support - the 'healthy eating plate' is no good when you already do that (and more, as many of us do nowadays). I realise this is time intensive but an open drop in session on 'cholesterol' or 'weightloss' (among all the other common common over 50 issues) could be great. And neither of us seem to be on a call-back in 3 months list to check if we are managing to do anything to intervene in our health issues. For all the doc knows, we might be munching, smoking, lounging, drinking, our way to worse health :-) I'd love to see more attention paid to helping surgery users monitor and work on health and well-being. Would save the practice money in long run.

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Written by a patient

Second time in a row I have been unable to get an appointment at the surgery. The first time I was told there was no one that would be able to help me with my problem and I wasn't given any assistance as to who or where I should contact. The second time i successfully managed to make an appointment only to be called 5 minutes later to be told the receptionist that took my call managed to mess it up in the space of 5 minutes and gave the appointment to someone else. Really feel like you don't matter to the surgery unless you're an old person on a mother of a young child. Anything else and you're shoved to the bottom of the pile to fend for yourself it's ridiculous.

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