Westgate Surgery Kent
60 Westgate Bay Avenue, Westgate-on-Sea, Kent, England, CT8 8SN Also known as: Westgate Surgery , Westgate on Sea Surgery
333
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Appointment
Westgate Surgery Kent
2014-11-18
Person
2
5
0
Written by a patient
Written by a patient 18th November 2014
I should start by saying (1) the receptionists are excellent, as are the nurses and (2) this is based on my one experience of seeing a doctor.
I was frankly surpised and disappointed by the attitude of the doctor I saw. I lived in London previously, where my doctor was excellent as were the others at the practice - enthusiastic, interested in the latest developments in healthcare, very good at listening and with numerous other skills. The doctor I saw at Westgate was off-hand and disinterested. He lacked empathy and didn't seem concerned with the problem I presented with. Quite frankly he put me off going back. He didn't seem to have any enthusiasm for his job or concern about his patients. There was a sense that patients needed to know their place, not to be treated as an equal / as an adult.
This struck me as an incredibly old-fashioned attitude more suited to a surgery in the 1950's than the early years of the 21st century. I 'get' that you have an elderly demographic, but today people (I feel) are looking for acceptance, understanding, interest and empathy. Remember that people have the facilities nowadays to research medical conditions and share experiences with their peers. This isn't the old hierarchical society of 50 years ago. Remember also that healthcare has been infused with the values of evidence-based practice and reflective models of working. I got no sense that this surgery was up-to-date with this patient-centred model of working.
This is, of course, my personal opinion. But I see Westgate changing with an increasingly diverse and younger demographic. I'd like to see the surgery change to reflect this.
Please note, I have no idea of the date of my last appointment.
30th January 2015
Response from Westgate Surgery Kent
We are really sorry that this was the impression that the doctor gave you on this occasion. The doctors sometimes have difficult days which may affect their consultations but they would not want you to feel like this and they hope it is an isolated incident. I hope that the next occasion will be a better experience but if you have any further problems please contact me and let me know which doctor it was so that I can make them aware of the feedback With many thanks for the positive comments about the nurses and reception Nicky Macdougald Practice Manager
Westgate Surgery Kent
2014-11-18
Person
1
5
0
Written by a patient
Written by a patient 18th November 2014
Doctors good WHEN you get to see them. Almost impossible to get an appointment when you really need one yet strangely you see the same people going in almost daily. Receptionists are rude, asking you why you need to see a doctor and what the problem is. Nothing to do with them, they are not medically trained and do not need to know why you need to see your GP. One particular receptionist was overheard being extremely rude about one patient. I only go when its really necessary and even then its like the prescription is almost written out ready and before you sit down its passed over. Have been at this surgery since i was born and unfortunately its lost its customer/patient care that was always so prevalent.
30th January 2015
Response from Westgate Surgery Kent
We are really sorry that you have had difficulty getting an appointment and for the delay in responding to this feedback. If you contact us in the morning for urgent problems you will either be offered an appointment with your doctor or a telephone consultation with them if all appointments have been taken so that your doctor can decide with you if they need to see you that day. We have appointments to book in advance for non urgent problems and are usually booking for the following day or occasionally a few days ahead if it has been a busy period. The receptionists sometimes ask what the problem is particularly if booking telephone consultations, this helps the doctors manage their work and sometimes they will ask for patients to be contacted to come into the surgery if they do not think they can deal with the problem over the phone. We have a duty doctor each afternoon for problems that cannot wait until the morning when your own doctor is available. We recognise that it can be difficult to know how best to use the different types of appointments which we offer and have written a leaflet with our patient group about the types of appointments offered which you can see on our website and also collect a copy at reception We do try and meet demand as it arises and are sorry that your experience has not been better. If you would like to contact me with specific examples of where we did not achieve good availability I will investigate and see what happened on this occasion Nicky Macdougald Practice Manager
Westgate Surgery Kent
2014-11-17
Person
5
5
0
Written by a patient
Written by a patient 17th November 2014
I have been very satisfied with the level of service provided at Westgate surgery since I arrived here 2 years ago. Dr. Meakin has seen me swiftly when I have needed help - this I find a great comfort, especially living alone. Recent attendance to a visiting Physio has finally provided relief to a knee problem : this week receiving Acupuncture in addition to ultra-sound : I AM SO GRATEFUL !
However, I am somewhat amazed to have never had my blood pressure taken in all of my two years here, until the Nurse performed this yesterday by way of completing a form of referral at my request.
Westgate Surgery Kent
2014-11-12
Person
4
5
0
Written by a patient
Written by a patient 12th November 2014
I am more than happy with the service provided, although I do not use the surgery very often, the staff are always polite and helpful, sometimes, depending which Doctor you are registered with, you have to wait longer than others to be called, but all in all, I would not want to move to another surgery (unless you paid me of course)
Westgate Surgery Kent
2014-11-11
Person
5
5
0
Written by a patient
Written by a patient 11th November 2014
everyone is friendly, helpful and well informed.
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Short link to review Westgate Surgery Kent: http://iwgc.net/eb8v3