My other half and are with Wells Park, sadly the only practise that would take us despite our immediate neighbours being with The Jenner-our preferred practise.
They are Awful-messed up referrals, can never get appointments, mis-sent texts to me which are adressed to another paitent.
I brought all this up with the practise manager who had me in for a meeting.
However the comedy of Errors continues.
would not recommend them ever.
In 5 years Ive only seen the same doctor twice and appointments when you do get them are very rushed.
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Iāve used The Jenner for years (also throughout my pregnancy with my almost 15 year old) and always found the service very good for myself & kids. Never had any problems at all 
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Iāve been with Wells Park Practice for 5 years and never had a problem with them, apart from my appointments sometimes being delayed for up to an hour. Which is quite a nuisance, come to think of it. And although I rarely see the same doctor, I donāt think Iāve had that luxury in the 15 years Iāve lived in London.
But I can usually get an appointment and always found staff courteous. And the blood-taker is brilliant.
I was really surprised to learn theyād scored so badly. Maybe Iāve just been lucky.
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Sorry mfix. That made me chuckle 'cause that sounded like two problems there.
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Haha, yeah fair point. Clearly just have really low standards!
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Just wanted to add to this as Woolstone Medical practice hadnāt been mentioned above. Have been with them for 4 years since moving here and have always been really happy with the doctors there. It is tricky to get a same day appt sometimes, but if you ring at 8am you will get one. Also think theyāve dealt with the Covid stuff really well, they have a helpful e-consult service where you can submit your question and a doctor gets back to you within 24-48 hours. I went for a flu jab at the weekend and it was so so well organised, well ventilated, effective one way system, masks worn, in and out in less than 3 minutes. In particular they have several very good, kind and thorough female doctors. Definitely recommend!
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I agree Ames - Iāve been with Woolstone Medical Centre and itās predecessor Perry Hill Surgery for over 30 years! Although there are now 2 surgeries closer to home and itās too far for me to walk there Iāve chosen to remain there as Iāve always been very happy with their care. I knew I would be eligible to have the flu jab on the NHS for for the first time this year but was surprised when I was called before the end of August and booked in for September 19th. Iāve heard others locally havenāt been so lucky.
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Any updates on GP preferences?
Currently looking at The Vale medical centre as my 1st choice.
Iām with Vale Medical centre (have been for 7 years) and Iāve found them very good.
- Never had to wait long in the waiting room (30mins max).
- Can see all my medical history via their app.
- They usually have many appointments available and last-minute ones.
- Doctors and health nurses Iāve seen have all been empathetic and thorough.
- I recently needed an urgent hospital referral and the Doctor was great with promptly referring me the next day.
- Receptionists can be hit or miss as with most surgeries.
Last month Guyās hospital urgently requested I get a blood test and the Vale receptionist wouldnāt book me one due to the time of day I called them, they advised I would need to call back at a certain time the next day and then speak to a doctor who would then assess whether I need a blood test and then I would book a test in. When youāve had an urgent referral to identify a life-threatening condition you donāt need to be sent around on a goose chase just to book a test! I ended up getting one via Lewisham Hospital the next morning instead. So thereās a few little things like that which irked me, but no doubt itās all as a result of Covid regulations now.
I canāt give any advice regarding recent appointments as I havenāt been.
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Thanks, I appreciate the post.
GP receptionist are a wonder to the world sometimes.
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> āGP receptionist are a wonder to the world sometimesā
Thats one way of putting it.
With Lordship Lane Surgery (opposite Lloyds Bank on Lordship Lane) - good GP that gets to know their patient - and being a Southwark surgery, sent to Kingās and not Lewisham; no complaints. Takes the whole of SE23.
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Oh I didnāt know that! Now I wish I had signed up to that surgeryā¦
The other Southwark surgeries that take in parts of SE23 are The Foret Hill Group Practice, Forest Hill Road, SE22 and the two surgeries within the St Giles Surgery Buiilding, St Giles Road, SE5. So could be a thought if you have long-term problems and wish to dodge UHL.
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When Iāve needed a referral to a hospital the Vale Medical Centre left the choice to me and acted accordingly. In fact they told me on one occasion that Kingās A&E was better and called them to advise that I was on my way.
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Kingās also have a PICU, unlike Lewisham, should you ever have a very ill child.
We have been with the Forest Hill group practise for over 20 years. All GP surgeries have their ups & downs, but we have been happy with them over the years.
If you need a blood test the GP will give you the form & you just go to Kings or Dulwich hospital during their opening times.
I have to have 3 monthly blood tests because of my medication for rheumatoid arthritis. I always go to Dulwich hospital. They now have the new Tessa Jowell medical centre open. If I go in the morning the GP usually has the results in the afternoon.
Yes, and without being too anoraky on the NHS, having a Southwark GP gets easier access to the Evelina Hospital, next to St Thomasā.
RE Tessa Jowell Health Centre - itās a lovely place, but, setting Corona aside, seems very under-used. I also go there, rather than KCH for blood tests.
I heard from my GP thatās where local (those of us like me and Gill with Southwark GPs in the Dulwich, Dulwich Village and Nunhead cluster of surgeries) people will be sent for the Corona vaccination.
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A great discovery when I registered at Vale Medical Centre was they do blood tests in the surgery. No traipsing to a hospital.
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Was that recently? It might be due to Covid, but The Vale usually refers blood tests to the Lewisham & Greenwich community phlebotomy service: https://www.lewishamandgreenwich.nhs.uk/blood-tests-covid-19/
Getting an appointment at one of those surgeries can be difficult, though may have improved since my experiences last year. University Hospital Lewisham is currently not accepting GP referrals for blood tests, due to Covid.