How would YOU improve YOUR GP surgery??

[unknownrebelbang]

A friend has been asked to join a patient forum at her GPs and is looking for suggestions.

What would YOU want?

What do you have at your surgery that works?

Any suggestions?

TIA

A door wide enough for a double buggy.

An extra receptionist.

A reception where not everybody can hear you've come for the contraception clinic.

The good things about our surgery is that they now how an 'arive yourself' screen so you don't have to que at the reception, and they also have a pharmacy in the building.

especially the GP. Well one of them- the other one is alright, but there is one who is unapproachable.

Reserve early morning appointments for people who work would be a huge help IMO

I've compiled a list for my friend, so thanks once again everyone.

rearranging the appt slots so that you are not routinely sitting there for an hour after your alloted slot.

Also having them properly follow up referrals -ie sending them out within a day or so, making sure that they go to right place.

Drop in surgery worked really well at my last GPs. Surgery was open from 8:30 to 12 on a first come basis. Doors opened from 8am and you signed n and sat and waited. I never waited longer than 30 minutes. Afternoon was for routine appointments.

Now have a normal appointment system at new GPs and regularly wait up tp an hour after my appointment time to see the GP.

Wherever I can I now use the hospital NHS drop in centre, which is run at the hosipital and is staffed by nurses, who then refer you on if necessary or deal with minor ailments themselves. There is a doctor around for prescription signing, etc. There is always less of a wait here than at the GPs.

So maybe making more use of nurses would be good.

Electronic check-in when you arrive. Virtually no-one uses it (god knows why) but frankly why should a receptionist have to hit a button to say you are there when you can do it yourself?

Order repeat prescriptions by email (ours is now via the website but it's still a godsend) but I want proper electronic transfer of prescriptions, straight from the surgery to the pharmacy of your choice. What is their timescale for rolling it out? I am merciless at my surgery about it.

For the GPs: how about signing the prescriptions before they go to the pharmacy, particularly if they are for controlled drugs I swear I have rocked up there on occasion to find the prescriptions unsigned and someone has mysteriously signed them within five mins. Not the doctor?

I actually don't believe in this one, but would like to see it offered: patient choice for first out-patient appointment.

weebles - I have to add that my experience of GP receptionists is very positive. I know there are lots of other examples but in my practice, they are unfailingly polite and helpful.