More questions on moving to Bristol

[AliceBlackwell]

Thanks everyone for your helpful response to my last thread. I'm slowly feeling like things are becoming more organised for our move.
The next thing I'd like to tackle is finding a good GP and medical centre. Can anyone recommend somewhere in Bishopston? I want a GP who is easy to communicate with, doesn't rush, and has a naturopathic/holistic approach to health. Also, as we are planning a pregnancy, I want a medical centre which is open to a variety of birth choices. Hopefully not too much to ask! Does anyone have comments - positive or negative - on any of the medical centres local to Bishopston?

i can't recommend Montpelier health centre highly enough. I've had 3 home births through them, but similarly they have responded brilliantly through a number of genuine health emergencies over the last few years. Not sure if they're close enough to bishopston (we lived in st andrews when we registered, and then moved to st pauls) and i know they aren't to everyone's taste. hope that helps.

I know that the Bishopston group of community midwives have a fantastic reputation, we are with Western College in Cotham who are are a great GP surgery, but a bit of a trek from Bishopston. There is an amazing NHS clinic specialising in complementary therapies near the Downs, sorry, can't remember the name.

The NHS clinic near the downs is called Helios. I was registered with them for years but changed surgery as I was unhappy with the new doctor I was assigned there. They once told me I was diagnosed with an underactive thyroid after some blood tests, and booked me an appointment to go in to discuss treatment. When I got there a week later he told me that I didn't actually have it, they had muddled up my test results with another patient, but he had not had time to call me and tell me the mistake! Last straw was when I was pregnant a few months later and diagnosed with a low lying placenta he had never heard of it!!! I also found the reception staff unhelpful, and it is a trek with a newborn, as you will all of a sudden find yourself spending a lot of time in and out of the doctors, so I suggest you get a surgery in buggy-walking distance.

On the plus-side, the other GPs there seemed a bit more on-the-ball and professional! They offer homeopathic and herbal treatment, and also in-house alternative therapists. If you live in Bishopston you will have to lie about your address to get in though, unless you want to go private there.

I am now with Gloucester Rd Medical Centre, just up the road from Bishopston, and they are a large practice but wonderful! Very easy to get an appointment, I have a great GP who has lots of time for me and thinks holistically, and I hear their midwife dept is 2nd to none, I have many friends who have been supported through pregnancies there.

Montpelier health centre is excellent for a wide range of services, and you can get same day appointments fairly easily (you are triaged over the phone then allocated an appointment depending on how urgent it is). I don't, however, find that it's a very personal service - in fact I rarely see the same doctor twice in a row but that's possibly more about my laziness to remember who I saw last time, and the fact that none of my family have any serious health issues that would require specific continuity of care.

The Spence practice comes highly recommended as a good 'family' place.

The only thing I know about Neville Road practice is that there is a doctor there who, whatever your problem, will blame it on using public swimming pools

Or there's Horfield Health Centre which like Montpelier has a wide range of services on site, and it has also won awards for it's service.

I'm also at Glos Road Medical Centre and think it's vey good, huge fan of my GP. I work for the NHS in Bristol and Glos Road does have a good reputation, Horfield HC is also good but more of a trek. I really would keep it local.

nevil road surgey is fab and the doctors very good. The mw are very supportive especially of home birth

short message as I am typing with one finger with baby on lap.

Thank you so much everyone for your thoughtful replies. We've just been so busy with packing/organising/throwing out/freecycling/freaking out that I haven't checked this site for a few days. Had forgotten how awful moving is but keep myself sane by remembering how excited I am to be moving to Bishopston

Montpelier midwife staff are great but the surgery has to serve too large an area and consequently some things suffer. You can have difficulties getting appointments and the baby clinic is a bit of a nightmare due to the amount of people, it really should be split over 2 days.
I've heard great things about Nevil road from friends who go there.

Spence Practice on Logan Road are ace. Appointments always available. Several female doctors. Keen on osteos, chiros etc etc. Supportive of home birth. Good about worried new parents. Easy to park nearby. Online service for some stuff. Don't have to spend hours re-dialling to get through.

Deffo register with the Bishopston Midwives if you're thinking variety of birth choices (espesh if by 'variety' you mean home birth).