Richmond GP

[expat123]

Hi All

Just wondering if anyone can recommend a friendly, professional GP in the Richmond/Sheen area. The closest to us is The Vineyard Surgery, but I would prefer a word-of-moth rcommendation, rather than taking a punt.
I suffered very bad PND after my 4-year-old was born and am still dealing with ongoing symptoms, so I would like to forge a good relationship with a caring and supportive doctor.
Any help greatly appreciated!

I've lived locally for many years and noticed GPs surgeries have changed quite a lot, so make sure you look into what they offer carefully as well as getting recommendations. I'm afraid I don't have a specific recommendation as my old GP in Richmond has moved on, and I'm now in Kew with new surgery, but useful tip is to remember you can always change if you feel you're not getting right support. I did that where I'm now living and regret not doing so earlier as my new surgery has much more child-orientated care whereas previous one concentrated on the elderly. I know it's difficult to balance everyone's needs but I got very annoyed when I was actually chastised for trying to book normal compulsory immunisation appointments for my baby daughter which happened to coincide with flu jab time of year. Then once I did get in, they made me wait long past appointment time (which I'd moved heaven and earth to get to on time) with my eldest daughter bored, and little baby hungry, and I couldn't feed her as I was supposed to be called in, but they kept allowing flu jab patients to jump the queue as it was considered that my baby's jabs would take longer. Boo. Always thought it would be a huge hassle to change but not at all and totally worth it!

Anyway, rant over, main point is that nowadays there is a huge variation between Richmond surgeries as quite a few have trimmed back services, so you need to ask what services they can provide at the surgery otherwise all your GP will do is refer you elsewhere, when another GP around the corner might be able to help on location. Best of luck!

I like Seymour House. Not too far from The Vineyard surgery either.

They have a team of doctors and two practice nurses. Everyone I've seen has been helpful and they don't keep you hanging about all day.

Practices (there are two) in the Sheen Lane Health centre both seem good but I'd doubt tehy'd take you on as they are generally very popular and you're quite a way away.

Out of interest Kora which practice are you at - we are at the one along the railway line...

Stay clear of the Vineyard. I am there and wish to leave. Impossible to get ap with drs. Most drs are temps. Dr Oremrod is great but she only works one or 2 days a week.

Reception staff are aweful and rude. try seymour.

I used Seymour when I was in Richmond. Had a lovely GP truly professional yet practical, the one who's moved on, but might be indication that they recruit well. They used to do loads more, like baby clinics etc, but the money's been cut for that (I know, I've just got to get used to it). But they were well organised etc, and still have quite a few doctors, so likely to still be good.

Kewcumber - your one looked good but they said we were too far away, so I'm currently using the other main practice on our side of the railway line and much happier with them than the previous place on other side...

Yes, Seymour House is good (although has problems as do most surgeries). The Vineyard is awful, we moved from there to Seymour House. Good luck!

A couple of other things about Seymour House I like are that you can get a same day appointment either morning or afternoon and they open on a Saturday morning for the nurse or GP by appointment.

However, I did not like seeing the community midwife at the surgery. Nothing to do with the surgery (they were brilliant at picking up the missed appointments but didnt have access to my blood test results etc because they were done by the MW and I got quite ill with severe anaemia) but when she went AWOL it was impossible to get other appointments with her (you have to book directly with mw) and because the appointments are between 1-3pm if you have a problem you can't ring to say you will be late or to reschedule. If I get pregnant again I will be self-referring to Kingston hospital community midwife team.