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[larkrise]

In order to balance the sadness I feel that so many ladies are being let down by their GPs, both on issues of menopause and other health issues, please post in praise of your GP surgery if it is deserved.

I have two lovely GPs, a young male who looks after all aspects of my health apart from the more sensitive and intimate details of being female.  For this I see an equally lovely female GP.

Each GP in our surgery has a speciality and if you have a problem that is outside the area of your doctor's speciality he/she will suggest you consult their appropriate colleague.

It is easy to book appointments online and if you ring on the day you can see a GP of your choice that day.

I realise how fortunate we are and wish all GP surgeries would offer their patients a positive experience.

[Hurdity]

Yes I would like to praise my surgery and GP!

I live in a rural area and the nearest NHS meno clinic is 60 miles away so I am very grateful.
There is a lovely female GP in the surgery who is my age ( 58). She has 5 children and has worked part-time there for many years, and deals with all things gynae.

She is very helpful and lovely to talk to, knows lots about contraception, and menopause and will listen and prescribe what you want (taking your situation into account) and you never ever feel fobbed off. She isn't my regular GP but everyone goes to her with their gynae issues.

The downside is she is booked up for about 6 weeks in advance!

However there are other female GPs so I went to another one, who admitted she didn't know much about HRT but was happy to prescribe me what I asked for when I explained I had discussed it on here.

I do realise how lucky I am with this practice when I read of other stories.

Hurdity x

[Skylark]

Yes, Mrs. P., I have a great surgery, too.  I have confidence in all the GPs there and if I'm consulting about a condition which one of them is not too sure about, I like the way s/he is not at all fazed about asking for advice from a more knowledgeable colleague, either instantly while I'm there or later on and then getting back to me.  My 'own' GP doesn't have in-depth knowledge about contraception/menopause, but she consults another GP in the practice who does and they all share their expertise.  If I choose, I can easily see this other GP.

They always take my concerns seriously and never make me feel like I'm wasting their time.  I always come away feeling very reassured.

The Receptionists are also great - always polite, accommodating and able to give me a prompt appointment.

Mine is a very well-managed surgery, and I really appreciate the service it provides.  It just goes to show it can be done!

[CLKD]

I told our very young GP when he first arrived *never* to class anything I had as a virus or as 'something that was going round': that if I went to the surgery it meant I was ill.  If I go and don't understand what i"m told I go back with list.  Make a double appt if necessary.  When I was very ill in the 1990s with depression when ever I turned up at the Surgery - because I felt safe there - he always made time to sit me down and re-iterate that the medication would evenutally work.  He also helped with sorting out the terrible IBS in 1998.      He allows me to self medicate as and when necessary and noticed when I was depressed and I hadn't realised.  He saw me out walking my dog and a few hours later telephoned to tell me to go to see him the next day. 

[CLKD]

He is very good to Himself and me when required.  This thread made me think of all the times he has been available when necessary  and how much he will be missed when he retires ........

[Anne]

I also have a very good GP practice. You get appointments the same day if you phone first thing and the doctors are very good. And, as I've just found out, the locums are helpful too!!

[CLKD]

DH injured his knee in Sept..  Had to wait 7 days 2 get a phone call from our GP who recommended an X-ray which he got the same day: last Friday.  He now has to wait until 1 week on Friday, p.m., B4 the GP can speak to him about the result.  What !!!!!!    I know his knee isn't an emergency but - there is 1 full time and a part time GP there .......

[Michelle7474]

My Gp surgery I’ve always praised and thought surgery was good  , but since covid I’m not praising them.
You get a rushed phone call and when like me you suffer with aniexty ( newly suffering as in this year ) then everything you phone up for is put down to aniexty then months later oh maybe we will send you for this test..
quick phone call and off you pop

When you see them in person you feel better for someone seeing you.
But since covid it’s not the same as it isn’t for anyone
I have my favourite GP who as helped me with things in past who actually prescribed me HRT even though wasn’t for me at this time , but she is so lovely and caring & what she didn’t know , she got advice from a GP that did know , I have one Favourite male GP who actually listens to you instead of butting in
But these two I haven’t spoke to since April as I presume it’s who ever is available to take calls.

I don’t normally go to GP unless I’m very poorly .. but I can’t wait to see face to face again 

Years ago you would only ever see one GP regardless… now you have a number of GPs and rarely see the same one

[Lyncola]

I’m totally blessed for living in Australia, Covid has not affected going to the doctors, dentist or specialist.

And my doctor is wonderful, Dr Helene, she listens to me, listens to all my problems. Plus she lets me use both Vagifem and Ovestin internally and how much I need to be comfortable. When I had thyroid problems and needed to see the specialist to have surgery. She called me up one week after I saw her, and asked have I heard from the hospital. I said no. She called them up within 30 minutes I had my hospital appointment. She goes above and beyond.

I don’t think I could do menopause without her and without seeing my doctor face to face.

[Postmeno3]

We're all emigrating! 😂

[VictoryV]

I am lucky to have a wonderful GP too. Gone are the days where I can see her face to face but the telephone apt’s have been brilliant. She gave me the Oestrogel, Utrogestan, Testogel and Ovestin on first apt and it felt like a survival kit. We didn’t discuss VA or libido yet she covered those areas with the prescription. I was confused when I collected the meds and wasn’t as appreciative as I am now as I didn’t understand much about the trial and tribulations of Menopause.
I’m so glad I have her now.
Victoria.☀️

[CLKD]

I don't fly 

[Ju Ju]

I can’t get an appointment to see the doctor of my choice as they only give appointments a fortnight ahead, so I was told to ring in a fortnights time! Who’s to say I will have better luck then?  I wanted to see her as she had been supportive about gynae problems. However, if I’m prepared to to talk to anyone I only had to wait a couple of days for a phone consultation.

I saw a doctor face to face when I was having breathing problems due to asthma during lockdown. I waited in the car, until the doctor came out to get me. I couldn’t have had better care.

For most things, a phone consultation is fine, particularly as the wait is shorter and I’m satisfied that I will be seen if I need to. I do not enjoy sitting in a waiting room for ages amongst coughs and sniffles. On the downside of phone consultations, is when you tend to mention something else as an afterthought that you need reassurance about or that actually needs treatment. For example, I have a surface lump on my breast cleavage. A doctor examined it carefully two years ago and said it was nothing to worry about, but to keep and eye on it. However, it has started to itch and become inflamed, then subsides. It’s not an emergency, but probably should be checked, but last time I needed to check about a skin, I had to fill in a load of stuff on line, takes photos, which took an hour….for a five minute consult. This lump could still be nothing to be concerned about, but because of all that I haven’t bothered.

[CLKD]

Probably a cyst? which is aggravated by clothing?  Slight infection underneath the skin?

Is there a Practice Nurse you could see?  Any lump should be investigated, to put the mind at rest.  And it is know that most diseases are diagnosed when the patient leaves saying "Oh by the way" as they leave the room.  Either because they have been afraid to bring the subject up or because they have felt rushed ...........

No wonder A&E are full!