Stony Medical Centre

After 47 years with this practice I decided it was time to go. I dont think there is one doctor that works a full week. Some years ago SMC spent thousands on a consulting firm to come in and allocate each patient a named doctor, all patients were asked to see the same doctor when ever possible so that they would get to know your history and be able to build a good doctor/patient relationship. Since covid GPs seem to have used the situation to avoid working more than any other profession, they will only give phone calls if they absolutely have to. Patients can no longer ask for their own doctor, I asked to speak to my own doctor and said I was prepared to wait however many days or weeks but was told that was no longer an option. I was not allowed to pre book an appointment, if I need to speak to a doctor it would be whoever was on duty or no one. Before covid we were all being told that anti biotics were not being prescribed very often as there was a concern that people were becoming immune, now if the doctor can avoid seeing you they'll give anti bs for anything and everything. This surgery was the envy of MK years ago all of the doctors without exception were caring, kind, very professional and treated their patients with respect. Now it is hard to get a doctor to look at you they spend 90% of the time they do see a patient looking at their computers and if you can get a whole sentence out without being interrupted then well done you. I doubt my new choice of surgery will be much better but it is one thing being refused an appointment by someone who claims to be your doctor and another to be refused by a stranger, I'd rather be refused by a stranger than someone claiming to know you. I also hate the fact that some of my notes are completely wrong and made on assumptions because I was not given the opportunity to give a full account or asked the appropriate questions.

It would appear that almost all the Doctors are part timers which in itself is a poor way to run the service. My recent attempt to get an appointment was met with - 'there are no appointments for current month or next month as the Doctors have not released any. This is the start of August and if they want to go on holiday they should at least provide locum replacements which they obviously haven't done., the only way to see a Doctor is to lie and say it's an emergency. I noticed the lift is still out of order - a notice advises all disabled and those unable to tackle the stairs to call up on the phone and the Doctor will come down and see them - seriously - one would have thought this was a priority, another indication of very poor management.
Original Comment Report...

Phone access appalling. Rude receptionists. Condescending Doctors. 2-3 month wait to see own doctor. Generally not very good.
Original Comment Report...