Combe Down Branch Surgery

The GPs and nurse I've seen have been great, it's changed my opinions of GPs a little. The reception staff are not always that welcoming however and have left me feeling they really don't understand customer service at all. The online system for ordering prescriptions is one of the worst I've seen. I always forget my username and password and there is no easy way to be reminded, instead I have to physically go in to the surgery to get a new username and password removing the whole point of the online system. I've seen much better at other practices.
Original Comment Report...

My wife and I consider ourselves very fortunate that we have such a good surgery close to hand and within easy walking distance. We have had to make many visits in recent years as we have got older and are extremely grateful for the excellent service provided by the doctors, nurses and receptionists. We are also very grateful for the excellent service provided by the chemist. Normally we are able to get appointments within a reasonable timescale though there is a need to ring in very early if you want an appointment with your doctor that day. Not always easy if you are not well and have nobody else to do it for you. It is fully appreciated that this cannot be avoided given the very large number of patients covered by the surgery. Being told your call is in a queue is particularly helpful, knowing that you will eventually get thro to the receptionist . Not being able to get thro to the surgery when you are not feeling well is the last thing a patient needs. We have always found that the surgery will fit you in if they can even at very short notice. One suggestion I would like to make concerns the results of blood tests etc., As part of my annual well - man check ups every year I have blood tests for 4 or 5 different conditions. The results of the tests are not automatically notified to you unless there is cause for concern, the alternative is to ask for the results taking pen and paper, jotting them down as they are called out and adding to previous year records at home. It would be helpful if the results were given on a slip of paper on request, particularly where a number of conditions are involved, and, if possible show also what is considered a normal reading for that particular test. Perhaps the offer of this option (written confirmation of the results when available) could be made by the nurse when the blood sample is taken. It would be even better if these results could be shown online on your personal record together with the results for previous years so that you can make appropriate comparisons. Thank you.
Original Comment Report...