Reepham Surgery

It remains a mystery as to why us former service personnel are asked to tell the receptionist that we are a veteran. In my experience it only serves to make things worse. We forces can tough it out and sort ourselves out, whilst the surgery continues to nurture the learned helplessness of other patients, or those who have the energy or sheer bloody-mindedness and no manners get more co-operation. Prompted by the poster in the waiting room, I asked what type of type help was available for veterans. I was emailed a pdf of guidance to GPs' on Veterans as patients; and as always with this practice, preferring verbal communication as then nothing is in writing = zero accountability, I was told of some services. But due to my medical problems I have problems remembering. Leaflets laying out the difference services (I think one of which was help with form filling) for veterans would be better. I would welcome someone to talk to as dealing with this surgery has proved distressing, exhausting, and I left feeling totally unsupported. No MRI/X-rays unless I am paying. The administration is diabolical. A referral was faxed through to a hospital with no consultant name, no reason why I was being referred. And this was when they were given EVERY bit of information they needed. I was processed through triage, and told it was best to have a doctor have a look. Only to discover that it wasn't a GP, but the nurse practitioner. The manner in which I was treated was as a time waster and attention seeker, and after all I could get out of the NHS/surgery. My efforts in avoiding over-reliance/dependency in my use of a walking aid was ridiculed, laughed at. Shame the nurse practitioner hadn't read notes before hand to see I had a recent foot operation. I found the nurse practitioner to be presumpuitous , judgmental, and condescending. On another visit, a female patient was greeted by her GP and her general well being asked after. The female patient expressed the difficulties, which were dismissed and shrugged off as making something out of nothing, until the patients husband repeated word for word what his wife(the patient) had said, the response not only changed to one of empathetic appreciation of their circumstances,but an oh it must be true, I believe you now a man has spoken. Finally, if Reepham must have a poster of Ghandi up, at least show the man some respect and replace' Bombay' (a colonial term) for the correct 'Mumbai'. Other concerns include finding out that test results have been needed acted upon despite being told by the receptionist that no action was required. There is a general emotional immaturity, and small mindedness. How a test for HIV was dealt with was absolutely shameful, and I should have complained - but to what end - these people hide behind a shield of "Zero Tolerance" and opt for martyrdom if they come under any constructive criticism. The service is free at point of contact, but it is still paid for!
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