Changing Doctors

[jennyjoan]

your opinion please.

I haven't been happy with my doctors since another fabulous doctor retired some years back. Anyway I called physically last Friday to hand a letter into the doctors re the referral as I couldn't get through on the phone in the afternoon.

Whilst I was locking up car and doing bits and pieces there was a girl and her daughter buzzing get into the door but nothing was happening. Another gentleman on the other side of the door was trying to get out - anyway as we do I asked the girl "do you like this surgery" - she answered "I absolutely hate hate it so much". Me - "how long have you been here - her "all my life". Me - would you not move - her "aren't all doctors all the same".

My friend is with a great doctor - and now I am thinking of moving but am wondering - is it better the devil you know than the devil you don't.

Don't know what to do. Thanks for any replies.

[hellywelly4]

I would move without question. You haven't been happy there for a long time have you.

[elliemay1]

If you're thinking of moving you'd need to ask at the new doctor's first as they may not be able to take you on.

[bednobs]

im not sure how it works in NI, but in england you currently have to go to the dr in the catchment which your address is although there is overlap so you have achoice

[Prudie]

Is it one specific doctor (your friend's) that you want to move to? I don't know how it works in NI nor England for that matter but I am registered with a surgery in a not very big town, been there about 18 years and I have never ever seen the same doctor twice. Most of them have been locums in fact so I couldn't pick to see a person of my choice.

[Sqad]

Taking on a disgruntled patient from another practice or getting a referral from another colleague is usually " bad news" as it is usually like buying an old second hand car.........that patient will always be dissatisfied.

[Sqad]

Apologies, I haven't answered your question.

I would stay put.....the devil..........

[Redhelen72]

https://hscbusiness.hscni.net/services/1815.htm

[Paul22118]

We were never really pleased with the service offered by our GP's surgery and this was compounded after covid relaxed as our surgery became known as Fort Knox! You could not get in, you could not get a reply to emails and they, at one point had me 38th in the telephone queue. A friend told us that his surgery had returned to pre pandemic methods of operating and was truly back to normal. I enquired at the receptionists area and after filling in the relevant paperwork transferred to this practice. Best thing we ever did.
BTW they are now at maximum capacity and have a closed list . Good news had travelled fast.