The Coastal Partnership

I went to the surgery today with an inquiry and they were helpful, friendly and reception staff sorted out my prescription efficiently, going beyond my expectations to help. They called me later to ask an additional question and later confirmed that the prescription would be ready for collection in a couple of days. The service was friendly and efficient and made me feel like it was no trouble. Overall an amazing service.

The receptionists are really bad, they seem to gatekeep. I've had multiple occasions where they haven't communicated with the doctors or myself. For example I called ahead of a shingles vaccination a few weeks ago to check it was going ahead, reception told me they didn't know because the nurse was off sick and they'd call me back but they never did. I came in and the nurse couldn't do it because she hadn't had the paperwork so didn't have the vaccine in stock. Nobody communicated this to me or ... my consultant. I had to go and come back a week later. They also told me I could have it done at a pharmacy but when I asked which one they said they didn't know and I'd have to ring around. I called six different pharmacies and none did it. Today my appointment was at 9.50am and I've only just come out (11.45am), nobody spoke to me to say it was running late or to apologise. I have a repeat prescription which my doctor is happy to issue for periods of time without seeing me but the receptionist will tell me I need to have an appointment. This feels like more gatekeeping. I'll come in and see the doctor and he'll ask why I'm there as he was happy to issue the prescription without an appointment. It's frustrating that the doctors and receptionists don't talk to each other. My biggest grumble is communication. I'd give the receptionists one star but Dr. Gosh and Dr. Thompson five stars, so overall it's three.

I haven't had any problems. I know everyone struggles with appointments but there's a lot more people in the area. Sometimes when they call patients they only let it ring two or three times then hang up. I know my neighbour can't get to the phone in that time and I'm sure other older people would struggle too. Or even for people without mobility issues, they might be in the middle of something or trying to find their phone, so I think they should leave it ringing a bit longer. However the attitu ... de of all staff I've dealt with has been really good.

I've been to see the nurse today and it was brilliant. Fiona and Anne have always been really good. They always seem to do their best. I find it OK to make appointments.

It's a great surgery. I'm seeing Mia the physician assistant and she's absolutely marvellous. She looks into everything and follows it up - very good. You hear so much about people saying they can't see a doctor but if you ring up at 8am it works alright to get an appointment that day.

They're brilliant. They seem very confident in what they do. I know you wait but that's how it works and they see you as soon as they can. They're very good at trying to fit my husband in too who has dementia. All in all, very good.

They're very good. They're quite personable, particularly on reception. It's pleasant talking to them on the phone, it's not stressful.

I think they're pretty good. It's a bit of a struggle to get appointments, you phone at 8am and get in a queue. They could do with a bit more continuity of doctors but I can ask to see particular ones and they accommodate me if they can. Given the size of the practice and the people here, it would be good if they opened on the weekend too, else you have to go to the Walk-In Centre. Generally I am happy and the dispensary staff are helpful. The whole system itself is a bit dodgy at the moment. Th ... e frontline care is clinging on.

They're really good. If you've got a problem you can just pop in and it's sorted. They genuinely work with you, you don't feel like you're putting them out. It's the receptionists who make the difference. I had a text about an appointment but there was no time on it and online showed no appointment at all so I came in, they've looked it up in no time and told me it's for tomorrow. The doctors are good too. It wasn't that good a year ago and I don't know what they've changed, but they've changed ... something and it's really good now.

I like it. I feel I can always get an appointment, the doctors are always helpful and the nurses are always kind.