Do you like your GP?

I was just wondering how hard it was for you guys to find a doctor that you trusted and if there is any advices you can give to someone that just moved to the UK and doesn't know where to start and how to recognized a good doctor.
Do you feel that your GP is really interested in making sure you and your family are healthy and good?
Thanks

It's probably the luck of the draw and also where you live, but I love mine. He spends a lot of time with me, lets me talk and ask questions even when we're done with the nitty-gritty (e.g. I went in for birth control and ended up talking allergies and he was more than happy to get his stuff out and check out those symptoms for me....) I went to the surgery that my dh has gone to since he was just a baby though, so I already knew that if I didn't like the GP I was assigned to I could probably switch to his (who wasn't accepting new patients, but I probably could've talked my way into seeing him because of family loyalty or something!    )

I like the woman I try to go to. But with all the new rules about not making advance appointments (grrr.... don't get me started on that), I don't often get to see her anymore. Some of the other GPs at the surgery seem to just want to get you out of the door within your allotted 10 minutes.

My best advice for you would be to ask other people who they use. Word of mouth is always the best recommendation.

I had no problem getting registered at the surgery where 3 generations of my husband's family have gone.  There's one GP there who's a git, so I refuse to see him.  I've only had to be insistent about it once.  Now they no longer schedule me or my daughter with him.  When they asked why I didn't want him, I just told them the truth:  that he's an incompetent waste of space.  Never had a problem since.  I love the lady doctor who handles all the pregnant women and children.

There are 6 partners at my surgery.  Two of them are women who I adore.  They are both really nice and caring.  There are two other doctors that I like and will gladly take the children to.  There's a fifth doctor who I don't especially like but I certainly trust him and he really came through when he caught and aggressively treated my daughters Bell's Palsey recently.  There's only one doctor there who I don't like or trust, but I don't ever go to see him, even in an emergency and that's never been a problem-I'm just polite and firm about it. 

My doctor is an angel... everytime i leave his surgery, i feel like giving him a big hug, but manage to restrain myself.     I dont necessarily think he is the most super-knowledgeable of any doctor i've ever been to, but his kindness and 'bedside manner' are brilliant.

 

I have a fab doctor.  She's wonderful, soft-spoken and isn't the least bit judgmental if I have a question or concern.  I'm glad I found her because the first surgery I was registered at was awful.  I got skipped on appointments TWICE, no one seemed to know anything about registering new patients and the doctor made me feel like a nutter. 

I love my doc and am sad that I'm moving from the catchment area and need to find a new one!!!  Waaaa!!!  :\\\'(  If anyone knows of a good GP in the Kilburn/Brondesbury area, please let me know!

There are about 6 (or eight?) doctors at the surgery we go to, I dunno if it's just me or what, but sometimes I feel like we are being herded in and out like sheep for a shearing. Rush, rush, rush, and often just a feeling of the doctor barely tolerating our questions. I keep waiting for a shoulder shrug or eye roll, but it's not happened just yet, however, if I REALLY tried, I could probably get those reactions. Even my husband agrees that several of the doctors are that way.

I don't know yet.  I still haven't registered with a GP yet during my 10 months here.  

bvamin

me neither bvmanin.  and i'm right around the corner from Harley street where a lot of the swanky ones are!  I keep meaning too....but have spaced.

We have a wonderful GP, who is based in a medical centre with 11 other GPs and they're all great too (even the reception staff)!

However, when we lived in London, we had a number of dodgy GPs.  We found it hard to register with the popular doctors and ended up with those in single practice, i.e. on their own, and after a few visits, we realised why they couldn't find any other doctors to go into practice with - they were weird!

Anyway, the best thing to do if you're not happy with your GP is to find another - your local health authority (or whatever they're called now - are they primary care trusts?)can help.  I think larger practices are better and ask around for recommendations.

I have had 3 GP's...the first I couldnt stand..for one, he would never touch me..I went in with a severe throat infection..he never he looked...and then he didnt know I was out in the waiting room, and I heard him tell a worker that he couldnt stand American's and everything having to be so big..that was right after 911..I quit seeing him! I got a GP that lived on the next street over..she reminded me of Glenda the Good Witch...the way she spoke...lol..she was really nice, but didnt listen alot of times...when I lost my Dad to suicide I was a wreck...begged for something to help me thru it..her answer..."just breath".... ....anyway...she also blew me off last year when I told her my ankle had gotten twisted and was swollen..she said it was water retention...its now nearly a year since that happened and I have found out I have a torn tendon in it and needs surgery....hmmmm....Now I have a GP, that seems nice, listens and has done more then the last two..so maybe I have hit pay dirt at last....so like one of ya'll said..its hit and miss...good luck!!

Yes definitely, she was extremely nice and very helpful. I thought it would be alot more difficult than it was, but she was very friendly and approachable. She even gave me a 3-month supply of bcp's without me even having to ask.

I love my GP--but I usually prefer to see a practice nurse as I think they have a better grasp on reality.

Just to say that if you ever have a problem with your GP or registering at a surgery, call your local Patient Advice and Liason Service (PALS)  they have to help you and are usually very good.