The Alresford Surgery Newsletter

Dr David Green, Dr Richard Cribb, Dr Peter Stokes
Dr Ann Lowman, Dr Sheila Cassidy, Dr Susan Wright
Station Road, Alresford, Hampshire, SO24 9JL
Telephone No. 01962 732345 Fax: 01962 736034
For general advice or reassurance NHS Direct 0845 46 47
Out of hours 0844 811 3060

Patient questionnaires

We would like to thank all patients who completed a questionnaire earlier this year. The results were generally very encouraging and we are summarising the key results below. The percentages are for those answering good or above.

• Reception staff service - 97%
• Phone response - 85%
• Opening hours - 82%
• Access to GP of choice - 56%
• Access to any GP - 77%
• Access same day if urgent - 90%
• Quality of consultations GP and nurse - 96%

We are looking at some areas to see if we can make improvements. Opening hours is a difficult issue, we know patients would like the surgery to open longer and at weekends but the NHS is unable to cover the cost of this and we do believe the Out of Hours service is now providing a good level of service.

Access to a GP of choice is also a challenge as most of our doctors only work certain days of the week. Getting to see them at short notice can be difficult. We do endeavour to meet access to an unspecified GP within two working days (and have achieved this for the last three months). We will also see matters that cannot wait on the day and use a nurse to assess these calls to ensure the needy are seen.

Some patients may receive an independent questionnaire in the New Year commissioned by the Department of Health asking similar questions about access and opening hours, we hope that patients will take part in this national survey.

Flu vaccinations

We are still giving flu jabs to patients over 65 or who have serious illnesses, if you have not had your free jab yet call the surgery to make an appointment. Makins Court, Ellingham Place and Chiltern Court are advertising our visit dates to see their residents.

Christmas hours

We will be closed on 25 and 26 December and 1 January. Normal Out of Hours cover will be provided. May we take this opportunity to wish all patients a happy Christmas and New Year.

Preston Candover

There will not be a surgery on Monday 11 December. Dr Cribb will attend on Friday 29 December.