The Castle Practice

Telephone appointments can be great for alleviating patient waiting times for appointments with the GP, but there is no understanding when an appointment is missed. Recently I missed a call from the Doctor due to using W.C facilities. I allowed a time for a call back but when it did not come I contacted the surgery to be told that I would have to call again the next day for another appointment . Surely there has to be some understanding from staff that a person has to go on with their daily lives/work while waiting for their telephone call. They cannot expect patients to sit looking at their phones all day and not use the toilet when the call could come at any time during the day.

I only have praise for my doctors surgery. They are fantastic. I never have any problems getting appointments and the care I receive is always outstanding.

Its difficult getting a GP appointment, telephone consultations can be a great option but sometimes you need to physically see your doctor.

I've been going to Castle Practice for the arthritis in my knees for a long time but they haven't referred me for any investigation. Just keep giving me pain killers and recommending physio which is hard at my age. I've been getting worse and had a few falls recently but they couldn't see me so referred me elsewhere. Luckily I've got a relative who cares for me who could bring me if I didn't have her I would have struggled to get here.

Staff are friendly and accommodating outcome of call can depend on who you speak to. I request face to face appointments which are usually accommodated. Today I have been referred to another practice so that my child can be seen by a GP.

I have been with Castle practice for many years. Great staff. Never had a problem getting an appointment.

I feel like my mental health issues are pushed to the side by GPs. I feel like I've been treated badly by GPs, like I'm beneath them.

I had a mental health crisis and received on going support from a specific doctor. She called me to check in with me regularly and the surgery now make sure that all my appointments are with her, not only mine but for the rest of my family too.

I have lost confidence in the services. I can't get any face-to-face appointment with the doctor, can't access the online service. When I do a blood test, my results are not communicated to me unless I enquire about it myself. So many things have been going wrong since the pandemic.

When I call the reception, I don't get any answer, I walked in, and they don't allow me in. I don't know what they are all doing in there.