PPG MUCH HADHAM PATIENT SURVEY
Please complete and return to your local surgery by 26th April 2013
(Please circle your answer)
Which surgery do you usually attend?
1. Hunsdon
2.
Much Hadham 52 responses
3. Little Hadham
Why do you use this particular surgery? (Please state)
Most convenient, closest, live in Much Hadham, main surgery, local and easy to walk to, nearest to
home, nearest to me, I work and need evening appointments, like it, ease of use and appointment
times, only moved to area 5.5 months ago so not used any yet, most appointments are there, nice
facilities and people, because that is where the dispensary is situated, best option, would prefer
Hunsdon but appointments not usually available, because its more friendly and helpful and I can
park, more availability of doctors, occasional patient myself but accompany my husband who sees
nurses regularly.
Are you happy with the number of clinics held at your preferred surgery? (Please state)
Yes 31
No idea how many there are
Only know one
Would like a Saturday option
I would use Little Hadham in the evening if it was available
Do not use yet
Late nights and weekends in particular would be very useful.
As you can’t be ill to order, we need more same day appointments or emergency appointments.
Thinking about the approach to the surgery you usually attend:
1. Are you happy with the parking arrangements?
Yes 40
2. What changes, if any, would you suggest? (Please state)
That others are more considerate with their parking
Disabled parking bays.
3 x Larger car park maybe
A survey review to see if it could be enlarged
4 x More spaces
Much better now trees are cut back
Usually find a space in car park or on the road near by.
2 x Marked bays
No 7
Changes in car park are good.
Not really enough room for changes without it attracting long stay parking.
Please don’t block the front entrance ‘unless emergency’.
Use the space where the trees were for extra parking?
3. Do you find access to the building easy? Please note that there is a proposed change of door
access to the Much Hadham surgery.
Yes 47 No 3
4. What changes, if any, would you suggest? (Please state)
Filling in the puddle outside the entrance would make life easier
Very heavy and awkward as there are two doors, one automatic?
Automated doors – I do see folks struggling as they are heavy.
The doors are heavy and if you are disabled or use a stick they are difficult.
Difficult with buggy.
How easy do you find it to make an appointment at your chosen surgery?
Easy 23 Moderate 21
Difficult 3 Hard 2
If you want a particular doctor you may of course, have some delay.
Sometimes I have had to wait 14 days before my appointment.
How do you usually make your appointment?
1. By phone 46
2. In person 9
Would you be interested in being able to make your appointments on line?
1. Yes 25
2. No 26
How far in advance do you feel you should be able to make an appointment and why? (Please
state) Currently it is urgent appointments on a daily basis and booking up to 4 weeks in advance.
20 x Current arrangements seem ok.
You have to ask what is considered non urgent.
3 x One week in advance would be practical.
3 months in advance because in holiday periods it can be necessary.
Good now.
3 x 2 days.
3 x 1 day.
Same day, you can’t plan being ill.
Okay.
3 x 2 weeks, a month is too long if an issue isn’t emergency but needs sorting.
Only option for appointment with 2-3 days is to request an urgent appointment, otherwise its at
least 10 days to see the doctor who regularly treats.
Would you like the facility to hold telephone consultations with a Doctor or Practice Nurse?
1. Yes 45
2. No 6
If yes, how would this facility benefit you? (Please state)
Might be useful in future if checking medication levels or symptoms.
Stop the queue’s in surgery
Prevent unnecessary visit to surgery.
2 x Get advice quickly on the day, be less worried than when having to wait a long time for
appointment.
Might save the need to visit the doctor, might flag up something serious.
2 x It may save time for all concerned and not necessitate a visit to the surgery.
Advice/answers to problems solved immediately.
I am disabled, so that would help a lot.
A quick word on the phone could save a lot of time and effort all round
A worry could be solved much quicker
2 x Minor ailments for advice
I currently have to see the doctor for irregular repeat prescriptions which seems a waste of an
appointment
Not having to wait for an appointment for a query, although necessary, could be cleared up in a
quick phone call and not take up a precious appointment
2 x Give quick reassurance
I often feel that it’s a waste to have an appointment when a short discussion/reassurance on the
phone would suffice.
I may not need an appointment and a phone call could offer advice to get help from a chemist.
I am a few miles away down a one mile drive and have no car.
Less time waiting at the surgery, more help with problems, doesn’t waste doctors time if it is
something that doesn’t need to be seen.
Put your mind at rest and not using up appointment time.
3 x Would save coming down.
Save an appointment needed by another patient.
Sometimes, because of the effect of a change in medication, it becomes important to speak to a
professional as it is not always possible to get a lift to the surgery.
Only in a real emergency.
Avoid sitting for hours in a germ ridden waiting room.
For follow up to normal appointments i.e.: to report that a problem discussed has resolved or not.
Thinking of the waiting area in your preferred surgery:
Do you find the notice boards and information available useful?
1. Yes 36
2. No 9
Not personally but may be useful to others
Don’t take any notice of them
What do you think would be useful information to have on display? (Please state)
About specialist support groups and societies, healthier exercise options locally.
Have a computer with access to the internet for medical info whilst waiting.
General leaflets (diabetes, carer, heart etc.), times hospitals open for blood tests etc.
When doctors are on holiday.
2 x A detailed list of all the services available from our practice, especially for pensioners.
Self help groups
The information needs to be displayed clearly under specific topics
Who’s who and their role
Accurate wait time
Doctors on call.
Would like some more visuals, it was good when we had some art up – on rotating basis.
It’s bland and usually imparts very little new information.
Something to read and update one’s self.
Would you like music played in this area?
1. Yes 9
2. No 38
Not bothered 2
Maybe
Quietly, but background noise far better especially if there is a long wait
Do you find that enough privacy is available if you wish to speak with a receptionist?
1. Yes 34
2. No 16
If No, what recommendations would you make? (Please state)
Difficult without more space
It would require massive rearrangement of the inside layout.
Would be helpful to know you could speak privately, put up on a notice board this is available.
Slight alterations to the building to give more privacy.
Independent bays
Maybe a box of some sort.
3 x Stand behind a line as in banks and H&E hospital.
More space in waiting area, gets tied up with dispensary.
It’s a building design issue.
2 x Space to speak privately.
They are very good and have never felt over looked.
Would you like anti bacterial hand gel to be available in the waiting area?
1. Yes 39
2. No 7
Not bothered 3
I think that everyone touching the screen as soon as they walk in seems strange as many will
be coughing and sneezing and will not have washed their hands/fingers.
Only if the doctors recommend it.
Would you be interested in receiving a free Patient Newsletter?
1. Yes 29
2. No 20
If yes, how would you like to receive the newsletter?
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Via email? 21
To collect from your preferred surgery? 2
From the village shops? 7
Via the Much Hadham Health Centre web site? 2
If you have any views on the newsletter please write your suggestion here:
Reminder of flu jabs, new nurses etc.
I enjoy the section in the Much Hadham newsletter
Do you have thoughts, ideas or questions etc about the Much Hadham Health Centre and its local
branches that you feel we would benefit from knowing or being made aware of?
Suggestion box
PPG to prioritise and consult re growing problem of elderly patient’s health and well being that are
specific to a rural community.
Inform relatives of patients with long term conditions that it is possible to have their written
permission to share results, advise etc????
For students with long term medical conditions co-ordinate information and results between uni and
local clinic. Have a simpler system e.g.: just sign that you’ve returned rather than fill in a form, telling
a student that they should have got their medication from the university clinic isn’t helpful, makes
one feel that local clinic is trying to save money/is uncaring/doesn’t understand the practical
problems of distance etc.
It runs very smoothly
I would like the dispensary staff to acknowledge one’s presence, even if they are in the middle of
doing something and then be friendly and personable when they do serve you, politeness costs
nothing, nor does a smile
Regular reviews
Receipt of blood test forms so that this can be done before a doctor’s review would save everyone
time and wasted expense. A formal system does not appear to exist.
I would like reception to answer the phone with their name e.g.” MH Surgery, Elaine speaking, how
may I help you?” then we can say thank yours etc or helpful for follow up.
Any sharing is good – getting people in touch with each other – Age UK advise, Counselling and other
services available, worldwide news such as polio and measles info, international development
section (Gillian Price)
As you get older and can’t always drive I wish that we could have blood tests done
Although I regularly use the internet and online appointment bookings would seem a natural
progression, I feel that speaking to a receptionist is useful both for me and others.
You provide an excellent service, the pharmacy facility is invaluable. Some general staff can be too
officious.
Doctors on call each day.
I think you are all fantastic and do a great job, we are so lucky!
Longer time should be given for appointments as doctors and nurses frequently run late.
What is your gender?
1. Male 18
2. Female 34
Which age group do you fall into?
0 – 15
16 – 30 3 31 – 45 7 46 – 60 11 61 – 75 15
What is your ethnicity? (Please state)
White/British/English 44
White European 1
Are you disabled or a carer? (Please state)
Disabled
2 x Have a blue card
Carer
76 – 90 1 over 90 years 1