03/28/2024

Wales News Online

Local & National News for Wales

FOLLOWING a change in practice management the community health council visited Neyland’s GP surgery to see how patients found the service.

Hywel Dda Community Health Council (CHC) visited Neyland Surgery, on St Clements Road, in September last year, 10 months after it was taken on by Johnston Surgery.

It had previously been managed by the Argyle Medical Group but it had “handed back their General Medical Service (GMS) contract to the Health Board” the CHC report states.

During a visit to the surgery CHC members spoke with 17 patients and survey forms were also left for others to fill in. Some 40 were returned and a further 20 completed online.

A report on the visit, published this week, states that “the people who shared their views and experiences with us were positive about the care and treatment provided by the healthcare staff in their GP practice.”

It highlighted some areas suitable for change including introducing a telephone system that told patients what number they were in the queue, a way of checking in electronically and increasing parking.

There are 6,400 patients registered at the practice with three GPs covering both Johnston and Neyland, as well as nurse practitioners and health care assistants at the main surgery.

Most spoken to found that it was easier to get an appointment now but some felt an option to book online and make appointments further in advance would be a benefit.

The size of the waiting area was highlighted as a potential problem, especially when it came to speaking to receptionists privately.

“Nearly all people told us that the staff were helpful and polite and they were very happy with the staff working at Neyland,” adds the report.

Included in the report is a letter from practice manager Marcia Kidney which says that the telephone and booking system was being looked into.

There was “little scope” to redesign or extend the surgery or parking as it is leased from the Argyle Medical Group, she added.

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