Frome Medical Practice

Is one of the main reasons I have decided to pursue this blog. These are my views, and are purely subjective. I make no claim to special insight or knowledge merely personal experience.

Reported to be the largest single GP practice in the UK, serving in excess of 33000 patients from a brand new 10 Million Pound building owned by the Practice, it's proponents claim it to be on the cutting edge of Primary Care provision; an example for the future of the NHS.

For the Patients however, there is a very different story. This institution operates more like a very poorly run Private Clinic than a NHS Primary (GP) Care provider. Although Patients are 'registered' with a GP who is then part of a 'team' of Doctors, reality is that you may never actually see your Doctor. In my experience, with anecdotal evidence in support, an appointment to see a GP takes up to a week. To see your GP can take a month to six weeks. I have the distinct impression that there are no Emergency GP appointments. Those patients are referred to the Walk-in Minor Emergency Clinic in Frome NHS Hospital next door.

So, what we have, after nearly two years is a nice new White Elephant (all be it with adequate parking), being staffed and operated as a monopoly for the benefit of it's GP shareholders with scant regard for its Customer/Patient needs.

Frome Medical Practice, its time to put up or ship out! Provide the Primary Care that your 33000 patients require of you or make way for those who will.