Two Rivers Medical Centre - Ipswich

I M.

Been calling since 0800hrs, did not get through until 1130hrs. Spoke to Andrea, who has zero listening skills. Incredibly combative in her communication. Understand, people are experts of their health. When a receptionist has such character, says alot about the clinicians.

marcie M.

A disappointing experience today.
After 15 mins on hold as No. 30 in the call queue, my appt had come through with a nurse practitioner who was running over 10 mins late… then after refusing to refer me for an ultrasound and telling me I didn’t need a blood test to check levels for something else I’d requested, she told me that doesn’t cause the symptoms I was experiencing… Umm it’s a known fact that levels of estrogen can cause the symptoms I was experiencing. The nurse practitioner declined my request to check my levels also my request for referral for an ultrasound and then told me I’d already run over my 10 mins and to go get the bloods paperwork from reception.
The quiet non confrontational person that I am I said nothing and went to reception. No one else was waiting to be seen so I stood by the reception desk waiting for the receptionist to finish typing, she saw me standing waiting but then proceeded to call someone else forward who had just walked in the door… a very very rude thing to do and so unnecessary. So I walked to the waiting line sign, the receptionist didn’t call me forward when she’d finished with the other customer until she was good and ready… then it was with attitude! I asked for my bloods paperwork, she told me they don’t provide paperwork I have to book a blood test online… I said I’d just come from my appt. that the nurse practitioner I’d seen told me I’d run over my 10 mins slot and to get paperwork from reception. Only when I said I worked at hospital did she print the paperwork for me and alter her attitude… funny that huh!
Returning home I looked at the paperwork and I’m baffled as to why the nurse practitioner has ordered a diabetes test and a Coeliac Serology… I have no symptoms that I’m aware of that point to necessitating either of these blood tests… nothing was mentioned of these at the appt. It doesn’t appear that she’s ordered the kidney function test I requested either.
For years I've had a complaint with a suspected diagnosis from a GP… I’d like to confirm that diagnosis with an ultrasound but it appears I have to jump through hoops first.
I have joined Benenden Health, here’s hoping they treat me like a human being.

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Thank you Two Rivers for your response to my initial feedback and your advice to contact the Practice Manager… I did indeed revisit the surgery on Saturday morning and asked to speak to the Practice Manager to discuss the above. I was told by reception staff that “The Practice Manager does not come down to see people in person”.

Lily P.

Recently went to the doctors surgery and waited 30 mins to an hour for an appointment to see someone. When I got called to the room, I was suffering and still am suffering with serious insomnia, I am unable to eat very well and still fear for my life everyday no matter what is happening I am getting worse by the day and am not willing to visit again unless they gave me something for my mental health or even better advice, as I also suffer with anxiety, depression along with extreme paranoia and severe frustration. I also don't need a doctor telling me I need therapy as this doesnt help me, I am not willing to sit somewhere for hours to solve my issues when I have had previous times doing so with private and school funding this made me feel significantly worse,I shall be moving doctors if this isn't solved in the proper manor as I have also been referred to Mariners house for willingly wanting to commit harmful acts to myself for not wanting to be here anymore. Just to be turned away from not getting any medication to help my moods or insomnia.Clearly have no remorse for if I wanted to try to do something again.

Don J.

We can't thank the Pharmacy/Prescriptions team at Two Rivers enough. We are on a support mission to Nottingham where our youngest daughter has just blessed us with a fourth grandaughter. Sadly our stay had to be extended unexpectedly which meant I did not have enough tablets with me. Never fear, after a few phone calls to track down the correct procedure a prescription was on its way to a local pharmacy and we were soon in possession of the requisite tablets to see me through until we return home next week. The whole process took place over a very few hours, what can I say? Once again words fail me but the NHS and in particular Two Rivers this time did not. Marvellous 👍🏻

Karl M.

Despite the mixed reviews I have attended this practise since it was built to replace Lattice Ave. While getting through on the phone first thing is a nightmare (I tend to turn up at 7:50 in person if need emergency appt) the other services and online services they provide are more than adequate.
The repeat prescription online offering is great. The submit your own readings works perfectly well. Booking other appointments online is fine.
When I go for my appointments I am seen in a timely fashion and the care of all the doctors and nurses I cannot fault. It really does seem the main and only gripe is trying to get through on the phone at 8am

James D.

Wrongly diagnosed my dad for 5 months with ‘panic attacks and anxiety’ (he’s never suffered with either in 69 years. Didn’t sleep for three months, hallucinations, insomnia, weight gain.. Doctors simply gave him inhalers. 3 months later when he couldn’t even stand - forced them to do bloods (forced!). Still no urgency form 2R despite going 4 times over these months. Eventually located fluid on the lungs but said it’ll be weeks before someone’s back in contact. No one bothered to really check him over. In the end called an ambulance as he didn’t know what day it was… Turns out he had heart failure and he couldn’t sleep because his lungs were full of fluid. hence the weight gain. He was within 2/3 weeks of a full on heart attack. 4 weeks in hospital and 6 daily meds to take now and back to healthy again. The sheer incompetence and nearly a death on their hands. Should be shut down.

Ben P.

My partner had an appointment booked this morning. He had been staying with me in Colchester due to a recent bereavement, yet we left with an additional 20 mins in order to make the appointment. Due to traffic we arrived at the surgery 9 minutes late. He has mobility issues so I dropped him at the front door to go and check in and then went to park. By the time I got in he was half way along a queue to get to the front desk having tried to use the screen to log in, but not having been able to. Once we got to the front desk we were told, as he had missed the appointment, he would have to come back another day. The earliest they could offer was Monday morning, despite a mother behind us in the queue being offered an appointment for her child tomorrow. The receptionist was not apologetic, was very blunt and even questioned why we had been in Colchester that morning when we explained the delay. If the phone system had an option to phone ahead when people know they are running later to let a doctor or nurse know, rather than spending 40 minutes on the phone as usual, it would be possible for appointments to be rearranged at the convenience of the patient. Considering doctors on many occasions have been well over 10 minutes late to appointments in the past, the fact that patients are only allowed a short buffer is absolutely horrendous. Procedures need to be put in place to allow for things like this, which are out of patients control. It is an absolute disgrace that the surgery can’t be more flexible with patients who already face challenges getting into the surgery when needed. The system needs to change in order to ensure patients aren’t left suffering when forces outside of their control mean they are slightly late to appointments.

Paul W.

Would rate it higher, but not been able to see my GP in a about a.year, don't sign up here if you have a job as they only answer to bookings between 8 and 8:30 so the queue isnimpossible, and they only book within 2 weeks. go elsewhere unless you are unemployed or retired