Ripon Spa Surgery

Find it absolutely ridiculous that you cant call to make an appointment to see a dr with a receptionist and get a text to say what your issue is and that call back can take up to a week absolutely shocking surgery ive never know a drs like it and ive lived all over the country.

We are so fortunate to have such an outstanding surgery. From first contact with the Reception to the Nursing and Doctor team, everyone is caring and compassionate. The system of having a phone conversation with a Doctor works really well and the care received is always very thorough. Thank you Dr Mat.

My phone number is either blocked, or someone has been on the phone a while. I am currently trying to inform them that I will not be attending my blood test that was scheduled for today due to the way the receptionist handled a situation last week. I am severely needle-phobic, this is on my notes and has been through several practice changes. It is readily accessible to receptionists, I know this as I have been anaemic for years, so lots of blood tests. I was running late as because I am so terrified of needles I tend to drag my feet a bit if nobody can take me. I called, informed them that I would be around 5 minutes late, the person I spoke to said this would be fine, so I continued on. I arrived at 7 minutes past, waited at the window for around 6 minutes and then was told that I would not be allowed to see the nurse. I became a little agitated because I had so much adrenaline from being terrified anyway. I explained that I had spoken to someone, at which time I was told that I had not spoken to anyone as "that would be logged, we ALWAYS log that". Well clearly not! I struggle with anxiety so being accused of lying made me even more upset. This woman spoke to me as if I was a child throwing a tantrum and not an adult that needed a little bit of compassion. Had she actually been nice to me I wouldn't have been upset. I told her I thought she was acting discriminatory toward me and she snorted and said "sorry you feel that way". I left the practice having been essentially forced to rebook a test and immediately had a panic attack. I will not be attending this test, and I will be changing practice. The doctor was lovely, but I do not feel comfortable going to a place where the receptionists care so little about phobias and mental health.

The problem lies with receptionist (with black hair I believe) "I can't deal with this I have to take another call""actually we don't close at 5" in a very rude voice etc. Same receptionist my partner dealt with on the day his mum died and wouldn't be helpful when it came to her situation. Perhaps it could have been avoided. Then trying to sort out my partners appointment to get him in urgently. He was fobbed off by them when it came to needing antibiotics etc from a chest infection turning into pneumonia. Which possibly his mum caught too. He wore a mask around her everyday to try and help. But if he could have been seen too this could have been avoided. I understand doctors are working there hardest but the first person you speak to when you ring a doctors surgery has to be compassionate and not speak to you like dirt on the bottom of a shoe. Please look into that receptionist it sounds like it's the fault in the structure. We saw doctor Mcavoy because thankfully I know when something is getting serious so I pushed. He has now got meds etc. The doctor was so lovely just please sort the receptionist!

My husband & I have been at this practice since we moved to Ripon over ten years ago. I have a few medical conditions and take quite a lot of medication. We are registered with Dr Matt,and find he is always there to help us when needed. I have always found the receptionists to be helpful and caring. I would recommend this practice to anyone.