Ruby Country Medical Group
Holsworthy Medical Centre, Dobles Lane, Holsworthy, Devon, EX22 6GHContact details and opening times
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Reviews
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Review titled Patient services being withdrawn
Rated 2 stars out of 5
by Val Bennallick - Posted on 23 February 2025
Patients at Holsworthy and Hatherleigh are being told on a Facebook post (hardly a professional or compassionate way to alert individuals of important changes) that, as of 1st April, they will no longer take one off, or regular blood samples for tests requested by the hospital treating the patient; this will result in me having to do a 78 mile round trip just for a simple blood test and others having to travel even further. There is a definite unwillingness to communicate with hospital services, share information or work work effectively to improve the lot of the patient. There seems to be only a couple of days a week you can see a GP at Hatherleigh surgery, that's if you can get an appointment and the rest of the time they just seem to be acting as a glorified pharmacy.
Visited February 2025
Review titled Ruby Country Medical Group
Replied on 26 February 2025
Many thanks for taking the time to share your comments. We completely understand the concerns that you, and a considerable number of patients are expressing in regard to the changes we, and many other Devon practices, are having to consider in regard to bloods being requested by hospitals. Our Practice Manager and Partners are working hard with NHS Devon Integrated Care Board and NHS Hospital Trusts to resolve this issue for patients and provide a working solution that will not involve patients having to travel long distances. We have also been in discussion with our Patient Participation Groups and Parish Councils to find an equitable solution. Primary care practices have historically provided hospital-requested blood tests as a convenient, accessible, and patient-centred service. However, without proper funding, GP surgeries cannot continue offering them without compromising their ability to deliver core primary care services. As a practice we will still be providing; *Any test requested by your own GP. *All tests to support managing long term conditions (diabetes, hypertension, mental health, heart disease, heart failure, Peripheral arterial disease, rheumatoid arthritis, respiratory illness, liver disease, kidney disease, stroke) *Any test that is required to follow up a patient after an NHS 111 or A&E attendance. *Medication monitoring bloods. *All Rheumatology/DMARD shared care bloods. We informed patients of this change in a number of ways, prior to posting on Facebook: by patient leaflet at Holsworthy and Hatherleigh Medical Centres, by poster and TV presentation and in our regular monthly newsletter. We posted on Facebook, once all these were in place, as an additional way of informing our patients, wanting to make as many aware as soon as possible. Our social media is very well-used and reaches many people. We apologise for the upset this caused you and came across as lacking in compassion. This was not our intention and will ensure we use this method of communication with all care in future. Thank you again for your feedback. We value our patient opinion, and your concerns are very important to us. Please feel free to contact our management team should you wish to discuss anything further.
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Review titled Appalling service
Rated 1 star out of 5
by Anonymous - Posted on 08 March 2024
After being at the surgery for around ten years I can say with the most certainty and confidence, this surgery have progressively got worse. From the in service from reception to the incompetence from the gps. Apart from my own discrepancies with the surgery, such as repeated failed information or just impossible to get an appointment with my gp.. I recently chased up a referral for a family member to find out it was never submitted in 2021. My relative has been in pain for that period of time . 3 years . I have a lot of respect for the NHS and feel privileged to live in a country that has it. Unfortunately the past few year have led me to want to go private.
Visited February 2024
Review titled Ruby Country Medical Group
Replied on 21 March 2024
Thank you for taking the time to share your patient experience whilst using the medical centre over that last ten years. We are really concerned to hear that we have fallen short in terms of healthcare services to yourself and your family. All such comments are taken very seriously and have been passed to the Management Team accordingly. The demands on Primary Care in the last few years have given practices huge challenges in terms of staff capacity and healthcare service provision. Whilst we seek constantly to meet these challenges head-on, with consideration of all patients’ needs and maintaining the highest standards of healthcare to our patient communities, it is very disappointing to hear that errors have been made, such as the one you describe, and that our service did not meet the required standard. We are always listening to patient feedback, in order to improve appointment bookings, access to services, clinical admin processes, medication review and supply, and referral systems and have implemented changes already this year. We encourage our patients to let us know when we have succeeded and also when we have failed, so we can learn from them and improve. Please feel free to speak to one of the Management Team further about your concerns, if you wish. We want to get things right for you and all our patients.
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Review titled Excellent service
Rated 5 stars out of 5
by Anonymous - Posted on 10 May 2023
Excellent receptionist, took my details, patiently and kindly listened to my issue, reassured that a nurse would contact me. Compassionate nurse rang me , very knowledgeable, brilliant listening skills and tactful.
Visited May 2023
Review titled Ruby Country Medical Group
Replied on 11 May 2023
Thank you for taking the time to share your experience as a patient at the practice. We are delighted to have been able to help you. Letting other people know the service you have received is really important to both our patients and our staff teams. We have shared your post with wider team and it has given us all a real boost. Thank you!