I know that, generally speaking, you don't have a lot of choice of which doctors you can visit. You have to live within certain catchment areas and if you've only got one surgery near you, that's the one you're stuck with. However, there are a few surgeries in Roath and Penylan, and Penylan Surgery is one of the best. It's also one of the biggest and easiest to get to, situated on Penylan Road with its own car park, plenty of street parking nearby and a bus stop just outside.
The waiting area is big - no sitting up close and personal with other sick people - and it's modern and comfortable with lots to read. Of course, you're not there to sit and read Hello magazine, but there's nothing worse than crawling to the doctors feeling like death and having to wait on a hard chair in a loud, crowded room with a bunch of similarly unwell strangers.
The receptionists are lovely, and by far some of the nicest and most helpful I've ever dealt with. Prescriptions and test results are processed quite quickly, and they will always try and get you an appointment when you need one.
If you do join this surgery, there are many doctors available, and, during my time at university with all the wonderful illnesses that students share with each other, I have seen them all at some point. They are all great doctors, but if you get a choice, go for Dr Triggs or Dr Gordon. These two female doctors are amazing. They go above and beyond in their attempts to help you - whatever your problem - rather than just sending you home to "get some rest and drink a lot". read more