Comments on: Baby steps, but steps nonetheless

By: J Mark Dodds

J Mark Dodds — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 23:34:56 +0000

Dagmar, perhaps Phil G was thinking Dentist rather than Food? But hey. Hair clippings probably work as well in dentistry as in bas cuisine.

Life’s a joy isn’t it?

By: Dagmar

Dagmar — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 08:08:36 +0000

They say the food there is full of hair clippings to bulk up the protein content.

By: Phil G

Phil G — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 12:52:52 +0000

I may go with the Safa neighbours then, thanks.

There’s also that place just up the road towards the church near the barbers. Anyone tried it?

By: Amanda Fuller

Amanda Fuller — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 12:34:47 +0000

Phil G — I recently registered with the dentist near Safa. I’ve a ten month old baby so treatment is free for me at the moment. I expected to be fobbed off with a bit of a scale and polish but she couldn’t have been nicer or more professional — took an impression to make something for me to wear at night to discourage teeth grinding, x-rays to see if I’ve any ‘hidden’ decay, gave me a really thorough clean and polish and booked me in for a filling next week. I’m very impressed so far.

By: butterball

butterball — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 13:32:52 +0000

@ Liliana

This is an excellent time to sell. At the top of the market the banksters are looking to spend their massive bonuses on property, which is dragging the house price average up a little. But mid-range, there isn’t much on the market to compete with. When the banks eventually call time on deliquent mortgages, stressed sales will hit the London market and drive prices lower. If there is another round of tax payer handouts to the banks — which insiders say is quite likely — and unemployment continues to soar, the effect will be even more pronounced.

That said, some newspapers are dismissing economic fundamentals and shouting about now being a buyers market. And an ad I just heard on Spotify claims there’s never been a better time to buy. So who’s to say I’m right?! It’s certainly true that the government has structured our economy — and recession strategy — around maintaining high house prices and massive leverage.

By: RobP

RobP — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 07:55:48 +0000

@Phil G
I moved to the dentist by Safa — I’ve only been a couple of times but it seems pretty good.
Very money-focused though — everywhere you look it’s about charges — not like my previous one.
Due back there in a week or so — will give an update.

Tried to find the Thai place (used to be in Seymour’s before they changed it to that ‘wine bar’).
I was told it was on Bellenden Road, but walked the entire length (boy is it long) and nada.
Anyone have any info?
Ended up in F M Mangal — another great meal there — and do like the staff — very friendly — even advised us on where to go when we’re in Istanbul shortly.

By: Phil G

Phil G — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 16:10:03 +0000

SG — Interesting, thanks. Remembered now I did manage an appointment with her years ago by chance as V was away. She was nice, it’s true. Guess her approach encourages repeat visits. My GP mate says a lot of his traffic is the same person block booking again and again, often for depression, elderly care, longer-running conditions etc.

I’ll try her next time but last time they said they’ll only take bookings in that time window, which is no use if you’re ill, and only works if you have a longer-term issue you’re prepared to wait for.

Back to the original poster — I guess I wouldn’t really recommend Drs B and V at St Giles. I’m sure there are some better ones. There are 2 or 3 other GPs working out of the same building. Don’t know their names. You get asked when you sign up which lot you want to go with.

Can anyone recommend a dentist? Is that one near Safa good?

By: sg

sg — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 14:27:54 +0000

@ Phil — yes, in my personal experience –and without wishing to be defamatory — Dr V is one of the rudest people I’ve ever met. Friends say similar, one came out from his surgery in tears. He’s just awful. Doesn’t listen and frankly gives the impression of really not caring about you being ill.

Dr Begley is the total other extreme — very caring, nothing too much trouble, has even phoned me at home as a follow up.

I agree she’s very popular, suppose I get around this by going up to the surgery in perosn to make an appointment with her, and getting in very early in the day. I think her first appointment is at 7am.

By: Phil G

Phil G — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 09:02:15 +0000

SG — interested in your comments about Dr V. Is he the other partner working with Dr Begley? If so I think he is my GP. He’s OK but seems unpopular in that I can always get an appointment, or in a few days at least. Also he plays classical music in consultations, which some might find irritating. Not a great listener either.

Anyway, my main beef with this set-up is that I can never get an appointment with Dr Begley. There seems to be some sort of ridiculous situation where she’s so popular that once a week you have to ring up at a certain time on a certain day and you then have a tiny window to book her up. That’s if you can get through to switchboard when this rush is on.

I can only guess that she has a lot of long-term sick, young mums or whatever on her books that must like seeing her time and again. Maybe they should set up some sort of lottery draw so that we all get a change to see her.

As a GP service to me this is virtually useless. In fact thinking about it now I quite resent being registered with an outfit where I can only ever see one GP, so I may look into alternatives. On the other hand, I don’t mind Dr V. Had better for sure, but there are worse.

By: Phil G

Phil G — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 08:44:19 +0000

Back from a short trip to S France. Well expensive there, and even if the pound hadn’t been so down it still woulda cost.

So, The Observer has caught up. Expect an influx of foodie types to our little secret. And remember, your friend Phil G gave you the lowdown on it way back.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2009/sep/06/chinese-restaurant-silk-road-london