janduplessis886/england-nhs-gp-reviews huggingface dataset:
GP surgery review: west-road-surgery
Title: Gone Way Downhill
Rating: 2 out of 5
Visited: August 2022
Used to be a brilliant surgery with great doctors. Now you can't get an appointment without creating a fuss. In general the patient facing (non-medical) staff are lovely but they are forced to work to a system which just isn't fit for purpose. When you do get to see a doctor they also are great - it just shouldn't be such a battle to do so. There doesn't seem to be any adherence to a 'duty of care' overall.

Twice in the last week I've had to ring the surgery. The first time I had to try constantly to even get the phone answered only to be automatically put in a queue and then got cut off when the phone was eventually answered at the surgery. I then had to start again and finally got to speak to some one after 90 minutes of trying/queuing, only to be told there were no appointments (in fact, I was told there were no doctors on duty that day but I did get to see a lesser qualified clinician later the same day). The second time it was over 30 minutes before I got to speak to someone. This archaic system means that stress levels for all concerned are immense - patients, having to ring at a time many should be on their way to work or getting ready to do so and then being held in a queue for ages, plus the staff whose mental health must be affected by the stressed patients taking their frustrations out on them when its not their fault.

In my view patients need to be able to ring surgeries at a time to suit the patient not the surgery, the "8 o'clock lottery", as its 'affectionally' known needs to be knocked on the head ASAP. The surgery needs to employ enough staff to answer the calls within five minutes (or less) and office staff must be utilised to answer phones if that target is not being met. There should also be enough doctors on duty to deal with all the people who request to see them. In addition, patients should be able to see the same doctor most times they visit (allowing for holidays and home visit rotas). Since joining this surgery, when seeing the same doctor was the norm, I've been seen by more and more, and different, locums which doesn't give a good continuity of care or allow either side to develop a good professional relationship.

The fact that I, and many others, have felt it necessary to write a review such as this shows the surgery is failing its patients. Please put things right and make patients the top of your priorities as it doesn't appear to be the case at the moment.
GP surgery review: west-road-surgery
Title: Rude receptionist
Rating: 2 out of 5
Visited: April 2022
My son Rang a few days before Easter break for urgent prescription. Was told he would receive a call. Did not happen, just a few days home from hospital after DKA. N Newley diagnosis type 1.  Had to purchase BM sticks himself. 

Rang again 19/4/22. At 8am Same rude receptionist.   Apparently the GP was to ring back at 12 45.
4pm came n no phone call. So again have had to purchase more BM sticks. Got a few days of insulin left. 
At this rate He will end up back in HDU. 

It’s shocking that receptionist don’t pass on information to the GP. 

Maybe receptionist need educating on people’s skills. It’s feels like as a patient you have inconvenienced them by ringing.
GP surgery review: west-road-surgery
Title: Cannot get though
Rating: 1 out of 5
Visited: March 2022
I have not been able to get an appointment for weeks now as it is impossible to get though on the phone and the online appointment system does not offer any appointments.  So far this morning it has taken 6 hours of being engaged, 1 hour in the call queue (position 8 -6) and then cut off.  I fear that if I had got through I would be told to call back (when I have got through there does not seem to be any appointments anyway).  I have not been offered any medication reviews as promised months ago, my request for something from months ago had been ignored.  I realise the NHS are under extreme pressures but I phoned another surgery this afternoon and they answered immediately.  So unfortunately I have no option but to move surgeries to receive the care I need.
GP surgery review: west-road-surgery
Title: Lost touch with community
Rating: 1 out of 5
Visited: March 2022
Trying to get an appointment by phone remains a horrendous experience. Repeated engaged signals after ongoing engaged tones. When you fo get onto the queue you wait and wait and wait.  Not seen a GP there for over 2 years.  The medical staff I've seen are great. But, I've accepted that I'm unlikely ever to see a GP in person, or at all.  My family and I have been with this surgey for over 20 years. The GPs and other medical and support staff used to be great.  You really felt they knew you.  Now, it's just like a (badly run) call centre.
GP surgery review: west-road-surgery
Title: Great Practice
Rating: 5 out of 5
Visited: January 2022
Could not be happier with the level of care I have received here. I have attended West Road for over 30 years and have always been more than happy with them. I have a chronic illness that has got considerably worse over the last three years which resulted with me having to contact them numerous times. I have always been treated with the upmost respect and the receptionists and doctors have always done their best to help me. This week I was poorly again and when speaking to the Dr explained I was waiting for a procedure from the hospital that should have happened in October. The GP said she would chase them up, within 4 days I had an appointment come through for the end of this week. I appreciate it does take time to get through in the mornings but never have I had the phone put down on my as some reviews state. Reading their reviews I do wonder if they are actually writing about West Road or one of the other surgeries in the building as their experiences have no reflection to mine.
GP surgery review: west-road-surgery
Title: Absolutely awful
Rating: 1 out of 5
Visited: January 2022
Review:  Surgery has really sunk to the bottom since two long term GP’s left last year.
It’s unfortunate that the same old rude nasty staff haven’t left.The Gp’s s  just don’t want to see you,and when they do they can not really be bothered with you. 
Dreadful phone line I pity  the elderly trying to get through.. or anybody actually. 
Reception staff  need sacking, heinously rude, unhelpful and sulky looking. There has also be a change in practice managers in fact for a while there hasn’t been one.I have reported them to NHS  England a couple of times but this has not made a difference. 
This surgery is of severe  concern. Also you’ll notice they do not reply to their reviews.
To the staff if you read this just try doing a good job.. for your patients sakes.
GP surgery review: highlands-surgery
Title: Great Practice
Rating: 5 out of 5
Visited: July 2022
Had an appointment with a GP, was able to book in via screen in entrance, short wait, GP came to get me which was nice. I had several ongoing concerns and they listened to them all, checked results of past tests and arranged a couple of hospital tests, to try to get to the bottom of my problems. The GP was very friendly, turned to and looked at me all the time we were talking and listened carefully to what I was saying. A very reassuring and pleasant visit.
GP surgery review: highlands-surgery
Title: Excellent practice
Rating: 5 out of 5
Visited: July 2022
Booked on line a week ahead.  Seen on time.  Thorough and empathetic consultation with definitive investigation/treatment plan.  Not rushed.  Superb.
This surgery is working hard to update processes and systems to give the best service possible.
GP surgery review: highlands-surgery
Title: Absolutely disgusted
Rating: 1 out of 5
Visited: June 2022
I was told like many other patients at highland surgery that they should book their appointment online of which I did last week.
My appointment was for today 06/06/22 at 3pm, I arrived at the surgery on time and waited until 3.45 pm.
I then asked the receptionist why it was taking so long to see the doctor, and she replied that the doctor was actually in the annexe across the road.
She then said that they cancelled my appointment because I was not in attendance? even though I had been sitting there for 45 minutes.
They could not be bothered to inform me that the doctor was not in the surgery, so I lost my appointment.
I just want you all to know that this surgery is an absolute disgrace to the NHS, I for one will be searching for a new doctor.
Absolutely disgusting and unprofessional behaviour by the office staff.
They have no idea what they are doing.
GP surgery review: highlands-surgery
Title: Outstanding Practice
Rating: 5 out of 5
Visited: May 2022
I cannot fault this practice. I have always found the Doctors and Nurses very caring and professional. It seems people are quick to criticise  but rarely compliment when they receive a great service in what has been very difficult times.I would recommend them to anyone based on my experience.
GP surgery review: the-leigh-surgery
Title: The best by far!
Rating: 5 out of 5
Visited: April 2022
This is a surgery where patients really do come first, such kindness and understanding. 
You walk in the from door and are made to feel welcome with a lovely smile. Nothing is too much trouble for the reception staff, if you have a problem, they will do their very best to sort it out.  To go into the surgery, the doctor holds the door open for you, they invite you to sit down, before they do, they 'their homework' before you walk through the door, so no time wasted ogling at computers.
It its nice not to feel rushed, we get the time we need and encouraged to share our concerns.
If we are unwell and need help at short notice, we can guarantee it will be there, no fuss.
The knowledge base of the these doctors is absolutely amazing, they seem to know the answer before we have asked the question, it is very reassuring to have such kind and caring GP's.
Thank you to all the staff and rotors at this surgery, keep up the good work!
GP surgery review: the-pall-mall-surgery
Title: Miscommunication
Rating: 1 out of 5
Visited: September 2022
I am suppose to have an injection to contain my terminal illness but was told I have to pick up the prescription after having it delivered to the chemist the last two occasion due to this could not attend my appointment original appt so we arrange a new one which I attended but the nurse was running over so had to leave due to my own client commitment I the was informed by Email someone called but could find now record I have emailed and rang several time but have had to ring back or been placed on hold. I still have not had my injection and it has been over a week and no one has contacted me
GP surgery review: the-pall-mall-surgery
Title: Great doctors - useless new booking system
Rating: 1 out of 5
Visited: September 2022
I have been with this practice for over 25yrs and have always been very happy with the service and level of care. Since covid my experience of the practice has made me now start to look for a different Doctors. I am extremely capable of using Technology but this new e-consult service is shockingly bad at best. Long process that takes forever and asked the same repeated questions that are just frustrating, particularly when you are feeling unwell. There is no way to choose an appointment time or date with this new system - not everyone works from home full time and can attend the doctors when the surgery suggest. If you try to call to change the appointment you either wait for 30mins plus or, in my case get cut off after waiting 35 mins and then a second call a further 20 mins only to be cut off again. How is this a better experience for patients?! Whenever I am in the surgery there are barely any patients in there, which I assume means that doctors are just not seeing many patients face to face. I have also witnessed the reception desk turning people away who come in to try to make an appointment in person. What happens if you cannot use the internet?? I’m sure that there are many elderly people that this affects and who will not get an appointment because of this ludicrous system. This trial is not fit for purpose in my opinion, although I can see some merit in operating a triage system to book appointments- e-consult simply doesn’t work efficiently and judging by the other negative comments on here, it appears that most people aren’t happy with it either.
GP surgery review: the-pall-mall-surgery
Title: Contact
Rating: 3 out of 5
Visited: September 2022
Frustrating experience today (05.09.22) trying to report a medical issue I have that needs attention. I attempted to contact you via econsult. I was first redirected to NHS111 online to see whether I should continue to contact you. It told me I should, but there was no facility to continue. I repeated the application several times to make sure, always with the same result. I tried ringing the surgery but you would not accept my call. Fortunately I live nearby, so I came to the surgery, and explained the issue. I was handed a form to fill out...econsult with a pen and paper...marvellous.
It just concerns me how more elderly people, and those living some distance away would manage in these circumstances.
GP surgery review: the-pall-mall-surgery
Title: Poor Service / Lack of Efficiency
Rating: 2 out of 5
Visited: September 2022
I applied for a prescription online to which I received a phone call asking me to go in to the practice and see a practitioner. After the consultation it was agreed with a doctor that they would prescribe my medication. I was advised that it would be sent over to the pharmacy later that day. I went to the pharmacy 3 days later to collect the medication only to be told that the prescription had not been sent. I attempted to call the surgery to find out if the prescription had been sent across. I found out that the surgery is closed on the first Tuesday of each month. It does not state that on the answer message that has been left. That clearly says it is open Monday to Friday and closed Bank Holidays. The following morning I called the surgery and they could not see that the prescription had been signed off and sent. I was told it would be sent over later that day. On the second visit to the pharmacy, the prescription had still not been sent. This meant another phone call to the surgery with the  same answer that it has not been issued. I was advised that on this occasion I would receive a text message informing me when the prescription has been signed and sent to the pharmacy.
I rang the surgery today to see if the prescription had been sent to the pharmacy only to be told that it hasn’t been issued to the doctor to be signed off. I was advised it would be done today??
I understand that computer systems can have problems at times but after seeing and speaking to members of staff of the surgery I feel this is a lack of efficiency from them.
GP surgery review: the-pall-mall-surgery
Title: Excellent Service
Rating: 5 out of 5
Visited: August 2022
Love the new e-consultation system. Submitted request at 10am, heard back from Dr by 2pm, didn’t have to be seen, they just sent a prescription straight to my chemist. 
Previously used it and got seen the same day for something that required seeing a Dr face to face. Simple to use and no more being in long queues on the phone at 8am.
GP surgery review: the-pall-mall-surgery
Title: Amazing surgery
Rating: 5 out of 5
Visited: August 2022
When a patient was denied support from his GP Pall Mall stepped in and supported a palliative gentleman by ensuring he was seen and supported in his end of life.  Registered on the same day and seen by a GP same day to ensure that a dying mans dignity was maintained.  Cannot thank the helpful team enough.
GP surgery review: the-pall-mall-surgery
Title: Awful - should not be running
Rating: 1 out of 5
Visited: August 2022
Sadly this gp Practice has lots of potential (merely due to 70% of the Doctors/Nurses) but has hugely gone downhill since Covid-19. 
Prior to the pandemic, you could either phone at 8am or visit the online booking system to book face to face appointments, however during Covid this was stopped. It is completely unacceptable to have to complete an online form (which takes approx. 20 mins to complete) in order to request a face to face appointment. Even then you aren't guaranteed an appointment. If you are lucky to get an appointment, it's not for the day you requested it on or the following day - it is quite often 3 - 14 days in advance! This is unhelpful when someone is suffering with something and wants medical advice but is not urgent enough for a&e. When I now have something wrong medically, I wouldn't even bother trying to get a gp's appointment here as it is pointless - you are honestly better off going to a&e and waiting 6-10 hours to be seen. By making the online booking system extremely time consuming and user-unfriendly, the practice is encouraging people to either become more unwell and untreated, and putting more pressure on the a&e department as people are resorting to this instead!! Disable the E-Consult service!! Will be looking to change local gp asap.
GP surgery review: the-pall-mall-surgery
Title: Gone Down Hill
Rating: 2 out of 5
Visited: August 2022
follow up birthday review blood test,  i hand delivered my blood pressure readings and was told i have to do this electronicaly now so i did as i was asking for them to review my readings for the dosage of my tabs,  a message came back telling me i need to complete a birthday review and more blood tests,  messaged back saying i have already done this,  so i completed again line my readings for them to txt me back saying i cannot ask for a repeat prescription,  someone does not know what they should be doing,  this is causing stress and frustration,  you dont even answer the phones any more.  discracecul surgery!!
GP surgery review: the-pall-mall-surgery
Title: This use to be a great practice
Rating: 2 out of 5
Visited: July 2022
The new e consult form has taken me over 30 mins and I am computer savvy! The first question this review asked is when was your visit to the doctors? if that was only possible.  I had a phone consultations a few weeks ago and was told by the doctor that if the medication did not work to complete the e consult form.
I assumed this would be a simple process.  The symptoms I have did not relate to the symptoms by the tick boxes.  There was also some personal questions about family members and their illness which felt intrusive.  Surely if you have already spoken to a doctor about an on going medical concern there should be a simpler form?
GP surgery review: the-pall-mall-surgery
Title: Booking a Face to Face Appointment
Rating: 2 out of 5
Visited: July 2022
It would be good if Pall Mall Surgery reintroduced SystemOnline where you can book a face to face appointment or even a doctors phone call.  If other Doctors Surgeries in the area have reintroduced the facility for their patients to be able to go on line to book either a face to face appointment or a telephone call appointment.  Why can't  Pall Surgery resume this good online booking system?
Instead there is an e consult form that is not user friendly and time consuming especially if you work.
This form seems to be being used has an alternative to speak to someone on reception or see a doctor.
GP surgery review: commonwealth-health-centre
Title: My experience
Rating: 1 out of 5
Visited: December 2023
45 minutes to wait to be seen doctor was equipt to see patients perscription wasn’t sent when should have been waited over 24hrs
GP surgery review: commonwealth-health-centre
Title: My experience
Rating: 5 out of 5
Visited: December 2023
I got to see the doctor and she was fantastic. Sent me for blood tests that checked so many things. She was very thorough.
GP surgery review: commonwealth-health-centre
Title: My experience
Rating: 1 out of 5
Visited: December 2023
It took almost a week before someone could get back to me when I did Econsult service . Then I called  so I could have my medication review few days  ago I was on hold for over an hour I had to end the call when I got tired .
GP surgery review: commonwealth-health-centre
Title: My experience
Rating: 1 out of 5
Visited: December 2023
Dr said  i could  get blood test  don't  here but  got to get it  done in the hospital  he wasted  my time this morning
GP surgery review: commonwealth-health-centre
Title: My experience
Rating: 2 out of 5
Visited: December 2023
I’am still waiting for my urine test results from 7th of December 2023.
No contact has been made to make me aware of whats going on
GP surgery review: commonwealth-health-centre
Title: My experience
Rating: 5 out of 5
Visited: December 2023
Was welcomed with a smile and friendly hallo can I help you?  The nurse doing my blood test was also friendly and efficent.  My appointment was on time
GP surgery review: commonwealth-health-centre
Title: My experience
Rating: 4 out of 5
Visited: November 2023
Done an econsult and got appointment for next day.
Otherwise you get told to call at 8am which if your at work uou cant do.
GP surgery review: commonwealth-health-centre
Title: My experience
Rating: 5 out of 5
Visited: November 2023
Receptionist very polite and helpful. Doctor polite and had time for you and also explained more of what was wrong and what medication would help. Hopefully for the future it carries on. ?
GP surgery review: commonwealth-health-centre
Title: My experience
Rating: 5 out of 5
Visited: November 2023
The doctor was very thorough when examining me. She gave me lots of good advice. I feel that she listened to me and understood my concerns
GP surgery review: commonwealth-health-centre
Title: My experience
Rating: 2 out of 5
Visited: November 2023
When tying to get an appointment you have too ring first thing in the morning this is not work friendly unable to get an appointment of your choice thus isnt ideal for working people when they give you a appointment its between 10.30 to 3.30 how can you make this appointment while working never had any appointment before 10.00
GP surgery review: medic-house
Title: My experience
Rating: 5 out of 5
Visited: December 2023
The care we received from the doctor and receptionists was very efficient and outstanding. The surgery will always go out of their way to help you
GP surgery review: medic-house
Title: My experience
Rating: 3 out of 5
Visited: December 2023
The admin staff are great. The nurses are great. The physio is great. The doctors who dealt with me are in want. Not once did I see the doctor in person, yet the doctor judged my needs remotely and disagreed with every other medical professional who did actually see me in person. How can the doctor think they can adequately assess my needs above the assessments of every single one of their colleagues who saw me in person? Doctors don’t know their patients anymore and it shows. First call medical care should only be done in person.
GP surgery review: medic-house
Title: My experience
Rating: 4 out of 5
Visited: December 2023
The warmth and care at the appledore clinic was amazing . From receptionist to the nurse everyone seemed so nice . I did have issues at medic house trying to get a nurse appointment with the receptionist  being pretty cold and actually quite rude . Originally told me only 1 appoinyment free in the next 4 weeks and then magically a few more appointments and then when i ask if appledore had any availability i was book straight in . Its like having to jump through hoops to get an appointment  1 day a week for the nurse at medic house is not enough .
GP surgery review: medic-house
Title: My experience
Rating: 3 out of 5
Visited: December 2023
The receptionist at appledore is very helpful and puts you at your ease
The help I have received from the doctors has been rubbish,I have been off work for 5 months with no help or concern from the doctors 
To the point I have gone private to help get a diagnosis,
The doctor has told me they have referred me to mr hearth now I really hope they don’t let me down ,
GP surgery review: medic-house
Title: My experience
Rating: 1 out of 5
Visited: December 2023
Lack of empathy and care, and interest. Didn’t even introduce themselves so no idea if they were a Dr etc. not interested in helping