janduplessis886/england-nhs-gp-reviews huggingface dataset:
GP surgery review: sundon-medical-centre
Title: worst practice
Rating: 1 out of 5
Visited: January 2023
I rarely ever go to the doctors for many things. However i never miss a smear test as i have had abnormal cells from screening and have to go to the hospital for more tests and a biopsy. I have been trying to book in a smear since November 2022. They have cancelled it nearly 5 times now! Absolutely horrific making me wait weeks and weeks nearly months to have a smear test!!! Especially knowing the severity of them and the fact mine are abnormal and they are supposed to be keeping a close eye on them. Receptionist are rude and are not bothered at all. This surgery are the worst and i will not be returning to them and will ensure everyone i know knows about their horrific service and their rude staff.
GP surgery review: sundon-medical-centre
Title: Shocked
Rating: 4 out of 5
Visited: January 2023
I have a chest infection and needed either an oppointment or a prescription for antibiotics. I initially phoned general enquiries to ask if I needed an oppointment or could just get a prescription. I got through on the phone, past all the messages, phone was ringing the a message came on "This Box Is Full, Try Again Later." . I phoned back this time on the appointments line, again got past the messages was number 1 in the cue then a message said no more appointments for today if its an emergency please hold and your call will be answered. Then to my shock it said "this box is full please try later" . So no appointment and no antibiotics guess I will try again Monday or go to hospital. I know lots of people are struggling but to talk to someone is presious. Even if its Just to know why I was calling my Gp or to redirect me else where but to just be hung up on especially when you feel really poorly doesn't feel very nice. At the end of my review I answered 5 questions as I couldn't get an answer I could only put very dissatisfied.
GP surgery review: sundon-medical-centre
Title: I can't get an appointment
Rating: 1 out of 5
Visited: October 2022
I'm desperately depressed, my medication isn't working, I work really long hours so can only call at certain times. I've tried to months to get an appointment but just can't get one. This practice is about as bad as Stopsley, Ashcroft Road. I am just supposed to be depressed and get on with it? What a joke.
GP surgery review: sundon-medical-centre
Title: worse practice ever been
Rating: 1 out of 5
Visited: October 2022
i went to make an appt with gp this morning, at 9.30 am for a child who has fainted over the weekend, and ambulance was called, she, did not need to go hospital because she was conscious, by the ambulance left and adv to see gp following day ,  only to be told there was no appointment available that day, nor next day.   One has to ring in the morning to get an appt, i guess no one is allowed to get ill any other hour in day., Tried to explain to the receptionist, the urgency of it, she did not care or listen,
I had similar experience in past when ever i went to make an appt, I was told its fully booked ,
Afterwards I started going in person at 8.30  am to make an appt and many time , I came  back disappointed.
I am a working gp myself and know the situation of health service very well, but this practice has topped the list of non caring, there must be a way to prioritise or keep some appts open for urgent cases, some one  must take responsibility to short out the presenting cases, otherwise disaster is waiting to happen,
i so disappointed i will go health minister if needed
GP surgery review: sundon-medical-centre
Title: Great service
Rating: 4 out of 5
Visited: October 2022
After reading so many bad reviews on the surgery I have been with many years, I thought I would put my review forward. I have never had a bad experience with this surgery, receptionist, Doctors & Nurses always so helpful, lovely and caring.
GP surgery review: sundon-medical-centre
Title: Nearly impossible to get an appointment
Rating: 1 out of 5
Visited: October 2022
I have tried so many times to get appointments and I rarely get one - often not receiving treatment I need. I've managed to get only 2 booked in within the last year and one was booked in by 111 as an emergency. I had a telephone appointment that was scheduled for the evening around 5pm. I did not receive the phone call until 8pm, at which point my phone was on do not disturb and I was not offered another appointment after I complained.

You can only book a doctor's appointment for the current day and you can only make those appointments if you call and manage to get through at either 8am or 2pm. Often all the appointments are gone within 5 mins of them turning on the phone.

I am currently stuck with medication that has nasty side effects and I have had to stop taking this medication. I cannot get an alternative medication since only the doctor can change the prescription! I now have absolutely no treatment for my current conditions and there is no way to get it without an appointment. I am suffering at the hands of this surgery and I wonder why I am even having to pay National Insurance in the first place because it's certainly not worth it for me, and anyone else at this surgery.
GP surgery review: sundon-medical-centre
Title: Awful Poorest of the poor
Rating: 1 out of 5
Visited: August 2022
Had a phone appointment for my 5 weeks old babies was called around 18.30 Monday and asked to send photos but now is Wednesday 11.50 no call back.When I call all I get is your on the system and doctor will call you back.Asked them to see the duty doctor and reply is call us back later to book an appointment .Why if the receptionist can see what’s on the system no any other doctor in the surgery can review and give my babies their treatment or why can’t they automatically call me to come in but I have to call them on a line that you can barely get thru and when or if you do,after almost 40 minutes waiting on the phone appointments will all be gone
GP surgery review: sundon-medical-centre
Title: They don't care
Rating: 1 out of 5
Visited: February 2022
This medical centre is just useless ,for example I'm trying to contact with them since 2 weeks and they don't answer or they have no appointments already , I'm calling always on time and I'm spending more than 1 hour on the phone trying to contact with them .  It's very hard to get treated there . I definitely don't recommend , if you respect yourself and your health , go find another practice
GP surgery review: the-oakley-surgery
Title: Poor communication
Rating: 1 out of 5
Visited: December 2023
Promises made that urgent referrals had been soon weeks ago only to find out that they hadn’t. I’d imagine that most of us don’t want ‘special service’ but we do demand professionalism and honesty. Disappointed is an understatement
GP surgery review: the-oakley-surgery
Title: Poor Service
Rating: 1 out of 5
Visited: November 2023
Never given face to face appointment. Unhelpful staff. Poor service. 3 years old child with throat and chest infection was give telephone appointment and without physical examination, it is unlikely to get proper service.
GP surgery review: the-oakley-surgery
Title: Surgery’s receptionists are rude
Rating: 2 out of 5
Visited: October 2023
Needed Appointment for my child and me as we had the same Infection. Called  at 8am just to be told only one of us can get the appointment as limited appointments are available so...
GP surgery review: the-oakley-surgery
Title: Impractical & Rude
Rating: 1 out of 5
Visited: March 2023
This surgery’s receptionists are rude and they have a ‘rule’ that only one patient per household can book an appointment each day and it’s the responsibility of the household members to prioritise which medical condition is most urgent for that day to take the appointment. They also claim this has been a rule across all NHS GPs for 2 years and it’s the first I’m hearing of it. It’s impractical and borderline (or perhaps completely) unethical to be refused medical care simply because more than one person in a household exists. This was also never made clear on any paperwork upon registration.
GP surgery review: the-oakley-surgery
Title: Very bad customer service from receptionist
Rating: 1 out of 5
Visited: October 2022
I called for an appointment and after about 15 minutes in the queue, the line got disconnected. Called again and after over 18 minutes on the queue the line got disconnected. Called again and after 1hr20mins got connected to the receptionist. After the initial conversation, the receptionist was rude when I query why I was put on hold as I was not informed they were doing so. They got defensive when I raised my query and put the phone down. Their excuse was "Do you want to listen to the conversation between me and the doctor". Surely if they are talking to someone else, they should inform the patient waiting on the phone and then put them on hold. I ended up having to drive to the surgery to get a phone number for the emergency eye clinic. The doctors are good but the receptionist let the whole service down.
GP surgery review: the-oakley-surgery
Title: Fantastic Surgery and staff
Rating: 5 out of 5
Visited: April 2022
I have been a patient of The Oakley Surgery for many years and have always been extremely impressed and appreciative of the level of patient care I received. The surgery staff and doctors always go above and beyond what is required. They constantly exceed expectations.
GP surgery review: the-oakley-surgery
Title: Poor Service
Rating: 1 out of 5
Visited: March 2022
Need doctor letter for my son in school. Receptionist told me it will take two week to get  simple doctor note. According to her we are very busy with other patient. That mean my son will be off to school for two weeks. If this is the case, then this is very poor service and wasting people time.
GP surgery review: greensand-surgery-(ampthill)
Title: Lovely staff, poor parking.
Rating: 2 out of 5
Visited: November 2022
I have been registered for nearly 30 years. My few actual visits since lockdown have been appointments with nurses and phlebotomists. The waiting room is almost deserted and there are few clinicians on site. However, the car parking in the vicinity is awful - why? There are plenty of spaces but all occupied.
GP surgery review: greensand-surgery-(ampthill)
Title: Face to face appointments
Rating: 4 out of 5
Visited: July 2022
These continue to be good but getting the actual appointment in the first place is becoming increasingly more difficult. Any medical problem you may have is being delayed by lack of available appointments to see a gp, to be seen by msk, to have a blood test at the hospital etc. I don’t come to see you because I want to. It is an actual need.  What can be done to improve this please.
GP surgery review: greensand-surgery-(ampthill)
Title: Great oravtice
Rating: 5 out of 5
Visited: May 2022
Called the telephone appointments line at 8.50...but then also went online and managed to book same day face to face appointment . I was unaware that the online booking opens at 8.50 . Was very impressed at being able to book same day appt. I inadvertently managed to book 2 appts by mistake so stayed on phone line to cancel one. Receptionist was very nice and pleased that I had called. I have never had any problems getting appointments and staff are always very pleasant and helpful. Well done Greensands Surgery. One happy customer.
GP surgery review: greensand-surgery-(ampthill)
Title: Pharmacist great, reception appauling
Rating: 1 out of 5
Visited: March 2022
Having to wait almost a month for a telephone medication review, can't actually tell you if they are going to confirm the medication for you to have in the meantime, ask for information reception doesn't need to know, belittling attitude on the phone, just seem to want to get you off the phone. I have noticed a hernia grow in lockdown and haven't even bothered trying to get an appointment to get it checked out as whats the point, will probably need surgery on it by the time I can get seen.

When I have spoken to the pharmacist she has actually been really friendly and easy to talk to so cant fault her.
GP surgery review: houghton-close-surgery
Title: Great doctors practice
Rating: 5 out of 5
Visited: January 2024
Having started to feel unwell on the 2nd January 2024 went to bed with paracetamol  next day feeling absolutely terrible with a lot of blood in my urine I phoned the doctors at 2.15pm that day explained to the receptionist my symptoms she was  very kind and caring saying I could see a emergency doctor at 4.40pm that day .and asked me to take in a urine sample. Arrived at the surgery 4.35pm the receptionist asked me to sign in .I was with a very professional doctor in her surgery at 4.40 .she asked me for my urine sample and tested it, ask me a series of questions and diagnosed a bladder infection and fever.
She contacted the hospital and requested some antibiotics to be sent to my local chemist in flitwick and they should be there to pick up in 1 hour. Bit of a queue at the chemist but I was back home at 7.15 in bed with antibiotics and paracetamol.  You  can't get better than that ,great service.
GP surgery review: houghton-close-surgery
Title: Very Impressive Service
Rating: 5 out of 5
Visited: November 2023
I needed an urgent appointment and wondered how I would get on.
The service I received was excellent, the receptionist was so helpful and a same day appointment was arranged. The practice nurse I saw was friendly and supportive and prescribed medication. Following test results I needed additional medication which was arranged at very short notice. A closing test was conducted by the doctor without delay. Great Service thank you all so much.
GP surgery review: houghton-close-surgery
Title: Excellent Service
Rating: 5 out of 5
Visited: November 2023
From telephoning the practice to getting an appointment the process was excellent. The doctor was friendly and decisive and I did not feel rushed.This was my first visit to the doctor for several years and I was very impressed. Thank you to all involved in the experience
GP surgery review: houghton-close-surgery
Title: houghton close  surgery i.t. and text system.
Rating: 4 out of 5
Visited: February 2023
i.t. blood pressure (b.p.) reporting over 4 day period via text worked really well. rapid feed back and follow up blood test arranged. results of blood test texted to me with rapid feedback and face to face g.p. appointment arranged using same system. Whole system worked really well. Well done h.c. surgery.
GP surgery review: houghton-close-surgery
Title: A surgery full of experience and kindness
Rating: 5 out of 5
Visited: January 2023
I wanted to make sure you all are aware, that in this stressful climate in health care, that I think your surgery and the people who work in it have always been excellent. 
I constantly hear negativity in the press and around me about the NHS and services, so when a service is excellent, you should be told. Thank you very much for your care and service. It is a you are greatly appreciated.
GP surgery review: houghton-close-surgery
Title: Great experience
Rating: 5 out of 5
Visited: November 2022
I would just like to say, thank you  to all of the staff from the receptionists the nurse that took my blood and yo the two doctors that dealt with me recently. I haven't been at the surgery long, but what a great experience from where l was registered before. Thanks very much  for listening and treating me accordingly. We seldom take time to point out good a experience, so I thought l would. Thanks again. Matt
GP surgery review: houghton-close-surgery
Title: Very helpful with prescription
Rating: 4 out of 5
Visited: November 2022
I left some necessary tablets at home when I went away for a few days, and had to order an emergency prescription.  The receptionist I spoke to on the phone was very helpful and organised this so that I could successfully collect tablets from a local pharmacy the next day.  
Great service.  Thank you very much.
GP surgery review: houghton-close-surgery
Title: Fantastic service
Rating: 5 out of 5
Visited: May 2022
My son has been struggling with anxiety & related issues. Every time I have phoned the surgery, I have been been dealt with quickly, compassionately & politely. We have seen a Dr each time on the same day.
GP surgery review: ivel-medical-centre
Title: Very poor service
Rating: 1 out of 5
Visited: January 2024
Booked an appointment via the online booking system. 6 hours after appointment time I had still not been contacted so I rang appointments and they told me there was a rota issue but said I  would either be called by a doctor before the end of the day or I would be called to arrange an alternative appointment. The surgery is now closed but nobody has contacted me!
GP surgery review: ivel-medical-centre
Title: Seriously, people will avoid the doctors if this keeps up
Rating: 1 out of 5
Visited: October 2023
I have lived in Biggleswade for 7 years and Ivel has gotten progressively worse. I phoned up and was 25th in the queue and they had already run out of appointments. Less than 25 appointments in a day? Ringing up to see a doctor is a nightmare and I dread it. Just think how elderly people feel. It's such an awful experience and I avoid the doctors unless I'm feeling extremely rough. This isn't the way it should be. It is beyond question that Biggleswade needs a new GP clinic. Can a broken NHS and government create one? I highly doubt it sadly.
GP surgery review: ivel-medical-centre
Title: Impossible to get through
Rating: 2 out of 5
Visited: August 2023
Waited in the queue for 2 hrs today only for someone to pick up the phone at 10:05 and cut me off. Tried calling again and voice message said no appointments today and put in the queue as caller number 19. This is very frustrating and disappointing to say the least.
GP surgery review: ivel-medical-centre
Title: Impossible to get through
Rating: 2 out of 5
Visited: July 2023
I was left 45 mins to get to speak with someone to be told as the day before no appointments, suggest tell people by message they are wasting their time before waiting to speak with receptionist. Call tomorrow is all you get
GP surgery review: ivel-medical-centre
Title: Impossible to get an appointment
Rating: 1 out of 5
Visited: May 2023
I've done my best to avoid calling for appointments for the last few years due to the pandemic etc, but recently, my stored up medical issues are starting to cause issues. Not being in a major rush to see a doctor, I thought I'd be helpful by calling ahead and booking a future appointment. Nope, they can't do this... They haven't relaxed their COVID appointment system - You have to call at 8 o'clock like everyone else after an emergency appointment that day. For this I then self referred to the MSC phone service.

I have a day off work today, so I thought I'd call at 8 to get an appointment for another issue. 256 calls later, I finally got through at 8:20 to be out back on a call back list, where I may or may not be invited in to see someone. I work in the public sector where my time out of work is limited. If I can't see someone today, I'll probably wait again until half term, by which point, my issues could develop further.

I'm off to sit in a queue at the Walk-in centre in Bedford.

What has medical provision come to in Biggleswade when it is easier to get an appointment for a cat at the vets?

I hope the new practice managers realised what a mountain they have to climb to regain this surgery's trust.
GP surgery review: ivel-medical-centre
Title: Disappointing service
Rating: 1 out of 5
Visited: April 2023
Can’t get through. I have called tirelessly for the last 3 weeks to book an appointment which you have to do first thing in the morning. When you do get through during the day. You’re advised to call back in the morning where you have no success. It seems there is no winning to claim a simple appointment. 
Disappointed in the service!!
GP surgery review: ivel-medical-centre
Title: Impossible to actually see anyone
Rating: 1 out of 5
Visited: April 2023
This practice is failing. Half the time the phone number doesn’t work. Once you do manage to get through, and be prepared to spend half the morning calling, you will be cheerfully told that there are no in-person or telephone appointments left and to call back the next day. I’ve tried for weeks and every day it’s the same message. They refuse to allow you to book a future appointment. All while your symptoms get worse. They are neglecting their patients and hoping that the issue either goes away or gets serious enough to warrant A&E intervention. Conditions aren’t being diagnosed early enough for simple treatments leading to expensive, painful and life-threatening illnesses being allowed to thrive.
GP surgery review: ivel-medical-centre
Title: Terrible
Rating: 1 out of 5
Visited: March 2023
Terrible surgery. Iv been with them for nearly 3 years and its much worse now. The doctors are nice but you cant get to see them. Iv been trying for months to get an appointment. You cant get through and when and if you do you are told to ring at 8am but you can never get through. I even had a text from the surgery to say ring for an appointment and they still wouldnt give me one. The stress of trying to get an appointment and the unhelpfull reception staff can cause one to go into stress overdrive if already stressed. People are getting sicker as they just cannot get an appointment. No preventative treatment. Must be an emergency but then you would call an ambulance wouldnt you. Awful experience. Why they dont give appointments i dont know, the surgery has hardly any patients waiting inside.
GP surgery review: ivel-medical-centre
Title: Used to be excellent, not any more.
Rating: 3 out of 5
Visited: September 2022
I've been at this surgery my whole life. They used to be excellent in all areas and I honestly couldn't fault the service they provided. This was right up until December 2019. Since Covid it's changed. The appointment system is stressful and inconvenient, making over 200 calls just to get through to be in a queue. I don't feel comfortable  having to tell the receptionist what the problem is. Online bookings are virtually non existent, which is a shame as this was a really good way to book an appointment before. I've had to call the surgery several times for an ongoing problem. There is no continuity with the same doctor. You are able to get appointments and the doctor will see you if necessary but when you attend the surgery it's virtually empty. There are only two surgeries in this area and with more and more houses being built there is a huge strain on the doctors.
GP surgery review: ivel-medical-centre
Title: Terrible service
Rating: 1 out of 5
Visited: August 2022
Having rung the previous day for x ray results, I was told to ring next day to make phone appointment. 
After over 200 attempt finaly got through at 5 in queue.
After reaching 1 in queue and waiting for 20 minutes at 9.00 I was cut off.
Will now have to wait untill Monday to go though this extremely stressful process again.
GP surgery review: saffron-health-partnership
Title: Supplying wrong information to over 60 patients
Rating: 1 out of 5
Visited: September 2023
Saffron Health Partnership have posted this statement below on their website: The NHS is not accepting booking as yet for over 60s ..It is misleading and attempts to direct patients elsewhere which they do not deserve,
Covid Vaccinations: Patients aged 60 and over
We have been made aware that the national COVID vaccination booking system is now accepting bookings for anyone 60 years of age and over. Go to [they then supply NHS website].
Patients do not need to wait for a letter they can simply book using their NHS number and Date of birth.