janduplessis886/england-nhs-gp-reviews huggingface dataset:
GP surgery review: new-lyminge-surgery
Title: Appointment system utterly appalling
Rating: 2 out of 5
Visited: July 2022
The doctors and staff at New Lyminge Surgery are all really helpful and caring.
However I understand the need for distant appointments and systems are changing but In comparison to other surgeries I find NLS system unusable to the point I need to move surgery.
Filling out the form is fine and an easy process to use, however then being told you will have had some form of contact by the following day which also I suppose is good. My issue is today my daughter's ear has been seeping and leaking and she is in pain, I filled the e consult and then rang the surgery to be told the doctor will assess at some point today or Monday so I'm sat here thinking shall I go to A and E, or ring 111 so I can ensure I see a doctor today or I sit with a baby in the one spot in my house that has reception so I don't miss a call I hope will come? Why can't you give someone a timeframe?
A few weeks ago I had blood in my stool, filled out an e consult and was got back to to say someone will contact me on a specific day, so I missed the call as I was waiting all day with no time given ,at 5pm i thought well no one's going to call and i bathed my children at 6.00 pm and missed the call, why can't you give a two hour time frame? I still havent spoken to a doctor about the issue as a message was left for me to contact the surgery again and go through the entire thing again.
It is utterly ridiculous you don't give any time frames at all for distant appointments.
How can I make a complaint to NHS England as these two cases are a few of many and it leaves me feeling worried and anxious every time any one of us needs a doctor.
GP surgery review: new-lyminge-surgery
Title: disgusting practise
Rating: 1 out of 5
Visited: February 2022
waited 5 weeks for test results finaly had to sort it out myself with hospital when doctors got results had to wait a week for doctor for doctor to speak to me on the phone
GP surgery review: oaklands-health-centre
Title: Knee injections
Rating: 2 out of 5
Visited: December 2023
I have been in agony all over the Xmas period after waiting a month for injections to my knees because I was told I would be put on the list for the injection clinic which to me seems silly when there are two Doctors there that can do these injections that have done them for me in the past as I never ask for these injections before they are absolutely necessary and when the pain becomes really bad am how I supposed to know when the injection Clinic is held so I can prebook an appointment up until approximately 12 months ago I could get these injections by booking an appointment and getting them as and when needed they take less than 10 minutes to administer which I am sure is shorter than a lot of ordinary appointments.
GP surgery review: oaklands-health-centre
Title: Disappointing & unnecessary delay
Rating: 3 out of 5
Visited: November 2023
On 24 November my wife completed an econsult with respect to obtaining a referral to Benenden for an MRI scan. The response stated that the practice would respond by phone or email by 29 November.
On 30 November at the practice we were advised that it was in hand and we would be contacted if more information was needed.
On 14 November we were advised that the request was with our doctor and I was shocked that it should take 3 weeks to get to this stage. On 19 December I contacted the practice and was advised that the medical secretary had gone home but given the delay somebody would contact me the next day. On 21 December after no contact had been made I again called the practice and was advised that because I had not provided my Benenden number they had not been able to proceed with my request.I queried as to why I had not been advised of this earlier and why nobody had contacted me on 29 November as stated to request this additional information. The receptionist apologized for this oversight and added that my request would be prioritised given the excessive delay. 
On 8 January I contacted Benenden and was advised that they they still had not heard from my practice with respect to my request for an MRI scan. I again contacted my GP practice and was advised that it had been sent that morning by the medical secretary.
In light of the fact that we have waited over 6 weeks for this simple request and that the practice have repeatedly offered misleading advice and failed repeatedly to contact me I have little confidence that my request for a referral to Benenden has been completed.
If it has then I would still appreciate an explanation for the excessive delay. I also hope that the practice can identify why they have failed us in this basic request and take measures to ensure it doesn't happen again.
GP surgery review: oaklands-health-centre
Title: Happy to make the change
Rating: 4 out of 5
Visited: October 2023
We recently transferred from a Folkestone practice because of the appalling way it was run, which appeared to be entirely for the benefit of its staff, and have been very impressed with the services received from Oaklands..   Very helpful reception staff and the e-consult system has resulted in my seeing various practice nurses very promptly  who have been professional and caring.    Early impressions are that Oaklands is  a well managed practice and we are happy that we made the change.
GP surgery review: oaklands-health-centre
Title: terrible, no dury of care
Rating: 1 out of 5
Visited: May 2023
they only want to not take appointments.  I did an econsult last week, sent photos the burse called back and said she would book me an appoint with the doct. today i called again and tehy said nothin had been booked, i said can I book and appointment and they said nothing for 2 weeks, when i said that wasnt fair they said take it or leave it.   This happens every time, genuinely I dont go to the doctors now with stuff I would of gone with before as it is just such a nightmare.  If anyone is reading this just call and try and bok an appointment, honestly, you wont be able to.  Absolutely awful service and they just say you cant talk to me like that and hang up if you try and say its not good enough.   if you go on there website the link for leaving bad feedback is deliberately broken
GP surgery review: oaklands-health-centre
Title: Outstanding service
Rating: 5 out of 5
Visited: March 2023
This is not my surgery but I was referred for dermatology. Both the member of staff calling me to book the appointment and the one taking the skin picture were both kind and brilliant at their jobs because I told both of them I thought it was clearing up and I might be wasting their time but they were positive and encouraging. Turns out it's a severely atypical mole and it does need progressing so I am forever grateful to both these wonderful people. Thankyou.
GP surgery review: oaklands-health-centre
Title: Noticeably improved
Rating: 4 out of 5
Visited: February 2023
A little while ago I would not have recommended Oaklands to anyone looking for a doctor after several bad experiences and finding it impossible to get help when needed. However I have definitely noticed, over the past 6 months or so, big improvements in being able to speak with someone, and getting things sorted out quickly, through using econsult. I don't know what has changed in the process, but whatever has been done to improve patients' experiences, it is making a noticeable and much-improved experience. Thank you!
GP surgery review: oaklands-health-centre
Title: Excellent Practice
Rating: 5 out of 5
Visited: February 2023
I have been with this Practice for many years and have always found all staff to be friendly and very helpful. I have had two appointments this week, one to see a doctor who could not have been more helpful and today attended for a minor operation. Both the doctor and nurse who looked after me were excellent. I cannot praise them enough.
I feel really sorry to see that they get upset by some of the comments made by people who are only too ready to criticize them without knowing how pressured they are.
Thank you for being there for us.
GP surgery review: oaklands-health-centre
Title: Disappointed
Rating: 1 out of 5
Visited: January 2023
I’m a new patient patient in this surgery and so far my experience with them hasn’t been great particularly the female GPS they are very cold and dismissive and don’t make eye contact. Want to quickly get you out of the door. It’s been shocking actually
GP surgery review: oaklands-health-centre
Title: Lovely practice
Rating: 5 out of 5
Visited: January 2023
I visited the minor illness clinic today and the two nurses were very kind, helpful and gave good, practical advice. I really appreciated their time.
GP surgery review: oaklands-health-centre
Title: Great service from e-consult
Rating: 5 out of 5
Visited: December 2022
Both my husband &I had an almost immediate response from the nurse practitioner via e-consult thank you
GP surgery review: sun-lane
Title: practice
Rating: 5 out of 5
Visited: May 2023
The staff and doctors have always been of the highest standard.
Considerate and very competent.
Thankyou
Steve
GP surgery review: sun-lane
Title: Awful
Rating: 1 out of 5
Visited: March 2022
Can't get an appointment for love nor money. Daily released appointments and all gone within 11 minutes. Utterly ridiculous and completely unhelpful.
GP surgery review: white-house-surgery
Title: Excellent communication
Rating: 5 out of 5
Visited: September 2023
I was waiting for X-ray results. I spoke with a very friendly but professional lady and we agreed if there was anything severe, someone would be in touch. A doctor called me today and followed up with a text message as I was out! Result is moderate so there was no need to phone but same doctor agreed to an X-ray and then followed up with both phone call and text to briefly explain and offering further consultation if necessary. Thank you very much. I am most grateful.
GP surgery review: white-house-surgery
Title: Kind and Caring practice
Rating: 5 out of 5
Visited: August 2023
I have complex health issues and the  Whitehouse Surgery was excellent in quickly seeing me , diagnosing or referring me to the relevant specialists. The Doctors are patient and kind,the reception staff and nurses are efficient and friendly. I highly recommend this surgery.
GP surgery review: white-house-surgery
Title: Recorded message
Rating: 2 out of 5
Visited: January 2023
Since, on your website you state that econsult is not operating at the surgery, shouldn't your recorded telephone message say this too?
GP surgery review: white-house-surgery
Title: 5 Stars for this doctors surgery
Rating: 5 out of 5
Visited: July 2022
Having just moved to the area, this was my first time using the White House Surgery. The telephone was answered after just a few rings, the receptionist was polite and efficient, and then the doctor called back within 2hrs. The telephone consultation with the doctor was very thorough, her manner was friendly & caring and she really helped me to understand what was causing my daughter’s symptoms.  She was really great, one of the best doctors I’ve come across. The prescription was arranged swiftly and was ready to collect from the chemist across the road in no time at all. I can’t praise the GP surgery enough; compared to the last surgery we used they were far, far better. Really great first experience and based on this, I would be extremely likely to recommend this GP surgery to others. I’d also say registration with the surgery was straightforward and efficient too. Well done!
GP surgery review: white-house-surgery
Title: Never see you in person
Rating: 2 out of 5
Visited: June 2022
I'm generally supportive of COVID measures and the pressures on NHS services. But I increasingly find this a very stressful surgery to use for me and my children. They seem to have an incredibly strict/impossible criteria to actually get to see someone in person: they are either dismissive of conditions as being normal etc (even when chronic/prolonged) or they say you need to have a referral or go to hospital. So basically you're either too ill or not ill enough to get through their door. I find the nurse practitioners particularly do this.
GP surgery review: white-house-surgery
Title: Utterly disgraceful reception staff
Rating: 1 out of 5
Visited: May 2022
The receptionists at this surgery  an utter disgrace. Having already been through their triage process at 8.30 this morning and received a call back. The clinician I spoke to made an error and neglected to actually prescribe my recommended medication. When I called back seeking to urgently speak to someone to get my medication today - I was told I’d have to go back on the triage  list and might not get a call back today. I am unable to accept calls for the next three days due to my work so I am potentially without much needed medication until my next day off. Even though a member of the team has made a serious error, I am the one who is suffering. Apparently they are not interested in rectifying their mistakes and actually treating me. The receptionist hung up on me twice while I was begging her for help. This surgery used to be good but the awful reception staff are making it a mockery.
GP surgery review: downs-way-medical-practice
Title: Now the worst surgery in the area
Rating: 1 out of 5
Visited: December 2023
After calling 111 who referred me to the surgery for appointment. I rang on a Wednesday and was offered Saturday. I'm 76yrs had a v high temperature a severe cough, trouble breathing and had the cold since November it kept coming back worse each time. No hope of seeing anyone for 3 days!
It's the same story for many in the community now. Very poor service.
GP surgery review: downs-way-medical-practice
Title: Good practice
Rating: 4 out of 5
Visited: September 2023
I have nothing but good to say about this practice. I sent an econsult and within 20 minutes I had a face to face at 10 o’clock that morning where things were sorted that I’d tried to get sorted for ages. I found everyone nice and friendly. I had to make another appointment so I sent an E consult and got another face to face for the next day. I have only been at the practice since July but I think I made the right choice.
GP surgery review: downs-way-medical-practice
Title: Round in circles
Rating: 2 out of 5
Visited: March 2023
Assuming that though persistent my ailment is not an emergency I have tried eConsult for advice but found it consistently 'unavailable'.  So I turned to NHS 111.  Answered a number of questions, of which more than 90% were inapplicable and finally received the instruction, "See your GP".
GP surgery review: downs-way-medical-practice
Title: Poor service
Rating: 1 out of 5
Visited: February 2023
Can not ring to book appointment, get told to do a call at 8.30 in the morning or a form at 8 am. They say no doctors book appointments till you have a phone consultation. The staff on reception is rude and won't help. Just keep saying ring in the morning.
GP surgery review: downs-way-medical-practice
Title: Dreadful, frustrating and unreliable
Rating: 1 out of 5
Visited: December 2022
Absolute hideous GP practice.  Telephones are never answered, no response from GP following specilaist appointments who specifically advise to see GP.  Have been waiting 3 months to try and get through.  On the very rare occasion i manage to get through its always "try tomorrow and dont turn up as we will turn you away".     This place should be closed down.  Ive been there for over 45 years and its now such a complete disaster its a waste of tax payers money.  There must be sooo many patients who have undiagnosed issues it is extremely worrying for the community.
GP surgery review: downs-way-medical-practice
Title: Poor all round
Rating: 1 out of 5
Visited: December 2022
Face to face appointments are withheld and only a clinician will decide if you get one once you have done an econsult. Econsult is now turned off once they reach a certain quota, before 10am currently. So if you don’t get through on the phone and don’t make it in time for econsult you’re screwed. I feel like the patients are treated with an agitated annoyance that you dare wish to see a doctor. But by far the worse thing I witnessed was a frail elderly person at reception asking for a doctors appointment as she had tried for days on the phone, she was told by reception that it wasn’t possible to give an appointment and to ring again in the morning. Sums it up really when a vulnerable member of the community asks for help and they are turned away. I know other GP surgeries will do this for the elderly but not here, so it’s a matter of decision making by the bosses not what is actually best for the patient.
GP surgery review: downs-way-medical-practice
Title: Frustrating Service
Rating: 3 out of 5
Visited: October 2022
I telephoned for a Covid Booster appointment at Istead Rise. A very helpful receptionist said that the next date was fully booked but come along anyway as many patients fail to turn up. A few days later I rang to check the date of the clinic and the receptionist refused to tell/confirm the date.  She was perfectly polite but steadfastly refused to tell me the date.  I did ask to speak to the practice  manger but was told he was on holiday.  I pointed out what her colleague had said some days earlier but she refused to acknowledge what I was saying.  She offered us dates at Summerhouse Drive which we accepted.  Decided after all to try the NHS site and got appointments at the centre at Canal Basin, Gravesend in 24 hours of going on line. I must state the the conversation did not get heated by either party.
GP surgery review: downs-way-medical-practice
Title: Cannot make contact
Rating: 1 out of 5
Visited: September 2022
Have been trying for some days now to make contact via eConsult but the surgery are always unavailable, the eConsult appointments have usually run out within five minutes of them being available.  The frustrations around not being able to sit with a GP face to face are incredible. What happened to our lovely nhs that cared for the people of the uk? When did we all just become data?
GP surgery review: downs-way-medical-practice
Title: Shocking
Rating: 1 out of 5
Visited: May 2022
I've been at this surgery for a long time and cannot believe how far it has fallen, and not just because of Covid, however that has been used to justify the most shocking changes where effectively you cannot get hold of a doctor, let alone your old regular doctor, or make any type of appointment now. They pushed through econsult forms but switch them off by 9am so everyone has to rush to fill out a form from 8:30 and it's a lottery if you picked. If you work and travel through that time then forget it. I raised this andd was told "if you need an appointment that bad, then you'd not be at work." - great attitude to solving a problem and totally disregards appointments to get scan results, long term problems, potential issues and mental health for a start. If people were to take days off to wait for the appointment here then they'd lose their jobs. When I have visited the huge building seems empty, where are all the registered doctors? I've not seen one regular or GP registered doctor since Covid began, only temps. It's quite a shame as this practice was once efficient and welcoming with patient care and inclusivity a priority. However in it's current state, it should be investigated.
GP surgery review: downs-way-medical-practice
Title: Terrible practice
Rating: 1 out of 5
Visited: May 2022
Request faxing as first option for repeat prescription.
Haven’t received any referrals as per AE requests.
Continuously asked to try a&e for appointments for my newborn.
Receiving repeat letters to book immunisations which have happened weeks ago.
Still waiting on patient online services logins.
Still waiting on a date for scan after 1 month.
As a patient I sadly have no trust or confidence in the surgery.
Asked for referral direct to doctor but have been told no, try x, y, z first. Now a&e services have requested the surgery to refer. 
Occasionally witnessed rude service by receptionists to patients who are also having difficulties with surgery.
Told to call back Monday (when the surgery is shut)
Try another surgery.
GP surgery review: pilgrims-way-surgery
Title: Awful practice - rude reception staff
Rating: 1 out of 5
Visited: November 2023
The appointment system at this practice is awful, do not bother asking for your place in the queue to be held by the time they get back to you all the appointments have gone. I have private healthcare and even that is proving incompatible with this practice service as you can never get an appointment for a referral with appointments taking 3 weeks at least.  The receptionists are vile absolutely rude human beings, snatch paperwork, are blunt on the phone, have absolutely no discretion in the surgery.  I have witnessed them speaking about patients out loud which is a breach of ethics. The reception staff also speak to you like they are medically qualified to determine if you need a doctor or not. My daughter was sent home because of the receptionist only to be taken to A&E with acute tonsillitis that was lucky didnt turn to sepsis. The practice is clearly struggling and very poorly managed with severe lack of staff for the density of the over populated area.
GP surgery review: pilgrims-way-surgery
Title: Disappointed with the last triage
Rating: 4 out of 5
Visited: November 2023
I hope this message finds you well. I am writing to express my concerns about recent medical care at Pilgrims Way Surgery. 
In Oct 2023, I experienced clinical symptoms and sought assistance from my GP, who referred me for some tests. Despite normal results, my symptoms persisted, and I returned seeking further investigation via online triage. The receptionist over the phone suggested a visit to a&e, which I avoided as I did not have shooting pain or anything that would warrant a visit to a&e.

I'm concerned about the receptionist's role in this triage, as it seemed there was misinterpretation between what the Gp advised and what she conveyed and there were perhaps personal inputs from her in the diagnosis and triage which is a bit worrying. With private insurance, I consulted a specialist who got some scans done and diagnosed prostatitis and prescribed antibiotics for 2 months. If appropriately dealt with via the triage, my private insurance excess cost of approximately £400 could have been avoided.

This situation highlights challenges faced by patients without private insurance, emphasising the need for comprehensive and timely care for all. While I appreciate the efforts of the medical professionals, I'm disappointed in the communication and decision-making process at the GP surgery for my medical symptoms.

I kindly request a review of my case, aiming for improved patient communication and decision-making processes via the triage. I think the triage needs to be dealt with more carefully going forward particularly where the patients are reporting persisting symptoms. A&e is not the way out, but further investigations should be considered by the GP rather than the receptionist suggesting to go to a&e. A&e is for medical emergencies, not for diagnosing prostatitis.

Thank you for your attention, and I look forward to your response.