janduplessis886/england-nhs-gp-reviews huggingface dataset:
GP surgery review: the-red-house-group
Title: wasted jouney
Rating: 3 out of 5
Visited: July 2023
i have difficulty in the mornings  getting showered and dressed and am slow, however i do not appreciate been made  fool of been told on phone and 2 text messages to say i have  10.20 appointment only when i got to the nurse for my blood test i was told i did not need one. Thanks a lot for yet another blunder
GP surgery review: the-red-house-group
Title: Extremely poor, no concern for well being
Rating: 1 out of 5
Visited: June 2023
This practice has deteriorated rapidly in last 2-3 years. Despite having intrinsic at-risk health profile, I haven't seen my GP in 2 years. Always cancels my appointments at last minute and then have to wait weeks to get another one. If I use urgent appointments then it is a different GP each time. Each one recommends different medication. I have become a guinea pig. There is absolutely no empathy or concern for my well being.
GP surgery review: the-red-house-group
Title: Very quick appointment
Rating: 5 out of 5
Visited: June 2023
I phoned at 9 am this morning with a query and was offered a face to face appointment at 11am. Amazing. The appointment was punctual and very thorough. I was able to raise a further query which was also acted on. I am very pleased with the service at the Red House.
GP surgery review: the-red-house-group
Title: Phone system dreadful
Rating: 1 out of 5
Visited: December 2022
It's bad enough having to wait half an hour at best to speak to someone. When the surgery doesn't do what you requested and you have to call and go through the whole process again, its very draining.
GP surgery review: the-red-house-group
Title: Great job
Rating: 4 out of 5
Visited: September 2022
Great job with the flu shot. Worked really well I was in and out in 2 minutes. 
However your telephone service needs improvement. Half hour wait is way too long.
GP surgery review: the-red-house-group
Title: Diabetic review
Rating: 5 out of 5
Visited: May 2022
Really impressed with my diabetic review this morning, bloods were taken without me going to Watford General, all associated diabetic checks done & I needed to speak to the receptionist about an update to details being shown online, all dealt with swiftly and efficiently. Thankyou.
GP surgery review: the-red-house-group
Title: Observations on 'Anonymous  Reviews'
Rating: 3 out of 5
Visited: May 2022
Addressing the amount of reviews which highlight a regular theme. Whilst it is difficult to give satisfactory answers without knowing the full/facts details, or indeed the patients name, one has to ask why patients wish to remain anonymous! Quite rightly all staff at the 'Red House' should be treated with respect, not be subject to abuse or threatening behaviour. It would appear that some patients have not felt they have received  the same level of respect.
GP surgery review: the-red-house-group
Title: Great service
Rating: 5 out of 5
Visited: April 2022
Excellent service from all the staff can’t fault them. Always polite always helpful and no issues with getting either face to face or telephone appointments
GP surgery review: bancroft-medical-centre
Title: Excellent, very flexible service today
Rating: 4 out of 5
Visited: January 2024
My husband visited the surgery on my behalf this morning, as I have been quite unwell. We needed some urgent information, and staff went above and beyond to fulfil our request. We really appreciate your flexible approach, particularly in view of the huge time pressures you are all currently working under. You made a huge difference to my day. Thank you so much.
GP surgery review: bancroft-medical-centre
Title: Cannot get appointments
Rating: 1 out of 5
Visited: April 2023
We've been registered at this for several years, and until recently it's been acceptable. However, in the last six months, it's been almost impossible to get routine appointments. You need to ring at 8 a.m. and usually end up in a queue of 30-60. However, the line is prone to dropping, and you end up having to rejoin the queue. We have young children who require the occasional appointment. However, this surgery is now worse than useless - it's simply a waste of your time. We now depend on private services. Very frustrating
GP surgery review: bancroft-medical-centre
Title: Terrible Appointment line
Rating: 3 out of 5
Visited: April 2023
been hanging on their Appointment Line now for 35 minutes just to make an appointment with a Nurse. Started off at 21 in the Queue and Still only number 13 !!!  Unbelievable !
Surely there must be a Better way ???
GP surgery review: bancroft-medical-centre
Title: Persistent Failure
Rating: 1 out of 5
Visited: April 2023
This practice is simply not fit for purpose. Getting a face to face takes weeks and can include sitting on the phone for 30 minutes. Telephone appointments can also take weeks. Put quite simply, the practice is failing its patients.
GP surgery review: bancroft-medical-centre
Title: Very helpful and patient
Rating: 4 out of 5
Visited: January 2023
Thank you to the prescription team for their patience and professionalism in dealing with repeated issues with my HRT supply and quantity, such as last Friday afternoon. You’ve always resolved things - thank you so much.
GP surgery review: bancroft-medical-centre
Title: Friendly practice.
Rating: 5 out of 5
Visited: July 2022
I have been a patient of Courtenay House for years - (now Bancroft Medical Centre). Despite the recent huge pressures on the GP practices nationally, this practice tries so hard. 
I have had to have many GP - and occasional Specialist Nurse - consultations this past year - mostly down to Long Covid  complications. All have been courteous and helpful. I don't speak to the same doctor each time, but seeing as there is a national GP shortage, I don't expect to.
Secondly, the pharmacy team are amazing. I recently had trouble finding HRT patches. I had tried so hard - but unsuccessfully - to find a chemist who would supply them. A member of the pharmacy team phoned a local chemist on my behalf and found some. Thank you!
Last, but not least, the reception staff are kind and professional. This job is frontline and difficult but the reception team have always treated me with respect.
Thank you all.
GP surgery review: bancroft-medical-centre
Title: Good Practice
Rating: 3 out of 5
Visited: January 2022
I have generally had good service and advice from this practice. I have been a patient for three and a half years and a few weeks ago went to change my address, which is actually half a mile nearer. I have now received a letter to say that I have to find a new GP surgery as I am no longer in the catchment area. However according to this NHS site, I am in the area. I wish to stay at this surgery as I am in the middle of a referral for treatment at hospital. I do not want to move as I am happy with Bancroft being my GP's.
GP surgery review: bridge-cottage-surgery
Title: Covid vaccine
Rating: 5 out of 5
Visited: October 2023
I attended this surgery for my Covid vaccine and the gentleman who administered it was so pleasant and for once I didn’t feel a thing! Thank you
GP surgery review: bridge-cottage-surgery
Title: No appointments
Rating: 1 out of 5
Visited: August 2023
Received a letter asking me to make a telephone appointment. Called at 8 - massive queue, held on to be told no appointments left, try again at 12. Called at 1158, queue in excess of 30. No appointments left. How am I supposed to get the appointment a Dr has asked to me to make if there are never any left. Start calling 20mins before appointments are released. Very unsatisfactory state of affairs.
GP surgery review: bridge-cottage-surgery
Title: Unbelievable
Rating: 2 out of 5
Visited: June 2023
I called at 8am today - more than 30 people ahead of me. How is this possible?? When I was 15th in the queue there were no more appointments. I hung on, as I have a painful condition needing immediate antibiotics (I have been told this by my Bridge Cottage GP in the past) only to be told to call back at 12pm when I might get a slot in the afternoon. The receptionist suggested that, if I considered it urgent, to go to the Lister!
In desperation I have gone to a private on-line GP  for antibiotics, which I suspect is what the surgery and the NHS are hoping for.
This system is completely broken!! What have I been paying for over all these years?
GP surgery review: bridge-cottage-surgery
Title: Good service
Rating: 4 out of 5
Visited: May 2023
Tried the e consult and very pleased with result . Gave symptoms , tel call received and appt booked for same day . Dr provided antibiotics for problem . All very efficient .
GP surgery review: bridge-cottage-surgery
Title: Exceptional service
Rating: 5 out of 5
Visited: February 2023
My wife telephoned for an appointment at 8am. Saw GP at 10am. Blood test at the QE2 the same day and scan at the Lister the next day. GP telephoned to feed back on the findings the same day. Appointment at the Lister for treatment the following week. Primary and acute health care at its best.
GP surgery review: bridge-cottage-surgery
Title: Poor systems
Rating: 2 out of 5
Visited: January 2023
Waited many weeks for a blood test for my daughter but, despite the phlebotomist being available for the appointment, we could do nothing as the forms weren't on the system. After telling us this, these were printed out and we  told to re-book at the QE2. Don't understand why these couldn't just be handed to the phlebotomist in the surgery today as it has wasted everybody's time when the NHS is so busy.
GP surgery review: bridge-cottage-surgery
Title: Difficulty booking a cervical screening appointment
Rating: 4 out of 5
Visited: January 2023
All health professional care received from this practice for myself and my family has been excellent, I can't fault them. 
After receiving my NHS cervical screening letter I dutifully went online to try and book an appointment with a practice nurse. I am aware that this is not a 8am or 12pm rush-to-book same day appointment need so thought there might be an option to book into a screening clinic or a nurse/non urgent appointment for a few weeks time. It is a shame that this option isn't available online. 
I called the practice and was on hold for 15 minutes, which is fine but then was told there were no nurse/screening appointments available and to call back later in the week.  
This is a worry as there will be patients who will give up at this point, forget to call back or lose their nerve. I don't feel like this experience is in line with the national narrative regarding cervical screening- particularly 'Try not to put off cervical screening. It's one of the best ways to protect yourself from cervical cancer'.
GP surgery review: bridge-cottage-surgery
Title: Good . . . If you can get an appointment!
Rating: 2 out of 5
Visited: August 2022
Unbelievably difficult to make an appointment.  None are ever available via online booking. Just spent 15 minutes on hold on the phone being told every few seconds that I am still the same number in the queue - just to book an appointment!  Complete an econsult and told to phone to book appointment.  Vicious circle. 

Staff and doctors are good, if you can ever speak to them.
GP surgery review: bridge-cottage-surgery
Title: Excellent G.P. care
Rating: 5 out of 5
Visited: June 2022
As a patient for over 20years, I have had two named G.P.s.  I have had excellent care from both with very quick referrals for tests and other
opinions, but I have most valued being listened to and having my 
own knowledge of my health issues respected.
Since Covid, the phone system has been dire, involving multiple attempts, waiting in numbered queues then nothing being available.  Fortunately the system has changed now.
Receptionists have varied. Some are very friendly and apologetic that they cannot offer more appointments.
The Doctors' photographs, which used to be displayed ,have now
disappeared. This is such a bad move as I feel it further de-personalises the service. I am sure that most of local residents want
a relationship with their G.P. over time, however competent the other G.P. colleagues are.
GP surgery review: bridge-cottage-surgery
Title: Wonderful Practice
Rating: 5 out of 5
Visited: June 2022
I have been with Bridge Cottage since 1999 and have always found all the staff, whether admin or clinical, to be great. They take the time to listen to the problem, discuss various different forms of treatments/options, respect your decision(s) and action them. I have never been disappointed or let down by anyone working at Bridge Cottage and would certainly recommend it to anyone looking for a surgery to attend.
Thank you all very much.
GP surgery review: regal-chambers-surgery
Title: Proactive service
Rating: 5 out of 5
Visited: September 2023
I find all aspects of the service provided at Regal Chambers to be significantly better than at the previous GP surgery I attended in Letchworth. Much more proactive about helping me manage my health issues and I would definitely recommend the GP’s, nurses and reception staff - all of whom go above and beyond to help. The only minor criticism is that, when a referral to an NHS consultant at a local hospital keeps getting cancelled and rebooked months later, it is frustrating not to be able to message a GP about possibly getting referred elsewhere to be seen a little sooner given that it is a diagnostic appointment. Perhaps a general email address to write to that can be filtered by admin to allow a GP to address this sort of issue would be something they would consider as booking a telephone appt seems to be a waste of time for something that could be handled more swiftly via admin? Regardless, the support at this surgery has been much better than typical NHS support and that has been the case consistently since I joined in 2012. I would definitely recommend. Thank you all.
GP surgery review: regal-chambers-surgery
Title: Statistical impossibilities...
Rating: 2 out of 5
Visited: November 2022
When I speak to the GP about symptoms and a potential cause I may have, the GP laughs and tells me that it is statistically impossible that I could have the condition and it is not worth their time carrying out any diagnostic checks. I should just see how I get on over time. Then some time later it turns out I do have the condition and it has gone untreated for a period of time and is now severe. This has happened to me several times with this GP. They are unwilling to do what needs to be done. An extremely poor service and a bad attitude. Letters are frequently lost by the reception staff and need to be replaced. Prescriptions are not issued until being asked several times. Doctors and nurses routinely turn up late for appointments, even at the start of the day. I do not feel in safe hands here.
GP surgery review: regal-chambers-surgery
Title: Good Service
Rating: 5 out of 5
Visited: August 2022
I like the ring back service to speak to reception.

The call from the doctor gave me useful information about my condition.
GP surgery review: regal-chambers-surgery
Title: nurses are superstars
Rating: 5 out of 5
Visited: August 2022
been having to see the nurses daily for weeks and they have been such a godsend.
doctors have been supportive and understanding and shown compassion.
really made a positive impact in my life and helped me so much
GP surgery review: regal-chambers-surgery
Title: It’s a shame as the staff are working very hard
Rating: 2 out of 5
Visited: May 2022
I left a review recently stating the practice as unusable. Since then I have been in for my appointment and had a response from the surgery. Both of which helped to clarify a lot.  
I had several appointments one morning, whilst waiting, I heard the reception staff working and they did not stop for the entire time I was there, putting down the phone and immediately picking it up again all morning. It is a shame, being ill I just want help, being on the other end of the phone ringing in every day for 2 weeks I overlooked the fact that someone is working very hard on the other end. However, that they have so many patients it is this busy still poses that it is virtually unusable. On this point, when I did finally get through, I was offered an appointment in a months time or the next day if I used eConsult. Why this is the case is unknown. When I went in and spoke to the receptionist in person I got an appointment that day. During this appointment I was asked to book a follow up with the receptionist, upon saying this was unlikely to happen because of the difficulty booking, the doctor immediately booked me one on their system. Maybe this could be procedural, that the doctor books their own follow up appointments freeing the lines even just a little bit? I understand that when the surgery has maxed out, the message immediately informs of this, but my issue is listening to the doctors message just to find out there is a queue or potential call back. Maybe instead of having to wait through 2-3minutes of the same message, that has now lost meaning and is all but ignored, you could, firstly, put this message after joining the queue, or as you answer the phone when getting a call back? Secondly, as part of the waiting music, include various messages highlighting the investments and efforts made to deal with the issues the surgery faces? Done well, this could help provide insight and understanding. And thirdly, do not say on your message that the surgery has closed for lunch, be specific and say that the receptionists are taking this time to do essential bookings and follow ups (admin).
I dont want it to be an excuse, but to highlight a problem I face, my mental health issues make me very anxious and I do not reach out until desperate enough to do so. Then to be met with such difficulty booking compounds my feelings of anxiety and desperation and I become impatient and frustrated. I feel like I have to remain ill as I know I likely wont have this same drive to call back again, often making serious problems worse, or having to endure the milder ones, not the surgeries fault, but something I find hard very hard to overcome - unfortunately this is indicative of the NHS’ resources to deal with mental health and not the surgeries fault, but one that likely affects the surgery as I imagine others have similar problems. 
Still, I am more understanding of the issues they face, and I will make efforts to remember this. I appreciate the staffs work and efforts.
GP surgery review: regal-chambers-surgery
Title: Impossible to get an appointment
Rating: 1 out of 5
Visited: May 2022
On almost every occasion I have tried to get an appointment all I can access is a message which tells me the doctors have gone past their capacity and I should call another day.
GP surgery review: regal-chambers-surgery
Title: Poor practice where patients as seen as nuisance
Rating: 1 out of 5
Visited: April 2022
They got a new triage telephone system where you phone the reception, then a doctor calls you back the same day, in the theory. 
Fast forward couple years. 45 minutes or more minutes on hold just to get through to the reception. If you finally get though by some miracle, then you leave your details and the surgery doctor supposed to call you back. When they first introduced this system, doctor would actually call on the same day. Now you get a message that the doctor will call you by the end of the next day. Fair enough if they actually did that. If you miss their call, they would not call you again or leave a voice message. Time wasted on both sides...
If you go with online consultation, it is the same non personal approach. 
Receptionist are still unhelpful, they fail to follow the system that was set up, so they no longer can refuse patients to speak to doctors, I suspect.
It is the worst surgery that I have been with. The last surgery I have been with was one doctor surgery in London, with walk-in every day, doctor always had seen me on the day, saved my loved ones lives. I dread to think what would happen if I ever need quick, life saving actions from this surgery, with incompetent reception staff, doctors refusing to refer to specialists or tests when requested or required. It is a constant battle with their unfriendly systems and staff that is not really providing any service. They built these systems so they can alienate patients and separate themselves from providing services that they supposed to do, seeing and treating patients.
I don't even want to go into their rule for the appointment: 'one patient, one symptom'. What sort of illness has just one symptom? They fail to understand, that a human body is one biological entity and often more symptoms or illnesses can appear at the same time, and looking through this rule and simplifing it, serious illnesses can be missed.
I don't have any trust in this surgery and ability to treat patients in timely manners, as they do not offer any routine check ups, or tests, unless coming from other source.
GP surgery review: regal-chambers-surgery
Title: Unusable
Rating: 1 out of 5
Visited: April 2022
It is so unbelievably difficult to get an appointment at this surgery. Every single time I ring in the queue is so long that it is an hour wait, a call back service or a message saying that the surgery is over capacity and is no longer accepting calls (so I cant even book a non urgent appointment), it takes 3 minutes of repeated messages to get to this point and find out my call wont be taken, I finally got through to someone who told me I could wait a month for a call back from a doctor or I could use eConsult and have a call the next day, why this is the case is beyond me, why is it different booking online to over the phone, maybe because then when I tried eConsult there is a message saying it is currently unavailable. So do I now try calling again, or just keep passing out and losing sensation in my arm because I don’t have the mental resilience to keep trying this surgery (having had similar problems to this every single time I try getting an appointment), or do I potentially waste NHS services by going to A&E (having done this before and been chastised for doing so, being told I should not have done as it was not important enough a problem. On top of this, I told the reception my issues, which I think might be quite serious (maybe I’m wrong again), and she didn't seem to agree. At least this is now here in writing should things get worse, help still being unavailable on the 5th day of trying to phone in or go online to get an appointment. 
Moreover, I can not think of/do not come across any company or service that has a 2hr lunch break, yet this surgery does.
GP surgery review: regal-chambers-surgery
Title: Uncaring and uninterested
Rating: 1 out of 5
Visited: February 2022
Suffering from a serious heart condition. The hospital tells me I should be seeking help from my GP. When I speak to the GP all he says is "what do you want from me today?" over and over like I am just wasting their time.
You are a medical professional, I am contacting you for the benefit of your education and experience and to receive some advice. The service you provide is appalling. Despite my salary being drained every month to fund the service I am having to seek alternative private services who are very happy to listen and advise and very helpful.
GP surgery review: the-portmill-surgery
Title: Nurses went out of their way to help me
Rating: 4 out of 5
Visited: October 2023
I went in for a flu jab, the nurses administering the jabs saw I had a wound on my knee that needed dressing and dealt with it. I really appreciate them making the time to look after me on what was a busy day for them. Thank you
GP surgery review: the-portmill-surgery
Title: Seeing a GP
Rating: 1 out of 5
Visited: July 2023
I called portmill to see if I could see a GP.  I have to make a request online.If they think I need an appointment they will let me see someone. I have so many problems I don't know where to start. So it looks like I'm getting no help at all. 
Not helpful