janduplessis886/england-nhs-gp-reviews huggingface dataset:
GP surgery review: the-albion-surgery
Title: brilliant dental practice
Rating: 5 out of 5
Visited: April 2022
been dealing with albion clinic for last six months, from receptionist to the dental surgeon beccy everything has been amazing,so thank you very much.
GP surgery review: the-albion-surgery
Title: Great service
Rating: 5 out of 5
Visited: February 2022
I did an e consult yesterday morning, had a phone call at lunchtime and was in the surgery by tea time. I have had similar experience last year when I was with a consultant within 2 weeks of an e consult. I have been with this practice many years and have had no problems.
GP surgery review: sydenham-green-group-practice
Title: Impossible to get an appointment, and incorrect advice given
Rating: 1 out of 5
Visited: March 2023
I had been unable to book an appointment for a smear test, trying every now and then, regularly reminded by texts from Sydenham Group Practice to do so.  I tried phoning many times - 30 to 50 minutes waiting time on the phone, listening to a repeated message saying it was easy to book ‘exclusive’ appointments (what other kind are there?) via the Ask First Ap. I tried the Ap, which tells you when you use it that Sydenham Group Practice does not offer nurse’s appointments via this portal. I tried via Patient Access (which appears below the words “book an appointment” on the surgery's website). I saw a message saying I had reached a permissible limit on making appointments this way, despite not having made one for at least two years.

At the same time, I contacted the front desk using their on line form enquiring how I could get my repeat prescription, as this had vanished from Patient Access, and was told by text from the Assistant Practice Manager that I needed to make an appointment for a medication review. I replied “how”, given the problems experienced? I received no reply. Contacting the same person a few days later, telling her I had had no success with phoning or using the Ask First Ap, I was told to “try signing out and in again”. Of course, I had already done that multiple times, even trying in the middle of the night to see if it made any difference and trying out different permutations in the tick box answers required. Do you want advice/ treatment/referral/other? It made no difference, there are never any appointments.

I called again on 24th March and got to number one in the queue – then the phone rang and rang and no-one answered. I emailed the Practice Manager – no reply yet, six days later. 

Eventually today, I got through, using two telephones simultaneously. When I explained the difficulty I had had, the receptionist told me that Sydenham Green Group Practice is not offering any appointment bookings on Patient Access, but the receptionist could not explain why the website invites you to do so. She also said that it is not possible to make an appointment for a medication review via the Ask First Ap, yet I had been instructed to do that by the Assistant Manager. The doctors – if you get to see one – are good. But the management of this surgery has been baleful for a long time but it is simply beyond a joke now. And yet they are looking to take on more patients!
GP surgery review: sydenham-green-group-practice
Title: Unhelpful GP service
Rating: 0 out of 5
Visited: March 2023
My husband recently had his gall bladder removed in Abu Dhabi (amazing treatment). Last week he had a pancreatitis recurrence and was hospitalized in Basingstoke ( pretty good treatment here). They asked for him to get repeat blood tests on Monday at home. We got a face to face appointment on the Monday.  
You need your blood pressure taken they said - we don't do that her, go to a pharmacy. So a gp has no equipment with which to spend a minute taking a blood pressure? What if the pharmacy said it was not good? Go and see your GP.... Utter nonsense.  
We don't sort blood test here - go home and log in. Which we did and booked it at the same practice for Friday - a whole eek after the hospital requested it. More nonsense. What if we had no internet or laptop?  
No wonder there is disquiet about the nhs. These sort of things are just rubbish.  
The phone line is no better giving info that is clearly out of date - eg your appointment will be only via telephone.  
Seriously not good enough.
GP surgery review: sydenham-green-group-practice
Title: Friendly and reassuring
Rating: 4 out of 5
Visited: February 2023
I spent the expected long time waiting to get through this morning, the receptionist was helpful and polite and even though there were no appointments she reassured me that I’d get a call back- which I did. The person who called me back was thorough and was able to make an appointment with the duty doctor. He was understanding and patient with my four year old son. Thank you Sydenham Green Group Practice
GP surgery review: sydenham-green-group-practice
Title: Frustrating booking system
Rating: 0 out of 5
Visited: February 2023
I joined the queue for an appointment for my daughter at 8:00am. I was told after a lengthy recorded message I was no. 36 in queue. After 1 hour and 8 minutes my call was answered to be told there were no appointments and to call 111 or go to urgent care centre.  
I was very disappointed to hear this and asked how many operators were answering calls; I was told 4 and that operator was not able to comment on any information regarding how long calls took to answer.  
Your recorded message is still telling callers that Sydenham Green is not offering face to face appointments.  
Why can’t the recorded message change once all appointments are taken to save time for callers?  
So frustrating to wait to hear no appointments when you have a sick child
GP surgery review: sydenham-green-group-practice
Title: Not user friendly.
Rating: 1 out of 5
Visited: January 2023
I have been trying to book appointments for the last year now to reduce my medication and I cannot get through.

I finally got through to somebody for them to tell me that they don’t book appointments at any other time then 8 o’clock in the morning or through the app, both of which I have been unsuccessful with. I think this needs to be looked into as I have been taking medication for longer than I have wanted to because I cannot get through to somebody to reduce it.
GP surgery review: sydenham-green-group-practice
Title: Appointments require stamina or tech savvy
Rating: 3 out of 5
Visited: November 2022
Having been asked to make an appointment, it seems I must phone each morning to wait 30 - 45 minutes in a queue to be advised that no appointments are left.  I must stress I have never encountered rudeness from the staff  who are dealing with an impossible situation and I try to manage my own frustration after listening to the repeat announcements grating my nerves.  An attempt to connect through the Ask First App resulted in being advised that I had to phone the Surgery.   I have been with this Surgery since its inception and previously encountered none of these problems and all staff went out of their way to be helpful.  The pandemic, grouping of Practices and the changing regulations on how services are to be delivered, have adversely affected this Surgery's ability to meet the needs of its growing patient list.  I  hope the 'normal service' can be restored but presently I feel unable to access reasonable medical care here.
GP surgery review: sydenham-green-group-practice
Title: Telephone Appointments
Rating: 1 out of 5
Visited: November 2022
Following a text message asking me to make an appointment with a doctor, I tried for three consecutive days to make this appointment.  I rang at 8 am each day and, by the time I got through, all appointments had gone.  There is obviously a problem with the ratio of doctors to patients and yet the website is saying they are willing to take on more patients.
GP surgery review: sydenham-green-group-practice
Title: What is being done?
Rating: 1 out of 5
Visited: October 2022
After having experienced  -  again - being spoken to very rudely by one of the receptionists  I would like to agree with the other patients who have highlighted in their reviews the fact that they have been spoken to in an unacceptable manner by a member of the reception team. 

I don't normally write reviews, but have decided to do so as I have been so taken aback by  a couple of my interactions with a practice staff member.

To be clear, by 'unacceptable' and 'rudely',  I do not mean that the receptionist has been unable to resolve an issue to my liking, but that the tone of voice,  choice of words, and general attitude, was not all what you would expect from  anyone dealing with members of the public, let alone a professional medical receptionist.  

I accept that we all have 'bad days', and I  am sure that the reception staff are under pressure and have to deal with some difficult situations. However, it is very apparent that  at least one of the reception staff's ability to deal courteously with patients is, at present,  sadly lacking. I have experienced this myself on more than one occasion, and also witnessed this  in the surgery.

I don't know if patient calls are randomly monitored by the surgery -  as they  are in many organisations  - 'for training purposes', if they aren't , I would suggest that they really should be. 

I wonder what the surgery is doing to resolve the two issues that arise repeatedly on this site ie 

a) the tremendous challenge faced by patients in trying to get  an appointment  - I have been  trying to arrange one  for some time now without  any success. It really is very stressful. The situation does not seem to be improving in any way.

and 

b) the manner in which patients may find themselves spoken to once they manage to get through to the surgery.

Finally,  to ensure fairness in my review, I would like to highlight the fact that one member of the reception team is unfailingly helpful and friendly, and that I find other interactions with reception staff  to be perfectly civil.
GP surgery review: sydenham-green-group-practice
Title: Very difficult to get an appointment
Rating: 3 out of 5
Visited: October 2022
I phoned the surgery at 8 a.m. and got the 'line engaged' tone which cut out after a minute - line dead. I kept trying to phone but same result time after time. Finally got through to be told I was 'caller number 38 in the queue' which means no hope of getting an appointment of any kind. I have COPD and my lung health is getting worse, but making contact with the surgery to get it looked at before it's serious enough for a trip to A&E feels impossible. I tried the app several times as well, but no luck there either. Only alternative is to queue outside for half an hour or more until the surgery opens, regardless of the weather. Standing around in cold winter weather with a serious lung condition only stands to make things worse. At the very least, ditching the 'same day only' appointment system has to be a consideration, surely?
GP surgery review: sydenham-green-group-practice
Title: Appointments
Rating: 1 out of 5
Visited: August 2022
I cannot get through have been trying for 10 days when I did get through was told the pharmacist had no more appointments and to call back in two days how am I meant to get a medication review when the pharmacist has no appointments and ask nhs said they had an appointment for 14/10 took my phone number then said nothing is available and to call back later tbh I have now given up
GP surgery review: vale-medical-centre
Title: VeryGood Doctors But very Poor Service
Rating: 2 out of 5
Visited: June 2023
At this point I am relying on this practise for medical support , having been fit until a few weeks ago. It is true my distressing as I have logged in many time time in patient access but told the app is not liked to the vale. There is a systemic problem , I have logged the problem twice with patient access and spoken to the practise several times . If a patient access system is only working for a proportion of patients it is in fit for use and a dangerous, especially when I was told that the vale are going to increase their reliance on the app which has systemic flaws. The only way I can see a doctor is if I line up by 7.30 and then there are only 5-10 appointments available as that’s on the day. If I telelephone at 8 am when the practise opens there are 40 people waiting . There is no triaging . You can only make an appointment on day if you téléphone or line up and then there is patient access that tells me my practise is not linked to it. And reception staff seem to have their head in the sand and insinuate it’s the patients problem . That is patronising and victim blaming
GP surgery review: vale-medical-centre
Title: Should be 0 stars: No appointments ever available
Rating: 1 out of 5
Visited: April 2023
Yet again it’s proving impossible to get an appointment at this surgery, 3 weeks and counting at this point. 

I’m on the app booking page on the dot of 9pm but by the time you press confirm (even when using a single word descriptor for the reason) the appointment is no longer available. 

On the phone at 8am and this morning I was 32 in the queue and as ever, after waiting 40 minutes, I’m told all appointments have gone. 

It’s unacceptable, like many, many other members of this surgery, I need to see a GP and I simply can’t.
GP surgery review: vale-medical-centre
Title: Good practice all around
Rating: 5 out of 5
Visited: April 2023
After reading the review history I had to write my family experience. Yes, they are under pressure but this is not the practice fault. The country needs more GPs full stop. We have been at this GP surgery since 2015 without any complaints. My  very old father has received great care and I am very grateful.
GP surgery review: vale-medical-centre
Title: Not sure where this practice is heading...
Rating: 1 out of 5
Visited: April 2023
Same as majority negatives below, 48 in the queue ( seem to be the number), got through after 45min and told to go to another surgery. No space for 'negotiation'.
Also this is not the first time, last time I had to negotiate just to get a txt from gp let alone to be seen...
GP surgery review: vale-medical-centre
Title: A GP surgery in crisis.
Rating: 1 out of 5
Visited: April 2023
Despite listing 10 GPs on their website, I have today been informed that there are currently only 2 in post, (to serve the needs of 14,000 patients, apparently) and so getting an appointment at all was a herculean task, which involved lengthy and heated negotiations with the receptionist. However, once I actually got to see a GP, I was met with the most extraordinarily aggressive and hostile attitude from her.  She clearly hates her job, did not want to be there and did not want to help me.  I understand the pressures that doctors must be under at the moment, but taking out their frustrations on patients is just unacceptable.  Health Care Professionals should, at an absolute minimum, be professional.  There was nothing caring or professional about my experience today.  This is clearly a GP surgery in crisis, failing patients at every level.  Sadly, (so much has already been written in reviews about the telephone system and lack of Patient Access facilities) I was not able to get through on the phone line to get the email address of the Practice Manager, to whom this feedback is very much directed.
GP surgery review: vale-medical-centre
Title: Impossible to get an appointment
Rating: 2 out of 5
Visited: March 2023
Whilst I appreciate there is a shortage of GPs at the moment and the NHS is struggling, I have been trying to get an appointment for my 18 month old and I am finding it impossible to get through to anyone. Despite calling at 8am, I am no lower than 48 in the queue, I work full time and can't spend half my morning on hold. I registered with with this GP when my son was born and previously had several very positive interactions with them. I am now having to use my partners medical care through work as I just can't get hold of anyone. He will be due vaccinations soon, so hopefully someone picks up!
GP surgery review: vale-medical-centre
Title: How does a person actually see a DR here?
Rating: 1 out of 5
Visited: January 2023
You are unable to get an appointment unless you call precisely at 8am, which I have attempted to do so several times. This morning for example I was placed on hold for 35 minutes and when answered was told that they were now fully booked for the day and there were no remaining appointments. This example is not the first time this has happened when attempting to get an appointment with a GP at this service.
When I enquired as to how precisely one is supposed to get an appointment when their procedures to do so don't work I was referred to their "Patient Access" website which, upon checking does not allow me to simply book an appointment to see my GP. I have several matters I need to look into however -  None of these services or indeed a "general appointment" is offered as available to book by this practice through the "Patient Access" portal. 

I was then referred to A&E -  which is not appropriate for what I am seeking.  
The service offered here is woefully inadequate.
GP surgery review: vale-medical-centre
Title: Great service
Rating: 5 out of 5
Visited: January 2023
Thank you for the excellent service I received from the practice recently. I was able to book an appointment for my daughter on the same day via the patient portal, was seen promptly and a diagnosis confirmed. I received the prescription from the pharmacy next door, the whole process took less than 30 minutes. I know GPs are very stretched at the moment so a huge thank you from me.
GP surgery review: vale-medical-centre
Title: Well done
Rating: 5 out of 5
Visited: December 2022
Dear team,

I thought I would send a quick note to say myself and my family were very grateful for the appointment you facilitated with the doctor. We had been really super worried between Christmas and New Year about our young daughter V who had been unwell for some time and had had an angry rash with no explanation. As we turned up late in the day without an appointment we could reasonably have been turned away but the receptionist was helpful and the doctor we saw really took the time despite being evidently tired (and pregnant). 

I am sure you are all feeling an immense pressure but it may be worth remembering that the really excellent work you do is recognised and important.

with best wishes,

The Fs
GP surgery review: vale-medical-centre
Title: Surgery is appalling now
Rating: 1 out of 5
Visited: November 2022
This surgery never recovered from Covid. You call at 8am and you are caller 49 in the queue. By the time you get to speak with someone all appointments are gone 'try again tomorrow' is their motto. 'Oh and you can also book appointments on the patient access app' - those appointments released at 9pm and gone in a nano second. Patients simply cant get appointments to see their GP about some really serious conditions and this surgery is a farce.
GP surgery review: wells-park-practice
Title: Patient care
Rating: 5 out of 5
Visited: April 2023
Wells park practise has done so much for my mental n physical health 
They listen and provide treatments to access with current or preventing certain illness 
Always a welcome at the surgery or on the phone 
I can get appointments in person or on the phone 
My family and I are extremely happy with the service we get 
Can’t thank the doctors the nurses n the receptionist teams for working with me for my health centre
GP surgery review: wells-park-practice
Title: Excellent and efficient
Rating: 5 out of 5
Visited: March 2023
I called at 8am, and despite obviously busy phone lines, polite and efficient reception staff arranged an appointment for the same morning. A friendly GP listened attentively, explained the issue and arranged follow up care.
GP surgery review: wells-park-practice
Title: Great practice
Rating: 5 out of 5
Visited: December 2022
Thank you for the excellent and professional attention. I have no words, I can only say that I have never been treated so well, thank you
GP surgery review: wells-park-practice
Title: Lack of appointments
Rating: 2 out of 5
Visited: December 2022
I received a text asking me to book a medication review with the pharmacist on 8th December. When I called there were no appointments available I was advised to call back on the 30th December. Called back today, the 30th December, and yet again no appointments available. Then the receptionist found 2 appointments in January both of which I was unable to book due to having other appointments on the dates. I understand receptionists are under pressure but I did not find the receptionist helpful and verging on hostility when I questioned how I was supposed to get an appointment. No advice was given as to when I might be able to make an appointment and I was told I'd been given 2 appointments but didn't want to accept them. It seems that patients must fit in with the practice's mystical booking system, there seems very little patient care. If a business treated me the same way I would never use them again and after all patients are your clients, you are not doing us a favour, we pay for your service. My text also mentioned that I would not be able to order my repeat prescriptions without a review. So what am I supposed to do? I also needed an appointment with a doctor due to having been in pain for over two weeks. Again no appointments, call back next week. To be honest I had given up trying to make appointments at the practice because it is always the same story and now only do so when in dire need. It is still the same story and hasn't changed. We can no longer book online which was helpful before as phoning never seems to work. Reading the Patient Access page is rather like reading a fairy tale, very little of it applies to Wells Park. The doctors are great if you can get to speak or see them but that is next to impossible.
GP surgery review: wells-park-practice
Title: Extremely difficult to get a nurses appointment
Rating: 1 out of 5
Visited: November 2022
I’ve spent ages calling everyday for the past week to ask for a nurses appointment and been left feeling frustrated
The answer is there are none available
When I ask when will some be available they say they don’t know
When I ask well when are they usually made available they say they don’t know until they appear which is rather irritating, surely the appointment system could be more organised than it is currently. 

I went on to patient access to try to book an appointment as the Wells Park practice website suggests but once on it they just direct you to fee paying services and say Wells Park does not provide the service you require as in you can’t make appointments via patient access
GP surgery review: wells-park-practice
Title: Thank you for really helping me out
Rating: 4 out of 5
Visited: October 2022
I attended the practice for a routine blood appointment last month, however after not being able to get hold of my medication in the days before I was quite unwell. The dr, reception and nursing staff really helped me out to access the right support quickly as they noticed I was in a mental health crisis. They really helped me to book an uber to the right service who ended up taking me to A&E - but I would have never figured this out myself at the time. 

I don't fully remember everything but I do remember your kindness and patience with me whilst trying to figure out how to get the right support for me. Thank you.
GP surgery review: wells-park-practice
Title: Great Practice
Rating: 5 out of 5
Visited: September 2022
I have always had a good level of care from Wells Park Practice. The doctors there are sympathetic, as are the nurses and receptionists. I think they do really well considering the amount of patients they must see. I saw my Doctor most recently and they really helped me with a medical matter, were sympathetic and followed up when they said she would. Very happy with the surgery