janduplessis886/england-nhs-gp-reviews huggingface dataset:
GP surgery review: chelmer-village-surgery
Title: terrible
Rating: 1 out of 5
Visited: May 2023
don't listen how can they get wrong location of issue evern after the scan confirmed the issue ? 
be ready for many trips back and forth to chemist  guess work when they will sign off persciptions.. then it's not even correct   heaven forbid if you had a serious issue go straight to a and e should be struck off
GP surgery review: chelmer-village-surgery
Title: Cannot get through on the phone !!
Rating: 1 out of 5
Visited: May 2023
I phoned today (18 May 2023) at 11.05am.
I was no.6 in the queue - I got to no.1 at 12noon and thought "great", any moment now. Wrong! At 1.05pm I was still no.1!
Fortunately, in a way, I have earpieces to go with the phone, so could get on with other things. But if I hadn't and/or was elderly, I would probably have got stressed out big time. I was calling about my Father-in-Law, if he had been waiting that long, my wife and I would have heard about it for goodness knows how long. He may have even had another stroke.
"Your call is important to us", the recording says. Huh!
Some patients/relatives would have gone to A&E and clog it up even more than it already is. 
Perhaps CQC should go in and investigate. 
Maybe grade the surgery as poor, put them in special measures or whatever.
I wonder how many patients health has deteriorated through this very poor service?
GP surgery review: chelmer-village-surgery
Title: Excellent Practice
Rating: 5 out of 5
Visited: June 2022
I have been with this practice for over a year now and I am still amazed by their efficiency. They are always willing to help and are very compassionate and friendly. At these times that we all face they are doing an excellent job. Well done to all.
GP surgery review: chelmer-village-surgery
Title: Ignoring patient problem
Rating: 1 out of 5
Visited: April 2022
1 1/2 years moving to Chelmer Village GP with liver cirrhosis never send me to a specialist and I am still waiting. Shame on you shame on your system. Shame on your GP shame on your NHS too.
GP surgery review: north-chelmsford-nhs-hcc
Title: Great personal service
Rating: 4 out of 5
Visited: November 2023
As I am not permitted to name individuals, the Diabetes nurse at this practice is amazing. Personal service, genuinely invested in improving patients lives, as she has mine. The NHS may have some faults, she is the exemplar that rectifies them. Pls bring to her attention.
GP surgery review: north-chelmsford-nhs-hcc
Title: A shame was sooo good till now
Rating: 3 out of 5
Visited: October 2023
Tried to use new triage form before lunch  . It wasn't working then called got out of office. Turns out there was a flu jab session so shut down. And triage form not avail either. When I called and said this was before 12 and that I know this yo bevthe case as I'd sent an email instead was told that had worked for others. Felt that should day on site why not avail and why out of office on. 

Such a shame as perfect till now and have been bragging as to how good its been
GP surgery review: north-chelmsford-nhs-hcc
Title: Unprofessional
Rating: 1 out of 5
Visited: July 2023
i had a phone appointment to request an autism assessment. the person on the phone had no idea what i was talking about and told me autism is a mental health problem and people with it have a low iq. from having family members with autism and working with asd children i know this is not the case.
GP surgery review: north-chelmsford-nhs-hcc
Title: Terrible Service
Rating: 1 out of 5
Visited: March 2023
The person on the other end of the phone was very unhelpful and did not help at all.  I was waiting for a call in the morning, in which I had been told earlier on in the day I would receive a call in the morning.  When I called again I was told I had to wait until 8 pm.  Would not help or find a suitable alternative.   I asked for a manager to call me back and this didnt happen.  This is not the first time I have received no help from members of staff.
GP surgery review: north-chelmsford-nhs-hcc
Title: Caring & kind
Rating: 5 out of 5
Visited: March 2023
When family passed, they were able to swiftly support me with care and empathy. Very much appreciated.
GP surgery review: north-chelmsford-nhs-hcc
Title: Great Experience
Rating: 5 out of 5
Visited: September 2022
I had an acute medical problem and phoned the surgery at 8.00am when they opened.  The telephone system tells you exactly where you are in the queue and although I was number 27, my call was soon answered, and I spoke to a friendly receptionist who took my details and reason for an appointment.

I was offered a same day face to face slot and found the clinician I saw very understanding, someone who took time to listen, examine me and help with my concerns.

The consultation was not rushed, and I was prescribed medication to assist with my condition and a referral was made to treat my condition.

Very happy with the service I received, many thanks.
GP surgery review: north-chelmsford-nhs-hcc
Title: Amazing response – Thank you
Rating: 5 out of 5
Visited: August 2022
I picked my wife up from work, whilst driving home I didn't feel well so I stopped unannounced at the surgery, my wife ran in and explained to the receptionist what was happening, whilst I remained in the car park.
Within minutes I was surrounded by several doctors and clinical staff in the car park, asking questions and doing numerous tests, having completed their tests, they then called for an ambulance, I was admitted to hospital for a CT and MRI scan that concluded I had suffered a stroke.
If it had not been for the quick thinking of my wife and the staff at North Chelmsford NHS Healthcare Centre I might not be here to tell this tale.
Please pass on my sincere thanks.
GP surgery review: north-chelmsford-nhs-hcc
Title: Below Average Practice
Rating: 1 out of 5
Visited: June 2022
Practice rarely has appointments available. Waiting in the call queue for 30 minutes and then hearing no appointments is not patient care. Referrals take weeks to provide, even to private practitioners. Prescriptions are lost. Face to face appointments are refused or avoided. Can never get an appointment with the same GP. Even the medical advise is not satisfactory many a times.
GP surgery review: north-chelmsford-nhs-hcc
Title: Not great
Rating: 2 out of 5
Visited: June 2022
This practice was fine when we first registered around 6 years ago. I don’t know whether it has been budget cuts or new management but the administrative side of things is now rather poor. Results take ages (like 6 to 8 weeks) to be added to your record.  Twice I phoned for doctors appointments in the past year and on both times I was booked in for a call back from the nurse instead. The receptionist had triaged me based on 3 words that I’d used to describe what was wrong. Both times I then needed a call back from a doctor later in the day resulting in wasted time for myself and the nurse.  
The nurses are lovely though, as are the doctors.
GP surgery review: north-chelmsford-nhs-hcc
Title: Good luck getting past reception
Rating: 1 out of 5
Visited: April 2022
I’ve had two issues with this gp practice in the last month and neither times has the issue been resolved. 

The main issue is with the reception team who will literally tell you anything to get you off the phone, you are told to call back at different times and once you call back at the specified time you are told you need to do something else. 
It’s near impossible to make an appointment (even a follow up appointment). 

Once you do have an appointment the doctor does not call, because appointment has not actually been booked. 

The reception team take it upon themselves to decide what care you need so you are never actually able to speak to a QUALIFIED medical professional. 

If you have any other choice, do not go to this surgery!!
GP surgery review: rivermead-gate-med.ctr.
Title: Reception and booking
Rating: 3 out of 5
Visited: June 2023
I am a frequent flyer for 8 weekly injections, and am notoriously poor at remembering to book these in advance of the actual week they are required. Once again I have just called they surgery (minimal wait less than 6 mins) to book an appointment. The receptionist, as always, was polite, professional and managed to secure me an appointment for Friday. So we are quick to moan but not so swift in saying thank you - so today I am taking the time to do just that.
GP surgery review: rivermead-gate-med.ctr.
Title: Disappointing Service
Rating: 3 out of 5
Visited: June 2023
Called to make an appointment. Have done this on various occasions in the past and always, always, having to wait 30 minutes or more before getting through. Today it took 33 minutes to get answered and this was as a result of calling dead on 8am - BBC 1 time & Apple iPad time! I was 23 in the queue once I got through. Had to listen to irritating music until I was answered.  Then, when I did get through, I was told all appointments with my doctor where taken! I only wanted a telephone conversation, not a face to face appointment. I have an ongoing health condition for which I started medication. Having been extremely ill over the weekend I needed to speak to the doctor who I have been consulting with for many months. The best they could offer me was an appointment in over three weeks time. I have had to accept an appointment with  another doctor today who doesn't know me or my condition, so no continuity of care.  I have had to stop taking the prescription drug.
GP surgery review: rivermead-gate-med.ctr.
Title: Incompetent & uncaring
Rating: 1 out of 5
Visited: March 2023
After a severe ankle fracture , the treating hospital referred my case to my GP to arrange physiotherapy locally. Having not heard anything after a month, I phoned the surgery to follow up and told glibly by a receptionist With couldn’t care less attitude that “oh, it could be months yet, they’re busy”. How useless !
GP surgery review: rivermead-gate-med.ctr.
Title: Nasty receptionists.
Rating: 1 out of 5
Visited: July 2022
Like almost every other review on this page, my concerns are focused on the receptionists and administrative staff.

Almost impossible to get on the phone to anyone.  When you do eventually your told to call back tomorrow.  I assume this is shortage of staff and resources.  Perhaps not a problem specific to this clinic but a broader issue.

On two occasions I had to get documents filled out, signed and stamped by a GP for my occupation.  On the first occasion, my form was given to a specific member of the admin team who I was told directly by them specializes in handling these sort of requests.  It took well over a month and a half for my forms to be filled in.  All I needed on them was a number of boxes ticked and a signature.  In my view it could have been done in less than fifteen minutes.  When I called up after endlessly waiting and informed them I was not happy I was given a blunt response as if it was my fault.

On a second occasion, I required an additional and final letter to be printed off by my GP.  Knowing the GP, I asked the receptionists can I have an appointment to sit down with them in person, explain what I require and then have it printed there on the spot.  Once again, something I would imagine would take up no more than ten to fifteen minutes.  They said no.  They further informed me that it would take thirty days to have the letter printed.  After almost one month I made contact with only to be told that the letter had been ready after one week!  I demanded to know why I was not contacted sooner but was bluntly mugged off by the receptionist over the phone.  Upon arrival at the clinic to collect my letter.  I was told that I cannot pay in card twenty pounds for the service but instead need to pay in cash.  I, in anger and frustration, stormed off to the nearest ATM for cash.  When I arrived back the receptionist gave me a warning that she had made a note of my alleged 'bad behavior' on their computer system.  The poor receptionist I must of caused so much offense storming off, boo-hoo.  According to her I should have known to pay in cash as I should have received a text message telling me my letter would be ready.  I tried telling her that it has been almost a month I have never received a text message telling me the both the letter has been ready for a few weeks now and that I need to pay in cash.  Clearly a technical problem exists in which I am not getting SMS notifications.  Did they seem interested in getting to the bottom of that?  Not the slightest.

I finally had it out with them for their attitude and reminded them of the amount of woeful reviews they have on this page which largely focus on them as a team.  As I left they all just laugh and giggled at me in the most septic way possible.
GP surgery review: rivermead-gate-med.ctr.
Title: Great practice
Rating: 5 out of 5
Visited: July 2022
Difficult for the receptionists to try and accommodate all the patients, to try and keep everyone happy. Always found them helpful on the phone. I would like a first name added to any texts that is sent out to patients, to stop confusion. My father and myself both use the surgery, as he is 92 . I take care of his appointments.  When a text arrives from the surgery about appointments , because no name is added, I don't know if its for myself or my father, without having to phone the surgery to check.
GP surgery review: rivermead-gate-med.ctr.
Title: Access lottery - fine if you’re retired
Rating: 1 out of 5
Visited: May 2022
Almost impossible to access this practice if you are working, commuting or have child-ferrying to school / nursery responsibilities.

Prior to COVID this practice offered a limited number of slots that could be booked online in the morning. This was brilliant as involved little time to log on and select. 

Since COVID the practice has moved to exclusive on-the-day bookings for new requests (different if you’ve already been lucky enough to have been seen by one of the team who can book follow ups with you). The practice does not appear to have moved back to more normal access options since the easing of restrictions.

This means you have to start trying to contact them at 8am but you need to be prepared to leave up to an hour to get through and find out if you’ve won the lottery.

The process includes listening to a pre-recorded message about COVID for over a minute before you can select the option to book an appointment. At this point you are often either hung up on or told high call volume and try again later.

If you do eventually get through, it can then be another 30 minutes in the queue to speak to someone and that still doesn’t guarantee you an appointment. You can be told to phone back again at the same time tomorrow.

If they can’t increase the call queue capacity, they should at least get rid of the pre-recorded minute that you can’t skip by. If they still need to play COVID messages, why not do that once you’re in the queue?

Now that the rest of the country has opened up to live with COVID, it would be helpful if they could reinstate some of the previous channels to book appointments that are less time intensive at a key time in the morning for those working, commuting or on the school run.
GP surgery review: rivermead-gate-med.ctr.
Title: When the Surgery keeps you waiting
Rating: 1 out of 5
Visited: May 2022
I Received on May 5th a text from The Rivermead Gate stating that a late morning appointment had been made to discuss some recent test results.
By 12.30 the call had not materialized I cut my afternoon plans as I was going somewhere not telephone appropriate. Still no call.

This is not the first time this surgery has missed an appointment with me, the last time they put it on my NH record that I had missed the appointment. Duh! This really is the most shabby Medical Practice and not to be recommended.
GP surgery review: rivermead-gate-med.ctr.
Title: Inconvenient
Rating: 1 out of 5
Visited: May 2022
Receptionists often sound short tempered and impatient. Getting an appointment is extremely difficult if you work and/or have kids. When you do an appointment it's at great inconvenience because you will need take a day off work, make alternative arrangements for school runs, etc. Very poor service unless you work from home, are unemployed or retired.
GP surgery review: rivermead-gate-med.ctr.
Title: Bent over backwards to help
Rating: 5 out of 5
Visited: May 2022
I came for an appointment with my daughter in wheelchair, accessible! She got her appointment mixed up with physio but they still fitted her in as an emergency.. The receptionist was amazing and helped with booking a few different future appointments needed, the doctor also went above and beyond!! This is my daughters doctors and I'm envious! Mine which is in different town which is amazing but if I could change and come here I would do it in a heart beat 💓 the receptionist needs recognising for what she did for my daughter. Just need to email prescription staff to put her meds on one script now. Never had nhs service like this! 👍 ❣️
GP surgery review: rivermead-gate-med.ctr.
Title: Covid clinic
Rating: 5 out of 5
Visited: January 2022
Attended the covic vaccination clinic yesterday and have to say it was extremely well organised. Excellent service.
Well done Rivermead Medical Centre.
GP surgery review: sutherland-lodge-surgery
Title: Great Seevice
Rating: 5 out of 5
Visited: November 2023
Used the new booking system for the first time. Got a helpful message from the doctor and an appointment booked for the following week. The reception was very friendly even though the renovation work has obviously started. Great leaflet explaining what is happening. This surgery has improved so much over the past few years. Thanks
GP surgery review: sutherland-lodge-surgery
Title: New appointment system
Rating: 2 out of 5
Visited: November 2023
We now have use a new online appointment system, I received 6 text messages yesterday to make an appointment with a doctor within 2 weeks. This I tried to do only to find the new appointment system had closed early as it was over subscribed. How can this be an improvement as it can only be used a limited amount of hours?
GP surgery review: sutherland-lodge-surgery
Title: Unacceptably awful service
Rating: 1 out of 5
Visited: July 2022
Agree with all previous comments, it has not improved.  Promised calls that never happen and continually have to chase them for a response.
GP surgery review: sutherland-lodge-surgery
Title: Awful service
Rating: 1 out of 5
Visited: February 2022
Tried phoning at 9 but all appointments for today are gone despite their recording saying if you are phoning after 11 our appointments are all gone  think it needs updating somewhat,  rude receptionist offered me an appointment in a months time or phone at 8 tomorrow.  Such awful service, dont know how it is allowed to continue.
GP surgery review: sutherland-lodge-surgery
Title: Bad appointment system
Rating: 4 out of 5
Visited: January 2022
Appointment booking system completely unfit for purpose. Went to surgery in person at 0805hrs today and I was told by reception that they do not book in person Appointment- I need to call instead. I called straightafter, had to wait 20 minutes in queue and finally was told that no appointments left - waste of resource and inconvenience for public to run such appointment system, particularly when you refuse at reception and same outcome otherwise - staff and public time wasted on phone.

This is not a complaint about staff - Medical and nursing teams are great. 
Appointment system need to accommodate first come first served (regardless in person or not) and if no appointments left, appointment line should close saving everyone's time. Patient experience starts from basics I believe.
GP surgery review: sutherland-lodge-surgery
Title: Absolutely horrendous
Rating: 1 out of 5
Visited: January 2022
Not a visit obviously but a phone call. After several attempts to even get in call queuing system ringing from 8am after 21 calls I managed to get onto the Q which then told me I was called 19! 49 minutes later I was told no doctor available to call me back but an advanced practitioner would call me back (no idea when). Got call and very difficult to hear, person was not speaking clearly or into the phone, guessing I was on speaker phone and they were multi tasking??? Explained symptoms and then explained again. Was prescribed antibiotics but when collected from supermarket the incorrect ones had been prescribed. This surgery has gone downhill continuously since Virgin took over. Receptionists are rude and uncaring. Phone system is a complete joke! Doctors are not available for a phone call never mind to actually get to see one!
GP surgery review: baddow-village-surgery
Title: Great device
Rating: 5 out of 5
Visited: September 2023
My health problem was sorted out quickly and efficiently. The service I received was outstanding. Every member of staff was helpful and went out of their way to help me with my problem.
GP surgery review: baddow-village-surgery
Title: Efficient
Rating: 5 out of 5
Visited: July 2023
Had an issue with my elderly mother. Surgery was prompt, helpful, and efficient.  Phoned when they said...actually earlier. Kind, considerate
GP surgery review: baddow-village-surgery
Title: Great Practice
Rating: 5 out of 5
Visited: July 2023
I have been a patient at this Surgery for 18 years. I have always been able to get an appointment on the day but I only call when I believe that nothing can be sorted at a pharmacy. I have noticed recently that the Reception team have improved. They have a more caring approach when answering calls. It does make a difference to us ,the patients. 
I am a doctors receptionist at another Surgery so I know how demanding the job is. Well done  to the team and keep up the good work.
GP surgery review: baddow-village-surgery
Title: Friendly and helpful staff
Rating: 4 out of 5
Visited: July 2023
I had cause to call my GP surgery recently. My call was answered in a friendly manner and the person that took my call was very helpful and professional. Despite being a busy surgery I was able to see my doctor the same day. Again the doctor was helpful, friendly,  professional. There are many competing pressures on the NHS but whenever I have had to call the surgery I have always been treated very well.
GP surgery review: baddow-village-surgery
Title: Excellent practice
Rating: 5 out of 5
Visited: June 2023
I moved here from another surgery
As I couldn’t ever get through on the phone let alone an appointment. 
Since being at Baddow surgery I must say I have been on hold but always got to see a Dr or nurse the same day. On one occasion I couldn’t get into the surgery and I had a call back within 2 hours.  I can’t praise all the staff enough. Keep doing what your doing 10/10
GP surgery review: baddow-village-surgery
Title: Blood test
Rating: 2 out of 5
Visited: January 2023
Although I've had exremely good and bad experiences  in this surgery this one was so bad  it's worth noting!
I made an appointment  for my bloods. I had just started a new job so couldn't  find an appropriate  time to take time off. Wd hen I booked my appointment I hadn't realised that that morning  a text had come in to cancel! I went in and  they told me it was cancelled. I insisted because  getting another day off during probation wasnt something  I knew would cause problems at work.

The nurse who did my blood was so so unwelcoming  and so rude! She didnt even look me in the eye and refused to even respond to anything I said.
Did my bloods quietly  when I spoke to her she just looked at me angrily.

Very unbecoming  behaviour  for a nurse! Especially  when needles are involved.
GP surgery review: baddow-village-surgery
Title: Awful practice!
Rating: 2 out of 5
Visited: January 2023
Tried for 1week to get an answer for my elderly mother. Actually got through twice today, first call on hold for 25 minutes, tried again an hour later got through but on hold for 30 minutes! Would of been quicker to of got in a car and driven there. This is the reason for hospitals being under pressure, Gp'sneed to up their game! Will actually drive there tomorrow to get an answer and to ask to see Practice Manager!