janduplessis886/england-nhs-gp-reviews huggingface dataset:
GP surgery review: pound-hill-medical-group
Title: Great Practice
Rating: 5 out of 5
Visited: March 2022
I was very ill at the beginning of this year.  I caught a non-Covid infection that hit me hard and lingered for several weeks.  I should have made an appointment to see a Doctor sooner than I did, but by the time I did I was extremely I’ll and getting rapidly to the stage where I would not have been able to get out of bed.  I called the surgery and explained my symptoms to the receptionist.  There were no available appointments that day but the receptionist said she would get one of the doctors to call me asap, she couldn’t give me a time though.  I was amazed to receive a call from one of the doctors within 20 minutes who triaged me over the phone, and prescribed antibiotics and steroids immediately.  I use the electronic prescription system which goes straight through to the pharmacy.  Thanks to the wonderful receptionist and quick actions of the doctor I made a full recovery within a few days.  I know that there are difficulties in booking appointments at the moment, but I judge a medical practice by how well they deal with urgent care.  This was a very serious illness that could have resulted in me calling an ambulance.  Thanks to Pound Hill Medical Group this was avoided.  The staff are polite, respectful and most importantly, they listen.  I am fortunate in that I rarely have a need to see my Doctor but when I do I can’t fault the practice in any way.
GP surgery review: ashdown-forest-health-centre
Title: Excellent Service
Rating: 5 out of 5
Visited: December 2023
We needed a prescription renewed at very short notice.  Phoned the always helpful surgery and explained issue, day after Boxing Day.  Required prescription delivered to our house within 2 hours.  Thanks so much
GP surgery review: ashdown-forest-health-centre
Title: Excellent Care
Rating: 5 out of 5
Visited: November 2023
Having left a "multi" local surgery I had a blood test at Ashdown Forest Health Centre in regard to my medication within 2 weeks of registering here, it was well over 2 years since my last surgery called me in for one of those! This blood test also revealed that I have a B12 deficiency which was explained expertly to me in a telephone call from my Doctor.  I had my first injection last week and the others are already booked in as advised over the next two weeks. I cannot praise this surgery highly enough, not only because they spoke to me about my blood test results (my old surgery never did), but more importantly found a condition that I now know I have had for many years that was never found or not bothered about at my last surgery. I was putting most of the symptoms down to just getting older, and now thankfully with the right diagnosis and medication I will be feeling a whole lot better.  Thanks again to Ashdown Forest Health Centre.
GP surgery review: ashdown-forest-health-centre
Title: Outstanding
Rating: 5 out of 5
Visited: August 2023
Both my husband and I have recently joined this surgery from a "multi" local surgery practice, and my goodness what a different experience we have both received in the 2 weeks we have been with them. This is how we remember a surgery being run, friendly and helpful staff at all levels.  I had a minor eye infection and was not sure I was fully registered with the practice, so at 9am completed an on line triage form on what was my then current surgery.  I eventually had a call back from a doctor from a different surgery as part of the group at gone 3pm.  Now to the difference with Ashdown Health Centre.  I called them a little before 10.30am the same morning and found I was fully registered, I had a doctor call me at 12.40pm and I collected a prescription a short time later, this was all done before my "old surgery" had even bothered to get a doctor to speak to me.  My husband was so impressed he also changed and has immediately experienced first class service.  His "old" local surgery used to call him in for a blood test annually for his medication check, this has not happened for nearly 2 years and they would not then supply his medication until he had a blood test, this was going to take over 6 weeks to book by which time his medication would have run out. The attitude from the old surgery was for him to go to a hospital for it.  After changing to Ashdown Health Centre he has already spoken to their pharmacist who has immediately renewed his prescription with the understanding that he would book a blood test with them asap, which he is having done on Thursday, so in 4 days, so different to 6 weeks.  From our recent experiences of our "old" local surgery to this one, Ashdown Health Centre is how all surgeries used to be run and should still be run, the moment a "large corporation" gets involved service goes downhill, thank you Ashdown Health Centre, and every staff member both my husband and I have been in contact with for restoring our faith in NHS Surgeries.
GP surgery review: ashdown-forest-health-centre
Title: Model practice
Rating: 5 out of 5
Visited: July 2023
This practice is a template of how a GP practice can be when well managed,  with all staff keen to be  helpful and caring.
Always possible to see a doctor on the day if important or in pain.
The receptionists are very competent at sorting appointments and queries.     Keep up the good work.  Thank you all.
GP surgery review: ashdown-forest-health-centre
Title: Kind and caring
Rating: 4 out of 5
Visited: March 2023
I was seen by the Physician's Associate and found her very kind and caring.  It is the second time I have been seen by them and would be happy to have appointments in the futue with this person.
GP surgery review: ashdown-forest-health-centre
Title: A Great Practice
Rating: 5 out of 5
Visited: January 2023
I feel the need to say, given the negative news about the state of the NHS, through no fault of the individuals who work in it, how fortunate we are to be served by this Practice. They have an excellent system that enables patients to try to have access to a GP face to face or telephone appointment on 'the day' and the Receptionists manage this with courtesy and understanding. The service and care I have received from the GP's has always been considerate and understanding, thank you!
GP surgery review: ashdown-forest-health-centre
Title: Excellent Service Thankyou
Rating: 5 out of 5
Visited: October 2022
I would like to thank all at the practice for the support that they have given to me with sudden health problems and also how quickly they supported me in a total knee replacement. You hear constantly about 2 year delays etc. for this type of operation but it only took 4 months from referral to the operation itself. Excellent. I have also been well supported by the excellent pharmacy and Nursing staff for support when travelling abroad. Really a totally excellent service through what has been a very challenging 2 years with Covid. Well done and thank you again to your whole team.
GP surgery review: beacon-surgery
Title: Service standards continue to fall
Rating: 2 out of 5
Visited: November 2022
Whilst appreciating the pressures faced by the practice some areas of service need addressing. 
With the recent retirement of practice doctors we now have no relationship with a specific family doctor and see a different practitioner on each visit. 
It is standard practice to spend at least 20 minutes continuously dialling to be placed in a queue averaging 15+, to hear a message that hasn’t changed since the start of the pandemic. 
You used to be able to book an appointment online with a specific doctor in advance. This worked well but is no longer available.
Arriving in good time you can expect to wait 20-40 minutes past your appointment time, even when your appointment is early morning.
Today, we were directed to a back door which was unmanned and without any means of contacting anyone inside or registering your arrival. After the standard 20 minute wait with nothing happening I asked the receptionist what we were meant to be doing, to be told that I should call the surgery (presumably to talk to the receptionist I was talking to). I later found out that this was an isolation procedure and meant that you couldn’t sit in the waiting room. I am not sure who made the decision that earache was contagious and that standing in the cold and wind would alleviate the symptoms. Whilst I appreciate the concern around the need for possible isolation, surely there is a better way to treat patients than have them stand out side in the weather for a long period of time (e.g. someone could make a quick assessment on arrival to determine whether you need to be isolated or could be brought in from the cold to wait in the waiting room). It turned out that there was no need to isolate so a pointless wait outside.
Finally, my partner has suffered with long term anxiety and depression but despite calls for help, there has been no follow up by the practice, so she continues to suffer in silence.
I don’t mean to complain as generally I think it’s a good practice. It’s just that since Covid things seem to have gone backwards to a large degree and despite the passage of time, no actions to improve standards seem to be taking place.
GP surgery review: beacon-surgery
Title: not happy anymore
Rating: 1 out of 5
Visited: August 2022
We are sad that after 20 years we are in the process of leaving the Beacon surgery but we have no confidence in them anymore. The do not refer or chase up really important referrals, they  ignore the patient and then re refer wrongly so you are back at the end of the queue. I am not prepared to go into medical details but the care for both  myself and my husband has been hugely inefficient and uncaring and we know we care be better looked after by another surgery without a battle with aggressive rude secretaries ( the receptionists however are always polite and kind)
GP surgery review: beacon-surgery
Title: Ridiculous wait times
Rating: 2 out of 5
Visited: July 2022
For the second time today I have waited a ludicrous amount of time for my appointment. After spending an hour trying to book the appointment this morning I have now been waiting over 3 hours for the call
I was supposed to receive. I’ve called twice just to be told “oh don’t worry she runs late” this is not good enough! Clearly she either has too many patients or the time slots are too short! This is the second time this has happened and I’m grateful this is a phone appointment as the last time I was asked to wait in the car with my 5 year old for an hour and half before we gave up and went home! I’m writing this here as there is no other way to contact the surgery via email or contact form! 
I have put off trying to speak to the gp for weeks because of this exact reason, I find it so stressful and I’m also dealing with 2 kids and a baby whilst sitting on the phone booking an appointment or waiting for a call!
GP surgery review: beacon-surgery
Title: Thank you to a great team
Rating: 5 out of 5
Visited: May 2022
I would like to thank all at Beacon surgery for their efficiency, kindness and unswerving care always and in particular during the recent of the pandemic. My own experiences during this time, as previously, have been exceptional. They have clearly had to make huge adjustments to manage the pandemic and all the changes in the ways of care and practice that have come with it. However, there was no change whatsoever in the quality of their care.

These have been a very difficult few years for all of us and I can’t even begin to imagine the sort of pressures both personally and professionally these have brought to bear on the GP practice. 

Unfortunately, change often brings with it fear and anger and on top of the real fears of the outcomes of covid, I believe many people may have directed those frustrations towards the very people who have unwittingly but willingly had to bear the brunt. We have all heard many horror stories of GP practices and failing care, but I feel privileged to belong to one that has faced this challenge and come out on top, without missing a beat in their care.

So, thank you Beacon Surgery and a special thank you to Dr Pace. 

Sent from my iPad Sent from my iPad
GP surgery review: beacon-surgery
Title: Fantastic Surgery
Rating: 5 out of 5
Visited: April 2022
Thank you to everyone who works so tirelessly at the Beacon Surgery. You have continued to take care of your patients throughout such a difficult time. I always get an appointment when I need one, if I have something wrong that warrants a call, this happens very quickly and efficiently. The GP's are all really lovely and thorough and the Reception team are kind and doing the very best that they can. They do not have magic wands to create appointments out of thin air and deserve respect. I know, I have worked in a GP surgery and the Beacon is doing a great job. Thank you also to all the nurses, HCA's and other specialist staff there. Well done and keep on going, you are doing a fantastic job?
GP surgery review: beacon-surgery
Title: Fantastic GPs
Rating: 5 out of 5
Visited: April 2022
I have received incredible care from 2 GPs. They have been incredibly helpful and understanding and I cannot thank them enough for their empathy and compassion. Thank you so much you are a credit to our community.
GP surgery review: beacon-surgery
Title: Rude and unprofessional receptionist
Rating: 1 out of 5
Visited: February 2022
Very rude receptionist who not only was rude towards me but had contempt for other patients and made a clinical decision for another patient over the surgery intercom.
GP surgery review: beacon-surgery
Title: Better than many
Rating: 5 out of 5
Visited: January 2022
Having read the negative reviews I would like to make a positive. All surgeries are under pressure and many friends in other areas have real cause for concern. My experience of Beacon is that it is holding up well under the pressure. Making an appointment can be very frustrating at any practice but Beacon is easier than many although not up to pre Covid status yet. Should we just vent in a review...of course not! I am still happy to say I am well treated here and if you really want to go somewhere you expect to have personal treatment then go private. Beacon is more than adequate for all others.
GP surgery review: belmont-surgery
Title: What has gone wrong with this surgery?
Rating: 1 out of 5
Visited: September 2023
I have spent since 08:30am this morning trying to get hold of the surgery is it now 12:15.  No-one answers the phone.  I asked for a call back 2 hours ago and still no-one has called back.  They say on the message to go online and click e-consult for non urgent questions.  Which I did, only for it to say this surgery does not do e-consult. Or make appointment via patient access.  I despair!
GP surgery review: belmont-surgery
Title: Poor service and patient care
Rating: 3 out of 5
Visited: August 2023
I had an appointment on Wednesday only to have a telephone call to cancel as I was to old 
Called the surgery today to make an appointment as symptoms are still on going only to be told I failed to attend my appointment on Wednesday 
Now been given another appointment
I have been to Tunbridge wells hospital on  Monday for an examination 
This is not acceptable as I have been put on a pathway for possible cancer
The treatment received from the surgery is not acceptable 
Since when are reception qualified to make these decisions
GP surgery review: belmont-surgery
Title: Needs vast improvement
Rating: 1 out of 5
Visited: July 2023
Getting an appointment is ridiculous. Told to phone up at 8am for an on-the-day appt but that is just an absolute lottery.
Desite having a complete lack of understanding medical requirements, receptionists ask what is wrong with you and then decide how important it is. They also mix up face-to-face with phone appointments. 
Doctors ask what you want to do about medical problems, despite being the ones that are trained.
Ordering prescriptions takes 5 days and that is if they don't reject repeat scripts for no reason, despite having in house pharmacists.
One saving grace is the nurses. They are friendly, helpful and very professional.
What was once a great surgery has sunk so low. It is such a shame.
GP surgery review: belmont-surgery
Title: Poor service
Rating: 2 out of 5
Visited: April 2023
Having made a non urgent appointment and waited several weeks to be seen, when I went along to see the doctor my appointment had disappeared? I was offered an alternative for the following day which meant me cancelling my plans but what else could I do. The surgery  is not able to meet the needs of our village at the moment and is still taking new patients. 
I realise that recruiting new GP’s is proving difficult but surely seeing patients to provide preventative health care and screening should be a priority as well as dealing with more urgent cases.
GP surgery review: belmont-surgery
Title: A very helpful GP
Rating: 3 out of 5
Visited: April 2023
Having been upset by the loss of my appointment yesterday I was pleased to see a very efficient and helpful GP today. She has restored my faith in the practice and put my mind at rest.
GP surgery review: belmont-surgery
Title: The Practise has inadequate support
Rating: 1 out of 5
Visited: February 2023
I visited the surgery today to request an appointment for a 7 year child who has a medical condition that needs addressing. I did not ask for an urgent appointment but the child needs to be seen by a doctor. I was however informed at the time of my visit that there were no appointments available at any time in the future and my only option was to check daily as further appointments may become available. I tried to ascertain why it was not possible to make a non urgent appointment but failed and eventually was informed that the practise has only 1 part time doctor for 9500 patients and a nurse who would not be able to help with the condition for which I was requesting a consultation.  The reception team does not have the means to do its job and is unable to offer solutions or give advice on how patients should proceed.  The service at the surgery is virtually nonexistent and I shall have no choice but  to take the child to A&E when he has an episode that his mother is unable to deal with.
GP surgery review: belmont-surgery
Title: Not great
Rating: 1 out of 5
Visited: February 2023
When I've seen a doctor, she's been great but this practice has big problems. 
Getting an appointment is often a long involved procedure, with long waiting times and usually being asked to take part in the 8.30 phone lottery to see if you get lucky with an appointment on the day. 
The pharmacy takes up to a week to process any prescriptions, they say because the practice takes ages to send them over. I guess it's because there are no committed partners any more so it's just like another business trying to go online.  
As an example, I was sent a request to fill in a survey about the practice because 'your feedback is very important to us and we are looking at ways to improve our service'. I went to considerable trouble to sign up to Surveymonkey so I could oblige and the link just doesn't work! 
To me that says everything about the state of the practice: useless, faceless, annoying and inefficient lip service to 'improvement'. 
I'm sure the lack of GPs, the pressures the existing ones are under and the fact that the business is not partner-led are causing most or all of these problems and I feel sorry for the people working there who want to do a good job.
As other people have said, when you get an appointment the nurses, doctors and staff are delightful in my experience.
GP surgery review: belmont-surgery
Title: Good doctors
Rating: 4 out of 5
Visited: November 2022
Have tried phoning not for an face to face app just a call from my doctor I think the trouble is a bad chest infection which I have had before and all I needed was something to clear it up, given an appointment for the"14th of December" I thought the chap was joking my only option is to try and speak to the Practice nurse if I can 
get through on 2121.I only wanted the doctor to telephone me
GP surgery review: belmont-surgery
Title: Flu Clinic
Rating: 4 out of 5
Visited: October 2022
Attended the flu clinic this morning. Efficiently run, cheery staff and no waiting. A very positive experience - and it didn’t hurt!
GP surgery review: belmont-surgery
Title: Very efficient
Rating: 5 out of 5
Visited: October 2022
I attended a flu vaccination on Sat 29 October. The whole process was very efficiently run by staff from the Wadhurst Medical Group. No waiting and just a slightly sore arm afterwards.
GP surgery review: rotherfield-surgery
Title: Receptionist
Rating: 3 out of 5
Visited: June 2023
I am extremely worried about my adult son who is an  alcoholic and a patient at your practice. I rang to ask if I could e-mail his Doctor with my so many concerns about him and tell her things that I know are happening with him. Things he wasn't telling her about. Whilst I appreciate patient  I wasn't asking questions about him I am very genuinely very worried about his condition and the danger he could be to himself and others. I was told very sharply that I wasn't on his list and not allowed to explain the situation and cut off from the phone . I find this, rude and totally unnecessary also very upsetting when you're trying to get help , where else should I try other than his Doctor?
GP surgery review: saxonbury-house-surgery
Title: Brilliant practice
Rating: 5 out of 5
Visited: November 2023
I spoke to reception on the phone explain my symptoms, she booked be in with the Practice Nurse. 
It was the same receptionist who I spoke to on phone booked me in , she help me with the things I needed for the appointment . The Practice Nurse was so helpful and caring. 
Both the receptionist and Practice Nurse were very professional and caring and kind.
GP surgery review: saxonbury-house-surgery
Title: Superb Practice
Rating: 5 out of 5
Visited: August 2023
When you hear so many stories about the difficulties people have with getting through to their surgeries and the subsequent long waits for appointments, we consider ourselves very lucky to have Saxonbury House Surgery. Although you may have to wait for your call to be answered, it will be answered which invariably results in an appointment (either face-to-face or telephone) that day.  The practice is smoothly and professionally run and we have always been extremely pleased with the treatment we have received from everyone there.  Thank you Saxonbury House
GP surgery review: saxonbury-house-surgery
Title: Great practice, amazing people
Rating: 5 out of 5
Visited: January 2023
Saxonbury House Medical Group is quite simply the most wonderful surgery.  It is a privilege to be looked after by their amazing healthcare team.  The Practice leaders are the most incredibly talented, caring, professional and hard working people.  I have nothing but respect and gratitude for everyone that works at Saxonbury.
GP surgery review: saxonbury-house-surgery
Title: A very good practice in all respects
Rating: 5 out of 5
Visited: September 2022
Once again I have needed to ask the surgery for help with regard to my ongoing medical problem. As usual the staff on the reception desk have been unfailingly helpful including going the extra mile ,even without being asked, to try to move things forward when waiting for results from the hospital etc. It was always possible to have a consultation with my own doctor who could formulate, with myself, a plan to help resolve my problem and then ensure that it was put into action. 
I have always been conscious that this level of service has been maintained all through the pandemic and beyond even though the surgery has been a vaccination centre. Indeed I have just received my booster jab and am due to have a flue jab tomorrow.
I and many others are extremely lucky to have such a wonderful service from Saxonbury House and to know that the service will always be maintained no matter how much pressure they are under.
This is a very busy practice and yet ‘normal service’ is always there when requested.