Reviews
On the whole, the clinical care I have received has been very good.
Receptionist service has been mixed. One (male) was very helpful indeed.
Others were difficult to communicate with and would benefit from some extra training and a change in attitude.
This practice has no care for the carers on their list. They have no knowledge of the number of carers or how a caring role can impact on the carers ability to attend clinic times. Due to my caring role I cannot attend the open clinic and am never able to book a time when I am able to find somebody to cover my duties. Therefore I become very unwell before I can be seen, as then I can get an emergency appointment. The evening appointments, I have been informed by the receptionists, are for commuters only. Being a 24 hour, 365 day carer is probably one of the most isolating and stressful jobs that exists, having an inaccessible GP doesn't help.
Impossible to get an appointment, even when being instructed to return for further investigation by a GP!! I feel this shows a complete lack of care. If I was a child or an elderly person I can guarantee I'd get an appointment the same week. Disgusting way to treat patients needing further medical investigation.
I saw Dr Ali twice in the last two weeks. He was very thorough with his questions and examinations. Dr Ali has a lovely manner in how he speaks to patients and explains everything. Thanks to Dr Ali I have been reassured with all the tests conducted and now have an urgent appointment come thorough within a week, due to my breathing difficulties. Highly recommend this doctor and this practice as always able to be seen promptly.
I am not reviewing my experience of appointment as I was refused one!!!!!!!! I have been a patient at this surgery and North Station Road prior to this (Dr Spooner) in total for nearly 30 years. Fortunately I am not a regular patient and I find it infuriating that when I do need to see someone (which will be my last resort) I can’t get an appointment. Working full time it is difficult to attend walk in surgery and when you do you are questioned by the receptionists about your symptoms, this is none of their business and not for other patients to overhear - what’s happened to patient confidentiality? I called this morning to ask about appointment availability (desperate to see/talk to anyone doctor, nurse etc) I divulged my reason to the receptionist (who was very understanding and sounded compassionate) she told me to ring back at 12 and tell the receptionist why I needed an appointment. I rang and sat in a queue only to be answered by a different receptionist who refused me an appointment and said the receptionist in the morning shouldn’t have told me to call back. This surgery was always fantastic but sadly this is no longer the case.
Resources
Short link to review The Tollgate Practice: http://iwgc.net/eb8r2