Patient Experience Summary

Patients consistently praise the clinical quality and care delivery at this practice, with healthcare professionals described as skilled, thorough, and compassionate. However, significant access challenges dominate feedback, particularly regarding telephone communication. Patients report persistent difficulty reaching the practice by phone, with lines frequently unavailable, unanswered calls, and disconnections occurring repeatedly. Appointment booking presents a major barrier, requiring advance planning or extended waiting periods, with some patients unable to secure slots despite multiple attempts. Reception experience is mixed, with some staff noted as welcoming and helpful whilst others are described as dismissive or unhelpful, creating inconsistency in patient interactions.

The practice offers convenient morning walk-in appointments which some patients value highly, though these can involve lengthy waits. Communication responsiveness remains problematic, with delayed follow-up and limited alternative contact methods. Several patients report declining service standards compared to previous years, citing understaffing concerns and poor organisation of appointment systems. Whilst clinical consultations are generally thorough and patients feel heard during appointments, the barriers to accessing care and the reception experience create frustration that undermines overall satisfaction for many.

Appointment

45.18 %
Poor

Reception

52.31 %
Average

Cleanliness

72.50 %
Great

Care

75.42 %
Great

Respect

54.89 %
Average

Seen on time

48.76 %
Poor

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KH

Kevin H. Google 3 years ago

Rating

Bad!

Phone lines constantly busy and frustrating

Contacting the practice by telephone proves to be extremely challenging, as the line is consistently engaged with no apparent queuing system in place. This ongoing difficulty is very frustrating and has prompted consideration of finding an alternative surgery.

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SP

Sharon P. Google 3 years ago

Rating

Bad!

Couldn't get through on the phone line

I attempted to reach the practice by telephone throughout the day but was unable to get through to anyone. This resulted in a frustrating experience with the service.

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JS

Jacqueline S. Google 4 years ago

Rating

Bad!

Impossible to reach by phone anymore

I have attempted to contact the practice on numerous occasions. The phone lines are frequently engaged with no apparent queuing system in place. The online appointment booking system is not functional for my needs. This leaves me with limited options and requires me to visit the surgery in person, which is not a practical solution for me.

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JE

Janice E. Google 4 years ago

Rating

Excellent!

Booking appointment took longer than expected

The clinical staff are all genuinely pleasant and very supportive. I recently received a message to arrange a follow-up appointment, which took quite a while to sort out, but I eventually managed to get a slot booked. The process was noticeably more complicated than when I attended for my initial appointment. Regardless, they all put in considerable effort to provide good care. I'm very grateful for their dedication.

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JC

Jean C. Google 4 years ago

Rating

Excellent!

Receptionists stayed helpful through difficult times

This is undoubtedly the finest practice I have ever attended. The reception team are wonderful and supportive, even during challenging circumstances. The clinical staff are excellent and I have always been able to access telephone consultations or appointments without difficulty. The service provided is of the highest standard.

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TF

Tanya F. Google 4 years ago

Rating

Great!

Friendly staff made registration process easy

Still in the process of getting registered with the practice. The team have been quite pleasant when speaking over the telephone.

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MC

Marie C. Google 5 years ago

Rating

Great!

Hard to reach but helpful when you do

The medical professionals are pleasant when you're able to connect with them, however I've been attempting to reach someone for a week regarding a prescription without success. I eventually managed to speak with someone today, and the staff member was very helpful, offering me alternative ways to get in touch with a doctor.

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M6

Michelle 6. Google 5 years ago

Rating

Poor!

Impossible to reach by phone

It is extremely difficult to reach the practice by telephone, which represents a disappointing level of service.

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MM

Mikey M. Google 5 years ago

Rating

Bad!

Registration process let down by unhelpful staff

I visited for the first time yesterday and had to complete the registration process. The staff members were unwelcoming and dismissive throughout my visit. I found them unhelpful when I needed assistance, and my requests were declined. Overall, I was disappointed with the experience and would not recommend this practice.

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GH

Guy H. Google 5 years ago

Rating

Excellent!

Handled the pandemic period really well

The practice has performed admirably during the recent pandemic period, demonstrating commendable effort and dedication.

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CC

Chris C. Google 5 years ago

Rating

Bad!

Hard to book appointments by phone

Straightforward experience if you attend in person. However, reaching the practice by telephone proves challenging and booking appointments typically involves lengthy waiting periods. This appears to be a common issue affecting multiple family members rather than an isolated incident.

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CW

Christine W. Google 5 years ago

Rating

Bad!

Phone lines kept cutting off during booking

I attempted to call to book an appointment, but after an extended period of trying, the line repeatedly disconnected with a busy signal. The reception service experience was disappointing.

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WS

Wayne S. Google 6 years ago

Rating

Excellent!

Friendly staff made settling in easy

I relocated to this area at the start of the year and was uncertain about which medical practice to choose, but I'm pleased I selected this one as the team members are genuinely welcoming, compassionate and supportive. The clinicians I've consulted with have been excellent and I have no complaints whatsoever about this practice. They deserve full marks in my opinion.

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JP

James P. Google 6 years ago

Rating

Excellent!

Long-term patient with consistently good experiences

This practice has been my family's doctor for as long as I can remember, and I've consistently had positive experiences throughout. The healthcare professionals there are excellent.

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TS

Tom S. Google 6 years ago

Rating

Poor!

Impossible to reach by phone for appointments

The clinical staff here are competent if you can secure an appointment for a future date, though getting one sooner proves challenging. It's surprising that despite the considerable combined professional experience within the practice, there appears to be difficulty in managing incoming telephone calls promptly.

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G(

G (. Google 6 years ago

Rating

Excellent!

Drop-in appointments made booking easier

Excellent healthcare professionals to see, really appreciate the availability of walk-in appointments before mid-morning.

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JH

John H. Google 6 years ago

Rating

Bad!

Removed from practice after disagreeing with doctor

When I first became a patient, I found the practice to be caring. However, following a disagreement with my GP, I was subsequently removed from their patient list. I feel this was handled unfairly.

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SP

Suzanne P. Google 6 years ago

Rating

Excellent!

Staff were helpful and early morning appointments available

Excellent team across all departments, including front desk, clinical staff, and medical professionals. The practice offers appointments during weekday morning hours. Highly regarded local healthcare facility.

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ZC

Zoe C. Google 6 years ago

Rating

Excellent!

Struggling to get through on the phone line

I have been a patient at this surgery for nearly two decades and I have great appreciation for the clinical team and administrative staff. However, I do experience significant difficulty when attempting to book appointments by telephone. The lines are frequently unavailable, with calls either going unanswered or becoming disconnected, and immediate callback attempts result in engaged tones. This is quite frustrating. It appears that additional staffing resources dedicated to handling appointment enquiries would be beneficial.

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CG

Carol G. Google 6 years ago

Rating

Excellent!

Practice that listens and genuinely cares

I couldn't ask for a better medical practice! They handle everything with such ease and willingness to help!

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Practice Response Rate
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About the GP

  • Accepts all feedback, both positive and negative.

Contact Information

  • 01642 607248
  • Alma Medical Centre Nolan Place Stockton-On-Tees TS18 2BP

Patient Experience Summary

Patients consistently praise the clinical quality and care delivery at this practice, with healthcare professionals described as skilled, thorough, and compassionate. However, significant access challenges dominate feedback, particularly regarding telephone communication. Patients report persistent difficulty reaching the practice by phone, with lines frequently unavailable, unanswered calls, and disconnections occurring repeatedly. Appointment booking presents a major barrier, requiring advance planning or extended waiting periods, with some patients unable to secure slots despite multiple attempts. Reception experience is mixed, with some staff noted as welcoming and helpful whilst others are described as dismissive or unhelpful, creating inconsistency in patient interactions.

The practice offers convenient morning walk-in appointments which some patients value highly, though these can involve lengthy waits. Communication responsiveness remains problematic, with delayed follow-up and limited alternative contact methods. Several patients report declining service standards compared to previous years, citing understaffing concerns and poor organisation of appointment systems. Whilst clinical consultations are generally thorough and patients feel heard during appointments, the barriers to accessing care and the reception experience create frustration that undermines overall satisfaction for many.

Appointment

45.18 %
Poor

Reception

52.31 %
Average

Cleanliness

72.50 %
Great

Care

75.42 %
Great

Respect

54.89 %
Average

Seen on time

48.76 %
Poor
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