Alwoodley Medical Centre

Ignored for hours with worsening symptoms

I'm utterly heartbroken by the disgraceful treatment. I contacted the clinic and reached reception, yet no one bothered to return my call throughout the entire day, leaving me without medical guidance. My health concerns were deteriorating as hours passed. This marks my second attempt to address this persistent condition over a quarterly span, which clearly indicates a serious, escalating problem. The response I received was that I could either wait for an in-person consultation on October 17th or secure an online appointment on the 10th - essentially being told to endure my worsening symptoms in the meantime. The entire experience is unacceptable and profoundly detrimental to one's psychological well-being.

Caring doctors who listen at alwoodley medical centre

I've been with this general practice for half a decade, and they truly stand out as exceptional. The physicians consistently demonstrate thoroughness when addressing my health concerns, offering sound guidance and taking my issues seriously. Whenever specialist intervention has been necessary, they've been prompt with referrals. Moreover, their administrative team, including phone staff and receptionists, are remarkably competent and courteous. I've never experienced anything less than respectful treatment. While appointment wait times can occasionally be longer, I completely understand this is due to their commitment to patient prioritization. I appreciate their balanced approach and feel entirely content with the healthcare provided. My sincere gratitude goes to the entire team at Alwoodley Medical Centre for their outstanding service.

Sharon's rude attitude at reception

The blonde receptionist, Sharon, positioned on the far right upon entering, displays an utterly unprofessional demeanor. She appears to believe she's more knowledgeable than the medical staff, acting as if she possesses a medical degree. Her attitude is so appalling that I'm seriously considering filing a formal complaint. The practice's scheduling system is completely ineffective. They desperately need more full-time doctors instead of part-time or absent practitioners. Reporting critical health concerns on a Wednesday results in a follow-up appointment the following Tuesday - an unacceptable and potentially dangerous delay. Ironically, the waiting area is rarely crowded, yet obtaining an appointment seems impossible. The NHS appears to have completely disintegrated. It's remarkably easier to schedule a dental appointment, likely because dentists work full-time, whereas doctors seem to have minimal working hours. Perhaps they should stop accepting new patients, as they're clearly unable to manage their current patient load. It's particularly frustrating to observe reception staff enjoying cool fans while patients swelter uncomfortably.

Frustrating appointment process for seniors

Why are senior citizens being pressured to use a mobile app for scheduling when they may not be technologically savvy or even own a smartphone? The reception staff's insistence on digital booking seems inconsiderate and exclusionary to those who are less comfortable with modern technology.

Long wait for simple diabetic nurse visit

I'm trying to schedule a consultation with a diabetes specialist, and the initial booking was set 8 days out. Today, I received two separate calls rescheduling the appointment, which now pushes the total wait time to 9 days. This means I'll be waiting a frustrating 17 days just to get an appointment.

Quick diagnosis saved my life

I was feeling unwell for a stretch of days and decided to visit the clinic early Monday. The physician I saw was worried about my health and recommended immediate hospitalization. I'm truly grateful - Following a comprehensive series of medical examinations, they pinpointed the issue: a pulmonary blood clot!

Terrible wait times and unhelpful staff

The practice requires significant enhancement. Front desk personnel demonstrate a lack of professionalism and competence. Although recently updated, the scheduling system is remarkably inefficient and frustratingly obsolete.

Friendly team made my day

The personnel here are delightful and genuinely supportive 👍

Rude receptionists blocking my care

Over the past 48 hours, I've been struggling to schedule a medical consultation, and the receptionists' incompetence is truly shocking. They presume to dictate which healthcare professional I should consult, overstepping their boundaries. It's unacceptable that I'm forced to plead for a basic medical appointment. These staff members preach about patient courtesy while simultaneously antagonizing those seeking care. This medical practice is so appalling that it merits a negative rating - if such a score were possible, I'd assign them less than zero. Their conduct is nothing short of shameful.

Booking system frustrates patients at practice

The employees are friendly, but their scheduling and communication methods are incredibly frustrating. You can only secure an appointment through their system if you happen to be quick enough before 8:30 am daily. Messaging is equally challenging, as their platform deactivates itself before midday. Even more absurd, if you receive a message from the practice after noon, you are completely unable to reply - there's not even a simple response option! It's mind-boggling how such a basic communication feature is missing. This is a clear illustration of why the NHS struggles with inefficiency; such elementary issues could be resolved so easily.

Impossible to book an appointment here

Scheduling an appointment is consistently challenging, and it feels like they're intentionally creating barriers to patient care, pushing individuals towards paying for private medical services. If given the opportunity, I would absolutely switch to a different general practice without hesitation.

Kind admin team saved the day

Consistently top-notch, especially the incredibly patient administrative staff. I have absolutely no personal agenda in sharing this review. I'm simply frustrated by the local critics and complainers (including many members of the Alwoodley Residents Group Facebook page) who occasionally come across as unnecessarily hostile. If you wish to voice concerns, direct your attention to the notoriously bureaucratic overseeing local Integrated Care Board (ICB), or the NHS regional office. Their headquarters are strategically tucked away at Wira House near the Ring Road in Horsforth. They seem to prefer avoiding direct patient and taxpayer interactions! lol. I'm aware that the ICB was responsible for implementing the (divisive) PATCH system. You can easily find the local ICB's contact information, including phone number and email, through a quick online search.

Quick and smooth dental visits

I've had a completely different experience compared to the negative feedback I've read. Both my partner and I have consistently found scheduling appointments easy and have been thoroughly impressed with the quality of service we've received.

Quick morning ride downtown

Spotless and streamlined

Helpful chemist refused simple money-saving sign

I brought back a prescription medication that didn't meet my needs, aiming to prevent unnecessary spending by the NHS and obtain a more appropriate item for myself. I questioned why there wasn't a notice encouraging patients to verify their prescriptions before leaving, as returned items would be destroyed. The pharmacist dismissed my suggestion about posting such a sign. It seems strange that someone wouldn't want to help reduce healthcare costs.

Terrible staff and zero compassion at clinic

Arguably the most terrible healthcare facility I've ever encountered. When you're seeking assistance, they're completely unresponsive. They abruptly disconnect phone calls while you're mid-conversation. You request a specific appointment date for several critical reasons, and they demonstrate absolute indifference. They schedule your appointment on an entirely unrelated date, and when you explain your unavailability and express frustration, the receptionist's dismissive response is a callous "well, what do you want me to do then…" If the rating system allowed me to assign zero stars, I would absolutely do so without hesitation.

Ran out of meds, no one cares

This medical centre is absolutely appalling. I submitted a repeat prescription request a week ago and received an email stating they wanted to review my medication before issuing more, promising to call me on Tuesday. They did call Tuesday but cancelled the review, and I explained I only had a few pills left of one medication and needed an interim supply. The receptionist claimed she would request it, and I was told the review would happen on Thursday. No phone call came, so I rang Friday to stress that I would run out over the weekend. No request had been made for an interim supply, and the receptionist was incredibly rude and dismissive, even stating she was speaking to me abruptly "because she can". She then scheduled a call for that afternoon, but I've just received a message saying the professional I was booked with is off sick, so the review is now moved to next Tuesday. I will completely run out of medication, and they demonstrably could not care less. I will absolutely be seeking an alternative medical practice, as this is just one of numerous infuriating experiences that have left me completely exasperated and at my wit's end.

Missed call ruined my whole day

I was extremely dissatisfied with their patient handling. I accidentally missed a call today because I was in the restroom, and they unilaterally scheduled an appointment without my input. When I returned the call, I discovered I had an appointment in just 10 minutes. I politely asked if they could reschedule the appointment for after 3:00 PM, but they flatly refused my request.

Frustrating med refills and booking nightmare

Systems are dysfunctional. Updates fail to resolve issues. Scheduling appointments is a frustrating challenge. Medication requests are complicated, leading to missed prescriptions. There's a clear breakdown in communication between healthcare providers and pharmacies.

Frustrating doctor mix-up at local practice

My spouse scheduled a consultation for abdominal discomfort and specifically requested a female physician. Despite having three female doctors available, she was assigned a male doctor and proceeded with the appointment. Dr. Mohammed did not inform her about the necessity of conducting urine or blood tests. The following day, she visited the Emergency Department due to ongoing pain, where a urine test revealed a medical issue. She was advised that her original GP should have performed both urine and blood tests. Another appointment was booked, and she was again assigned the same male doctor (Dr. Mohammed). Consequently, my wife contacted the practice to inquire about this recurring situation and was subsequently apologized to by the surgery and provided with a female doctor. Throughout this process, I asked the receptionist Rachel to have the GP Practice manager, Victoria, contact me. After three days, I am still awaiting this promised phone call to lodge a complaint. Extremely unsatisfactory service.