Patient Experience Summary

Patient feedback for this practice reflects a deeply mixed experience with significant variation depending on which staff member is encountered. Positive interactions centre on professional medical expertise, compassionate nursing care, and courteous reception staff who demonstrate genuine helpfulness and warmth. Several patients report long-term satisfaction with continuity of care and responsive communication. However, negative feedback reveals persistent systemic issues affecting appointment access and booking experience. Patients describe difficulty securing timely consultations, with reception staff sometimes displaying dismissive attitudes and providing inconsistent information about availability. Communication failures are evident in delayed test results, missed referrals, and inadequate follow-up on hospital recommendations.

Care quality appears inconsistent across the practice, with some physicians receiving consistent praise for attentiveness and empathy while others are described as rushed, impatient, or dismissive of patient concerns. Waiting experiences vary significantly, from reasonable waits to extended delays on phone lines. Concerns about respect and courtesy emerge in multiple reviews, particularly regarding how reception staff handle patient inquiries and how some medical professionals respond to patients with complex or ongoing health needs. The practice's appointment system, relying heavily on same-day phone booking, creates barriers for patients unable to call during morning hours, raising accessibility concerns.

Appointment

41.52 %
Poor

Reception

42.18 %
Poor

Cleanliness

65.00 %
Great

Care

46.75 %
Poor

Respect

43.28 %
Poor

Seen on time

44.65 %
Poor

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DD

Dean D. Google 3 years ago

Rating

Bad!

Doctor's hurtful comments ruined everything

My partner arrived for her medical consultation behind schedule, and the physician proceeded to make an inappropriate comment about her body weight, which I found extremely disrespectful and offensive.

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MH

Matthew H. Google 3 years ago

Rating

Excellent!

Friendly team saved me multiple times

The medical team here is exceptional. Despite being a bustling practice in a challenging neighborhood, the physicians, nurses, and front desk personnel have consistently been incredibly supportive throughout my experiences with them. They've helped me navigate numerous difficult situations with remarkable professionalism. It would be simple to find fault with such a high-pressure healthcare environment, but these professionals truly shine—they're consistently cheerful and dedicated. Their unwavering commitment and consistently positive approach are truly commendable. I'm genuinely grateful for their outstanding service and upbeat demeanor.

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AP

Andreea P. Google 3 years ago

Rating

Bad!

Rude staff ruined my healthcare experience

Honestly, if I could rate this place lower than zero, I would. The receptionists are absolutely terrible - they cut you off mid-sentence, refuse to listen to your concerns, and even try to provide medical advice. They'll get aggressive if you request anything outside their standard "we can't help you" response, especially regarding blood tests. It makes me wonder why someone would work in this field if they lack basic compassion and empathy. I strongly advise against visiting this clinic - I've only encountered one decent doctor here, while the others offer dismissive advice like "just stop worrying and it'll go away" when discussing serious heart issues. To make matters worse, their appointment system is a joke - they start taking calls at 8am, and by 8:05, every single slot is magically gone with no further options available.

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AA

Ahsan A. Google 3 years ago

Rating

Bad!

Frustrating visit with dismissive doctor Charlotte

I recently accompanied my father to a medical consultation with Dr. Charlotte My role was primarily to observe and occasionally assist with translation I detected growing irritation from the doctor, who repeatedly asked "What are you saying?" She displayed a condescending attitude, sighing and using dismissive body language Even though you're a healthcare professional, this behavior is completely unacceptable Just because you work in a demanding field doesn't give you the right to treat patients disrespectfully If you're unhappy in your current position, you should find a workplace where you can be more positive I sincerely hope you don't interact with all patients in such an unprofessional manner

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RH

Ryan H. Google 3 years ago

Rating

Bad!

Terrible staff ruined my healthcare visit

Absolutely terrible medical practice! The front desk employees display an appalling lack of professionalism and courtesy. I strongly advise against choosing this healthcare facility for any medical needs.

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SB

Shahima B. Google 3 years ago

Rating

Bad!

Doctors missed my brother's serious illness

This general practitioner nearly caused my young brother's death through sheer negligence. For more than twelve months, we visited their practice regarding his persistent stomach pain, and each time they dismissively prescribed antibiotics and assured us "he'll be fine." Their repeated disregard continued until my brother's condition deteriorated so severely that he was completely immobilized and had to be urgently taken to the emergency room.

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II

Isabelloney I. Google 3 years ago

Rating

Excellent!

Good service with quick wait times

The employees are courteous and welcoming, consistently ready to assist. The queue lengths are reasonable and manageable.

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KV

Kinga V. Google 3 years ago

Rating

Bad!

Surgeon left me feeling traumatized

Unquestionably the most terrible surgical procedure ever!!!!!!!

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AG

Ash G. Google 3 years ago

Rating

Bad!

Terrible phone-only service drives me crazy

What a terrible medical practice. It's nothing but endless phone consultations, and they seem to believe they can diagnose and treat every patient remotely without a proper examination! Get your act together, you're completely absurd! You're supposed to be a medical clinic, not some cheap telephone helpline!

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SS

Sophierachel S. Google 3 years ago

Rating

Bad!

Unhelpful staff at local medical center

I attempted to register as a patient and was immediately confronted by an unhelpful, discourteous staff member. Every time I tried to explain my situation, she would interrupt, insisting that this conveniently located clinic was outside their service area and expressing uncertainty about where I should seek care, despite online information suggesting otherwise. The representative appeared eager to dismiss me quickly, having barely settled at the reception window to "assist" me. I am thoroughly dissatisfied with the treatment I received and am deeply concerned about the potential conduct of other employees at this facility.

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AH

Annemarie H. Google 4 years ago

Rating

Excellent!

Caring team makes medical visits a breeze

I've been a patient at this medical practice for nearly a decade and my appreciation knows no bounds. Every member of the staff has consistently demonstrated a wonderful combination of warmth, understanding, attentiveness, and professionalism. My heartfelt gratitude goes out to the entire team for delivering such an exceptional level of care.

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DS

Diane S. Google 4 years ago

Rating

Excellent!

Pleasant staff and easy doctor access

The front desk staff consistently greet me warmly, and communicating with my physician via phone is always smooth and hassle-free.

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AG

Asha G. Google 4 years ago

Rating

Bad!

Frustrating lack of compassion at clinic

The staff here display a complete lack of empathy and concern regarding patients' psychological well-being.

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ME

Melinda E. Google 4 years ago

Rating

Excellent!

Decades of compassionate care from my doctor

Throughout my three decades as a patient at this medical practice, I've consistently experienced nothing but excellent care. The entire staff, from the front desk team to the nursing professionals and physicians, have always been exceptional. My general practitioner, in particular, demonstrates remarkable compassion and empathy during every interaction.

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MP

Mia P. Google 4 years ago

Rating

Excellent!

Receptionists deserve more respect here

I want to express my gratitude to this medical practice, particularly the reception staff, who consistently demonstrate helpfulness and courtesy, even when confronting highly agitated and nervous patients throughout the day. As front-line workers, they inevitably absorb criticism that should truly be directed towards the Department of Health and parliamentary officials. I'd like to advise patients that if waiting in line or on hold for extended periods causes frustration, they should channel their anger by writing to their local Member of Parliament instead of targeting the overwhelmed, underfunded, and understaffed team. Regarding the general practitioners, they are all competent, but accurate patient information is crucial for proper referral. Specific health concerns are directed to appropriate specialists: Dr Shneerson handles mental health issues, Dr Kartunyn manages serious physical conditions, and Nurse Mary addresses children's general health, vaccinations, skin problems, and allergies - with prescribing capabilities as a nurse practitioner. While Dr McGuinness has a reputation for being unpopular, I found her surprisingly helpful during my last three interactions when no other doctors were available. Compared to Cherry Hinton surgery, this place is practically a premium healthcare facility! Their receptionist there behaves as if she's the ultimate NHS authority. These receptionists are not punching bags for people's bad moods, nor do they idle away time gossiping about patients' medical conditions! What is wrong with people? 🙄

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ES

Eleni S. Google 4 years ago

Rating

Bad!

Missed morning hub by minutes at GP

Booking a doctor's appointment has been an incredibly frustrating experience. When I urgently needed medical help and requested an emergency slot at 8 AM, I was told the emergency doctor was fully booked and advised to call back the next day at 8 AM to check availability. They completely failed to inform me that I could potentially get an appointment by calling at 11 AM. In desperation, I contacted a neighboring GP (Milton GP) who surprisingly mentioned that calling at 11 AM could secure me a consultation - which turned out to be true. Precisely at 11:00, I called and was placed on hold as the 6th caller in the queue. The receptionist then claimed it was 10 minutes past 11, and I was too late for the appointment hub since all slots were already taken! After expressing my considerable frustration, they suddenly offered me a same-day emergency appointment - something that was mysteriously unavailable when I initially called at 8 AM. The service was absolutely unacceptable.

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SC

Stephy C. Google 4 years ago

Rating

Bad!

Terrible same-day appointments at this clinic

This medical practice is absolutely terrible. The front desk staff are friendly, but the physicians are rarely available. They've been stuck on same-day appointments for an extended period and refuse to let patients schedule proper consultations. Due to my work commitments, I've been unable to see a doctor. When I call, they only offer emergency slots or have a single doctor handling all same-day appointments. It's incredibly frustrating that I've been unable to receive medical care for months. I've never encountered such problematic healthcare service before. How is it possible to be left without proper medical attention for this long?

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SS

Sarah S. Google 5 years ago

Rating

Bad!

Awful care at arbury road surgery

This medical facility is an absolute disaster, with subpar performance across all staff levels, from nursing personnel to blood drawers to administrative leadership. Your experience will fluctuate between being completely disregarded, having your concerns dismissed, and essentially being abandoned to navigate your healthcare needs independently. If you have any alternative options for primary care providers in Cambridge, I strongly recommend selecting another practice instead of Arbury Road Surgery.

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TH

Tim H. Google 5 years ago

Rating

Excellent!

Friendly docs made my day

Exceptional Medical Care, Wonderful Front Desk Staff, Dr. Karttunen and Team Are Outstanding Swift Scheduling, Physicians Exemplify Professionalism and Compassion - This Practice Sets the Standard for Healthcare

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MA

Monika A. Google 5 years ago

Rating

Bad!

slow response left me suffering

I initially experienced a prolonged delay of a week for blood test results, despite the tests being completed during my surgery. My mobility is impaired by ongoing pain, yet the investigation was abruptly halted. Subsequently, A&E recommended a heart monitor, leading me to consult my GP on the 17th of December. By the end of December, upon calling the hospital, I discovered the monitor request was only processed after the Christmas period. Despite my significant work challenges and persistent pain, Dr McGuiness dismissed the urgency of an X-ray, claiming I am still ambulatory. I originally visited the GP in November complaining of pain and will not receive an X-ray until January. Physiotherapy might be months away, forcing me to spend hundreds on private medical consultations. The sole positive aspect of this experience is a delightful young phlebotomist who was exceptionally kind.

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About the GP

  • Accepts all feedback, both positive and negative.

Contact Information

  • 01223 364433
  • Arbury Road Surgery 114 Arbury Road Cambridge Cambridgeshire CB4 2JG

Patient Experience Summary

Patient feedback for this practice reflects a deeply mixed experience with significant variation depending on which staff member is encountered. Positive interactions centre on professional medical expertise, compassionate nursing care, and courteous reception staff who demonstrate genuine helpfulness and warmth. Several patients report long-term satisfaction with continuity of care and responsive communication. However, negative feedback reveals persistent systemic issues affecting appointment access and booking experience. Patients describe difficulty securing timely consultations, with reception staff sometimes displaying dismissive attitudes and providing inconsistent information about availability. Communication failures are evident in delayed test results, missed referrals, and inadequate follow-up on hospital recommendations.

Care quality appears inconsistent across the practice, with some physicians receiving consistent praise for attentiveness and empathy while others are described as rushed, impatient, or dismissive of patient concerns. Waiting experiences vary significantly, from reasonable waits to extended delays on phone lines. Concerns about respect and courtesy emerge in multiple reviews, particularly regarding how reception staff handle patient inquiries and how some medical professionals respond to patients with complex or ongoing health needs. The practice's appointment system, relying heavily on same-day phone booking, creates barriers for patients unable to call during morning hours, raising accessibility concerns.

Appointment

41.52 %
Poor

Reception

42.18 %
Poor

Cleanliness

65.00 %
Great

Care

46.75 %
Poor

Respect

43.28 %
Poor

Seen on time

44.65 %
Poor
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