Balham Health Centre

Podiatry appointment booked without any fuss

Excellent foot care service!

Prescription delays despite multiple phone calls

I was unable to obtain a refill of my medication in a timely manner. Despite making multiple contact attempts with the practice, it took several days before the prescription was provided.

Reception staff unhelpful and dismissive on first visit

My first visit to this dental practice was disappointing. The receptionist did not offer directions or guidance upon arrival, which was unhelpful as it was my first time attending. The clinical staff member who conducted the examination displayed an unprofessional demeanor from the moment we entered. During the x-ray procedure, I felt concerned about the approach taken with my child. The comments made about my son's teeth were delivered in a manner that felt harsh and unkind, rather than constructive or supportive. Both my child and I left feeling uncomfortable and unwelcome. The staff member seemed dismissive of my concerns and appeared unwilling to engage positively with us. There was a lack of clarity about why we had been referred to the practice, and instead of seeking clarification, the staff member simply disagreed with what I was explaining. A more professional and compassionate approach would have made a significant difference to our experience. My son became upset during the visit, and I felt disappointed by how we were treated overall. I would not recommend returning to this practice.

Reception staff were rude and dismissive

The experience was extremely disappointing. The level of courtesy displayed by both the clinical and administrative team fell well short of expectations.

Reception staff attitude needs improvement

The receptionist displayed a manner that was not welcoming, with an approach that seemed unsuitable for a role involving interaction with patients who may be unwell or in need of support.

Staff were helpful and attentive

The team here is excellent and very professional.

Nice centre with helpful reception staff

The Balham centre is a pleasant facility and the healthcare provider was helpful.

Reception staff were unhelpful and rude

The service was disappointing, with reception staff appearing unhelpful and displaying a lack of courtesy.

Reception staff unhelpful on first visit

I would rate this experience far below acceptable. The reception staff member was unhelpful and failed to provide guidance when I arrived for my first visit. The clinical staff member displayed a dismissive attitude from the moment I entered and made negative comments about my child's teeth during what should have been a routine examination. I felt the approach was unprofessional and unkind, particularly given this was our initial appointment. The handling of the x-ray procedure caused me concern for my child's comfort and safety. Rather than addressing my questions, the staff member appeared dismissive of my concerns and contradicted what I was saying without properly investigating the situation. The overall experience left us feeling unwelcome and anxious. I did not feel the service met professional standards, and basic courtesy was lacking throughout. I would not return to this practice.

Repeated calls needed for prescription and sick note

I have been a patient at this practice for many years and the clinician is familiar with my medical history. However, I called multiple times yesterday requesting a prescription and a medical certificate as I am suffering from a significant acute illness. This situation is causing me considerable anxiety, particularly due to the financial impact of being unable to work, and my condition has deteriorated over several days. I spoke with reception staff on multiple occasions who indicated it would take approximately 24 hours to process my prescription and medical certificate. When I called again, I was informed that nothing had been actioned and that I would receive a callback within a specified timeframe, though I have reservations about this. I would like to raise concerns about the level of staff communication and responsiveness. This mirrors previous frustrations I have experienced with the practice's administrative processes. I am seriously considering changing to a different practice as I have lost confidence in their service. I am very dissatisfied with my experience.

Receptionist's rudeness made registration upsetting

I called to register as a new patient today and found the receptionist to be quite unfriendly and lacking in empathy. The interaction left me feeling upset.

Staff ignored vaccine preference agreement

This practice fell short of my expectations. I attended an appointment for a routine vaccination a few weeks ago and had previously communicated that I could not receive a particular vaccine brand due to personal reasons. Upon arrival, I was informed that only one vaccine option was available, despite having been assured beforehand that an alternative brand would be provided. I found the staff manner to be dismissive and lacking in empathy.

Impossible to reach by phone for cancellations

I have been attempting to cancel an appointment but find it extremely difficult to reach the practice by telephone. The practice is prompt in highlighting the financial implications of not attending appointments, yet appears to take limited action to prevent this situation from occurring in the first place. When contact is eventually established, the staff are helpful and accommodating. This ongoing communication issue really needs to be addressed.

Phone staff hung up without helping

Contacted the practice regarding an upcoming clinic but was unable to get any information about it, as the person who answered the phone said they couldn't help and ended the call. It would be beneficial if the reception team were reminded that callers to a health centre are typically seeking assistance because they have health concerns. The dismissive approach to this enquiry was disappointing and fell short of expected standards of care.

Phone reception staff were dismissive and rude

I attempted to contact the practice on multiple occasions seeking assistance, but found the receptionist to be quite unhelpful and dismissive. The manner in which calls were handled was disappointing, with what felt like an abrupt end to conversations when seeking support. It seems unreasonable that providing courteous and helpful service should be such a challenge. This experience was truly frustrating.

Reception staff unhelpful with misleading opening hours

Poor service experience. If you require a blood test on a Saturday, be aware that the phlebotomy service closes earlier than the advertised opening hours. The reception team could be more helpful.

Podiatrist took time to explain everything

I am absolutely delighted with the treatment I received from the podiatry service. The clinician demonstrated a professional approach, kept me well informed throughout my appointment, took time to explain my condition, and provided reassurance. This was a truly professional experience in every sense, and I feel fortunate to have access to such a wonderful service. Thank you.

Phone lines never answered at this surgery

This practice has significant issues with its operations. The telephone lines are frequently unavailable, and the administrative team's attitude leaves much to be desired, as though they have an inappropriate sense of ownership over the facility. The overall staff performance is disappointing, and there appears to be considerable turnover among clinical staff.

Confusing layout makes it hard to find services

I appreciate you taking the time to provide feedback about this practice location. The facility operates as part of a larger health centre that houses multiple service providers beyond just the GP surgery. This means that various primary care functions and secondary care services from NHS providers operate from the same building, which can create some confusion for patients trying to navigate the different services available. When questions arise about specific services like walk-in availability, it becomes important to clarify which provider is being asked about, as different organisations within the health centre may offer different facilities. There appears to be a distinction between what constitutes a health centre versus a GP surgery that isn't always immediately clear to patients. Given the evolving nature of primary care roles, some people may not realise that certain clinical services they need are available at this location under one roof. This lack of awareness can sometimes lead to delayed access to appropriate care, which may eventually result in more complex health needs requiring secondary or social care involvement. Better clarity about what services are available and from which providers could help patients access the right care more efficiently. The website information currently listed appears to be inaccurate regarding which service provider operates from this address, and I wanted to flag this so it can be corrected. I attempted to use the problem reporting function but felt this explanation required more detail than that option allowed.

Reception gave misleading information about prescription availability

I had a very negative experience at this surgery. I felt the clinical and administrative staff were unhelpful and dismissive throughout my visit. I attended to request a repeat prescription for my regular medication. The clinician declined to prescribe my usual brand and instead issued a prescription for an alternative option. I subsequently visited multiple pharmacies, none of which stocked this alternative or could order it. When a pharmacist contacted the surgery on my behalf to request approval for my original medication, the request was refused. The pharmacist indicated to me that the prescription could have been approved but suggested the surgery was being deliberately obstructive. I returned to the surgery in the evening to return the first prescription and was assured a revised one would be provided. However, I was given another alternative medication which also proved unavailable at any pharmacy I visited. The receptionist suggested I visit multiple pharmacies to locate it, which was impractical for my circumstances. When I requested a revised prescription, the receptionist stated the clinician had left for the day, despite observing that patients were still being called for appointments. I returned the following morning and booked another appointment with the same clinician, who then suggested the pharmacist should have been able to substitute the medication, contradicting his earlier refusal. This straightforward matter required me to take substantial time off work and considerable administrative effort. I have also learned from acquaintances in the area that they have encountered comparable difficulties, including needing multiple appointments to address single issues, misplaced test results, and being turned away from appointments due to time constraints. I have since transferred my care elsewhere and am pursuing a formal complaint through the appropriate NHS channels.