Patient Experience Summary

Feedback reveals a practice experiencing significant operational challenges that substantially outweigh positive experiences. Appointment availability remains a critical issue, with patients reporting extended waiting times for phone lines, lengthy delays between booking and consultation, and difficulty securing appointments through standard channels. Reception experience is inconsistent, with some patients praising courteous and efficient staff, while others describe discourteous interactions and poor communication regarding appointment confirmations and administrative matters. Administrative delays are pervasive, including prolonged waits for prescription refills, unsigned letters, and test results that remain unprocessed for weeks or months. Continuity of care has deteriorated, with patients unable to see their regular physician and instead encountering different doctors at each visit, creating frustration particularly for those managing chronic conditions.

Positive feedback highlights attentive care from certain healthcare professionals, efficient handling of medical refills in some instances, and compassionate consultation experiences when patients successfully access appointments. However, these bright spots are overshadowed by widespread concerns about service accessibility, responsiveness, and organisation. Patients report the practice is difficult to reach by phone, with queues of 28 or more callers, and describe the booking experience as unnecessarily complicated. Several reviews note a marked decline in service quality following recent staffing changes and system modifications.

The overall tone reflects frustration with access barriers and administrative inefficiency, though some patients acknowledge the challenges facing NHS services more broadly. For a practice serving a community with limited alternative healthcare options, the service gaps identified across appointment availability, communication, administrative processing, and continuity of care represent substantial barriers to patient care.

Appointment

18.75 %
Bad

Reception

28.90 %
Bad

Cleanliness

50.00 %
Average

Care

35.67 %
Poor

Respect

31.20 %
Bad

Seen on time

22.50 %
Bad

Filter

JW

Jon W. Google 10 months ago

Rating

Bad!

Terrible management destroying healthcare practice effectiveness

Administrative ineptitude reaches new heights, with bureaucratic red tape and convoluted procedures completely paralyzing their operational effectiveness. The staff should immediately communicate with management and insist on critical systemic reforms.

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CC

Consultant C. Google one year ago

Rating

Bad!

Frustrating decline from great to barely functional care

What was once a model of efficiency has devolved into a near-impossible quest to consult a physician, akin to seeking an audience with the elusive Wizard of Oz. I'm deeply skeptical that any doctors are genuinely practicing at this Surgery, with perhaps a slim chance of encountering one, though that seems increasingly improbable. Expect instead to be palmed off to a nurse or, when specialist care is required, a "clinician" who possesses significantly less professional expertise and medical training than a general practitioner, whose primary role appears to be gatekeeping your access to proper medical referrals.

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A

Anonymouse one year ago

Rating

Bad!

  • Appointment

    Bad
  • Reception

    Bad
  • Cleanliness

    Average
  • Care

    Bad
  • Respect

    Bad
  • Seen On Time

    Bad

Inadequate

This surgery can do nothing right. They have no appointments. They are closing another surgery- so I can’t imagine how they will cope going forwards. No administration done in any kind of timely manner- I’ve waited 8 weeks for a letter to be signed. There is one receptionist who has an awful manner and makes you feel like you are waiting everyone’s time. My daughter couldn’t be seen last year. They just refer you to A and E for minor issues. I’ve left. Hope something can be done!

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JO

Julia O. Google one year ago

Rating

Bad!

Worst medical experience ever horrible patient care

Utterly appalling medical service. Completely inaccessible - I've been directed to emergency departments three separate times for trivial concerns. A simple letter remained unsigned by a physician for over two months. Total lack of communication. I've departed - disgracefully treated. Profit-driven healthcare organization with absolutely no patient consideration.

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CC

Chislehurstbat C. Google one year ago

Rating

Bad!

Wadhurst surgery fails patients after beloved doctor retires

This medical practice used to be excellent before Dr Blackburn's departure. Now, it's completely dysfunctional. Having been a patient in Wadhurst for nearly a decade, I've been forced to seek private medical care because contacting the surgery is virtually impossible (I was 19th in line and wasted 55 minutes before abandoning the call). Is this level of service remotely acceptable? Update: The situation has deteriorated further. Receptionists are now rudely terminating calls, and while the doctors themselves seem competent, actually securing an appointment has become so challenging that even seriously ill patients are left stranded. Such systemic failures should surely carry consequences.

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NL

Naomi L. Google one year ago

Rating

Poor!

Nhs surgery struggles with terrible management issues

I've been a patient at this surgery for 4 years. Initially, scheduling appointments and blood tests was effortless. However, the past 2 years have seen a dramatic decline. The system change appears to have been a critical error, causing me to lose all access to my medical records on the NHS app, despite repeatedly requesting resolution. I've encountered several unprofessional healthcare providers who were dismissive, rude, and judgmental, ultimately compelling me to file a formal complaint - something I'd never previously considered. One particular receptionist fills me with dread due to her complete incompetence and confrontational attitude. Recent appointment cancellations have left me unable to reschedule, and communication is nearly impossible. As a chronically ill patient seeking support, I feel thoroughly let down. The sole bright spots are the exceptional staff members. Dr. Oakley and Dr. Shaw have been remarkable, and the long-standing male receptionist, along with several other staff, consistently demonstrate kindness and helpfulness. While I recognize the inherent challenges within the NHS and understand staffing variations, it seems management has fundamentally mismanaged this surgery, likely due to insufficient funding. This is deeply disappointing for our local community, who have no alternative healthcare options.

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TP

Terence P. Google one year ago

Rating

Excellent!

Exceptional support from george at the clinic

I've consistently experienced top-notch, respectful assistance - and recently, George demonstrated exceptional dedication by providing extraordinary support with my physiotherapy referral process.

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RY

Rich Y. Google one year ago

Rating

Bad!

Disappointing decline in local healthcare service

Wadhurst medical practice has significantly deteriorated in recent times. Getting an appointment with a general practitioner is now extremely challenging.. the situation has become entirely unsatisfactory following the exit of Doctor Blackburn.

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JI

Jesterpec I. Google one year ago

Rating

Bad!

Terrible healthcare service with zero patient consideration

Scheduling a doctor's visit here is nearly impossible unless you're lightning-fast at dialing precisely at 8:30 AM, and even then, success isn't assured. Their communication is frustratingly poor. To make matters worse, they're shutting down the Ticehurst branch. I'm being overly kind by giving them even a single star.

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DW

Duncan W. Google one year ago

Rating

Bad!

Worst medical practice ever terrible service nightmare

Utterly abysmal service. Dialed precisely at 8:30 and endured a 75-minute wait, only to be informed that no appointments were available and I should visit the minor injuries unit. Throughout my year-long experience as a patient, I've consistently failed to secure an appointment. Additionally, we're in the process of increasing our life insurance and have been desperately seeking a doctor's letter for over 7 months, despite repeated calls from myself and the insurance company, yet we've received absolutely nothing. Steer clear of this practice at all costs, they are simply horrendous!!!!

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EG

Ellie G. Google one year ago

Rating

Bad!

Frustrating service and endless waiting at local surgery

VIA TELEPHONE I endured a staggering 31 minutes and 49 seconds in a phone queue. The advanced nursing practitioner assured me a crucial letter would be prepared for collection within 4 days of my consultation. When I followed up after 7 days, I discovered numerous excuses ultimately revealing that while the Nurse had drafted the letter, administrative staff had neglected to retrieve and transcribe it from the system. At noon today, I inquired about the letter's status, and Annette was unhelpfully evasive, responding "what do you want me to do," without offering any resolution. Minimally, a sincere apology would have been appreciated. For Wadhurst residents, this remains the sole medical practice available, meaning patients have no alternative despite the service's shortcomings. Today's interaction was absolutely dreadful, HOWEVER my previous in-person consultation was commendable, notwithstanding being kept waiting 45 minutes beyond my scheduled appointment time.

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MT

Mark T. Google one year ago

Rating

Bad!

Frustrating blood test experience wastes everyone's time

Deteriorating service! Attempted to schedule a blood test via text. Successfully booked, then abruptly cancelled en route. No explanation provided for the test's purpose. Upon arrival, discovered it was merely a superficial checkbox exercise with no opportunity to include comprehensive diagnostic tests. Completely inefficient, squandering both patient and staff resources, not to mention unnecessary fuel expenses. A hollow pretense of medical care, devoid of genuine clinical value. Urgent improvement needed!

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SS

Sharmila S. Google one year ago

Rating

Excellent!

Fantastic healthcare service with caring professionals

The front desk personnel are top-notch, and scheduling an appointment is always smooth. Every physician and team member has been incredibly supportive and accommodating.

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SD

Steve D. Google one year ago

Rating

Excellent!

Fantastic support from amazing customer service team

The team here consistently goes above and beyond. I feel fortunate to work with such exceptional employees!

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PT

Phillippa T. Google 2 years ago

Rating

Excellent!

Compassionate hrt support from caring senior nurse

I successfully scheduled a preliminary consultation with an experienced nurse to discuss hormone replacement therapy. The appointment allowed me ample opportunity to express my emotions without feeling hurried, and I genuinely felt heard and validated during our conversation. My sincere appreciation goes to the healthcare professional.

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AC

Alison C. Google 2 years ago

Rating

Excellent!

Reliable prescription service with quick response times

Medical refill orders are consistently handled with speed and precision.

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PP

Pretpretpret P. Google 2 years ago

Rating

Poor!

Terrible healthcare with zero compassion or patient support

Terrible experience for those with chronic health issues due to lack of consistent primary care physician. The reception staff are dismissive, discourteous, and consistently deflect responsibility when problems arise. Completely unsatisfactory service - one might argue the facility should simply shut down, and the location would be better utilized as a parking area for the community.

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JT

J T. Google 2 years ago

Rating

Bad!

Frustrating wait times ruin a potentially good service

Scheduling a consultation is an unnecessarily complicated process.

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LP

Lee P. Google 2 years ago

Rating

Bad!

Dangerous medical negligence puts child at serious risk

Utterly useless. It took multiple visits to address my five-year-old's persistent stomach discomfort spanning several months. Repeatedly dismissed with generic explanations like heartburn and pain relief medication. We ultimately sought private medical care and received a proper diagnosis. Recently, when my daughter experienced prolonged vomiting and fluid loss for nearly a week, the medical staff showed complete negligence, failing to even perform basic checks like measuring her temperature or examining her for potential rashes. Absolutely disgraceful. Steer clear of this healthcare provider if at all possible.

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JM

John M. Google 2 years ago

Rating

Excellent!

Compassionate care at belmont surgery made recovery easier

During my recent recuperation in Wadhurst after a medical procedure, I was directed to the Belmont Surgery. I wish to express my sincere appreciation to the medical professionals and administrative team for their exceptional compassion and dedicated support throughout my three consultations. My heartfelt gratitude goes out to everyone who contributed to my care.

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About the GP

  • Verified GP
  • Accepts all feedback, both positive and negative.

Contact Information

  • 01892 782121
  • Belmont Surgery St.James Square Wadhurst East Sussex TN5 6BJ

Patient Experience Summary

Feedback reveals a practice experiencing significant operational challenges that substantially outweigh positive experiences. Appointment availability remains a critical issue, with patients reporting extended waiting times for phone lines, lengthy delays between booking and consultation, and difficulty securing appointments through standard channels. Reception experience is inconsistent, with some patients praising courteous and efficient staff, while others describe discourteous interactions and poor communication regarding appointment confirmations and administrative matters. Administrative delays are pervasive, including prolonged waits for prescription refills, unsigned letters, and test results that remain unprocessed for weeks or months. Continuity of care has deteriorated, with patients unable to see their regular physician and instead encountering different doctors at each visit, creating frustration particularly for those managing chronic conditions.

Positive feedback highlights attentive care from certain healthcare professionals, efficient handling of medical refills in some instances, and compassionate consultation experiences when patients successfully access appointments. However, these bright spots are overshadowed by widespread concerns about service accessibility, responsiveness, and organisation. Patients report the practice is difficult to reach by phone, with queues of 28 or more callers, and describe the booking experience as unnecessarily complicated. Several reviews note a marked decline in service quality following recent staffing changes and system modifications.

The overall tone reflects frustration with access barriers and administrative inefficiency, though some patients acknowledge the challenges facing NHS services more broadly. For a practice serving a community with limited alternative healthcare options, the service gaps identified across appointment availability, communication, administrative processing, and continuity of care represent substantial barriers to patient care.

Appointment

18.75 %
Bad

Reception

28.90 %
Bad

Cleanliness

50.00 %
Average

Care

35.67 %
Poor

Respect

31.20 %
Bad

Seen on time

22.50 %
Bad
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