Birchington Medical Centre

Impossible to book a gp appointment here

Getting a doctor's appointment here is nearly impossible, even when calling precisely at 8am. I find it far simpler to visit the urgent treatment centers in Herne Bay or Deal, and I actively steer clear of QEQM altogether. Since registering years ago, I've never had a face-to-face consultation with an actual GP - I've only interacted with the pharmacist and nurses, who, I must say, are absolutely excellent.

Quick help at eight in the morning

I want to share my deep appreciation for the exceptional medical support I recently experienced. When I initially reached out early in the morning, I was initially positioned 7th in the telephone queue. Shortly thereafter, I was swiftly scheduled with Dr Osman for a 9am consultation. During our meeting, she carefully reviewed and modified my prescription, and also coordinated subsequent blood work for later that week. After the diagnostic tests were completed, Dr Osman personally telephoned me the following day to further refine my treatment plan based on the laboratory findings. Her proactive approach and thorough follow-up were truly remarkable and deeply meaningful to me. I cannot emphasize enough my profound respect for the outstanding professional care provided. I would be grateful if you could convey my sincerest thanks to Dr Osman for her compassionate and meticulous treatment. Kind regards, John Hanna

Caring doctor who truly listens

Dr. Sheldon Huggins was truly exceptional. His approach was compassionate, meticulous, and highly competent. The residents of Birchington are incredibly fortunate to have such an outstanding physician, and equally fortunate to have the Birchington Medical Centre as their healthcare facility.

Compassionate care during dad's cancer journey

The care and support provided to my father and me over the past couple of days has been absolutely outstanding. Sharon, the Practice Manager, the Reception staff, and Dr. H Denton have demonstrated remarkable compassion, empathy, and sensitivity while guiding us through a period of uncertainty. Their approach has significantly boosted my father's confidence regarding his cancer treatment strategy and the support available to him. We are deeply grateful!

Smooth online prescriptions and blood tests

I had an exceptional experience during my inaugural visit, despite being registered with the practice for nearly a year and fortunately avoiding the need to consult a doctor until now. Throughout these past ten months, I've seamlessly managed all my prescription refills online without any complications, and undergone two blood tests equally stress-free. Initially, I harbored some apprehension after reading online reviews, but I've exclusively encountered top-tier, high-quality care.

Quick and caring doctors at local clinic

I've always been able to secure same-day appointments without hassle, and the reception team is delightful. Additionally, every healthcare professional I've consulted, from nurses to general practitioners, has been exceptionally caring and thorough.

Appointments impossible at this gp practice

Since relocating here last year, I've tried six times to secure a GP appointment, but consistently failed despite dialing precisely at 8am as instructed. Each unsuccessful attempt has forced me to visit the local urgent treatment centre, with no alternative practices nearby to switch to. While they excel at scheduling flu vaccinations, and the medical staff remain consistently professional and helpful (if you manage to see them), the reception staff and management have elevated incompetence to an art form. The lift has been non-functional for weeks, repairs to the gents' toilet light took an excessive amount of time, and I once arrived to find a complete power outage. They've even managed to lose my wife's appointment and arbitrarily cancel a referral. The electronic check-in system frequently malfunctions, and I've now reached a point where filing a formal complaint with the ombudsman seems the only viable recourse.

Friendly staff made my doctor visit easy

Compared to other healthcare providers I've encountered, Birchington Medical Centre stands out as an exceptional practice. Their staff consistently demonstrate professionalism, with a level of efficiency and courtesy that truly sets them apart.

not good unfortunately

I've been with Birchington medical centre for many years and it's deteriorated over time. The facilities are okay and the doctors are pleasant when you get to see them, but it's really difficult to get an appointment; you have to phone at 8am, on the dot, or you won't get one. If you're a shift worker, like I am, it's a pain. I managed to get time at work today to phone up at 4 minutes past eight and I was met with an answerphone message telling me that I was above number 30 in the queue. Once I got to speak with the receptionist, which was 25 minutes later, all the appointments were gone. I've had this a few times before and they just tell you to go to A+E! The receptionist on this occasion was okay, but sometimes they come across a bit terse and aren't overly helpful. When you do get an appointment you're rarely seen on time, but I must admit I'm not unduly concerned by this.

Dangerous advice from careless doctors

My encounter with Birchington Medical Centre has been nothing short of appalling and completely unacceptable. Exercise caution regarding the advice and prescriptions from general practitioners, and always independently verify information about any medication you're given. Utterly repulsed.

Rude receptionist ruined my morning visit

I seldom write negative reviews, and my past interactions with this medical practice have been overwhelmingly positive, including fantastic encounters with the reception staff. However, something seems different today - whether it's new personnel or someone experiencing a challenging moment - the manner in which a receptionist addressed me was completely unacceptable. I was made to feel unintelligent for not scheduling an appointment for a repeat prescription, especially after previously being informed by the pharmacy that no GP consultation was necessary since I had been cleared by their team. When I explained my inability to attend midday appointments due to work commitments, I was coldly told 'well, you don't have much choice'. The receptionist's demeanor was utterly disinterested, disconnected, and devoid of any compassion, with customer service that was frankly embarrassing. Having worked as a medical receptionist myself, I understand the inherent stress of the role, but surely that doesn't justify treating patients - who are being polite and understanding - poorly. Not everyone is trying to make your day difficult. Despite this isolated incident, I want to emphasize that the doctors, nurses, and other reception staff remain wonderful.

Terrible reception staff and their awful attitude

The reception staff here display an utterly revolting level of disrespect and unprofessionalism. It's astonishing that they continue to be employed despite the numerous negative customer experiences documented in reviews. Their communication style is completely unacceptable - they talk over you, prevent you from expressing yourself, and then abruptly end the call by falsely claiming that you are the one being discourteous.

Louise saved me after work hours

What an exceptional facility! I dropped by following my workday, struggling with intense ear discomfort. Despite being on the verge of heading home, Louise kindly paused to attend to me right away. Her compassion is truly appreciated, and the front desk staff were equally warm and supportive. I'm incredibly thankful for the outstanding care I received and wholeheartedly endorse this medical practice.

Endless calls with zero connection

I've attempted to contact their support line 191 times throughout the day, and each call has been met with an unrelenting busy signal.

Friendly welcome at front desk

Front desk staff was incredibly accommodating and went above and beyond to assist me.

Wasted morning trying to book an appointment

Absolute zero stars would be more appropriate. I phoned precisely at 8am to schedule a visit on my day off, only to waste 25 minutes on hold and discover every single slot is already taken. The system is completely absurd - there's absolutely no option to pre-book at a convenient time. I'm genuinely puzzled how anyone with a full-time job could possibly get an appointment. Update: The situation remains equally frustrating with their scheduling. I now have an infant who cannot get seen, despite calling exactly at 8am and waiting 19 minutes, only to be informed no appointments remain for the day. Their suggestion was to head to the hospital's Urgent Medical centre.

Friendly staff made my doctor visit smooth

Consistently, the Birchington Medical Centre has provided top-notch service. The staff members are consistently approachable, kind, and supportive. Kudos to the Birchington Medical Centre for their outstanding commitment to patient care.

Helpful young lady saved the day

The communication at this practice is substandard. Initially, a referral was sent with incorrect details. Fortunately, a young, courteous receptionist rectified the error and submitted a new referral. However, during my appointment, the consultant lacked current medical documentation, and recent scan results were missing, again highlighting their communication deficiencies. When I raised concerns about these communication issues, the senior receptionist I encountered was extremely discourteous and hostile. While I recognize that her job is challenging, it seems she is fundamentally unsuited to her role. I've interacted with other reception staff who were friendly, but I sincerely hope to avoid this particular individual in the future. Despite maintaining a veneer of politeness, she appears deeply dissatisfied with her work and responds with an aggressive and defensive demeanor.

Elderly patient struggling with gp access

My elderly mother, aged 85, is constantly struggling to secure a medical consultation. With her high blood pressure, she finds herself unable to see a healthcare professional. She feels utterly defeated by the difficulties of navigating modern healthcare systems, being technologically challenged and unable to use digital booking platforms or make effective phone appointments. Her distress is palpable as she witnesses the apparent decline of our national health service.

Worried pregnant mom needs urgent care

I discovered a breast lump during my first trimester and urgently contacted the surgery on a Friday afternoon. The receptionist informed me the earliest appointment would be 2-3 weeks, which was clearly too long given my situation, and advised me to call back the following week. I called first thing Monday, waited 30 minutes in the queue, and explained my concerns. Despite my worry, they said they couldn't help me that day and told me to call back the next morning. It's absolutely unacceptable! I'm pregnant with a potentially serious breast lump! While I understand it's not the receptionist's personal fault, the clinic's overall management is completely unacceptable. As a result, I have since transferred my medical registration elsewhere. Prior to this incident, I had only used their services three times in over a year, and each time I was kept waiting nearly 45 minutes past my scheduled appointment time.