Feedback across this file reveals a practice with significant operational challenges alongside pockets of positive care experiences. Appointment access remains a persistent concern, with patients reporting difficulty reaching the practice by phone, lengthy waits to secure bookings, and inconsistent availability. Communication gaps are evident, including instances of lost test samples, delayed or missing referrals, and poor coordination between departments. Reception experience is notably mixed, with some patients praising courteous and supportive staff, whilst others describe discourteous interactions and lack of responsiveness to patient needs.
Where positive experiences are reported, they centre on compassionate clinical care, professional doctors, and welcoming environments. Several patients highlight responsive communication, convenient scheduling systems, and staff who go above and beyond to assist. However, these positive interactions exist alongside concerning patterns of rushed consultations, administrative errors, and inconsistent service quality. Some patients report feeling dismissed or unheard during appointments, whilst others describe excellent listening and thorough examinations.
The practice appears to operate under resource constraints typical of NHS services, with some patients acknowledging staffing pressures. Recent feedback suggests improvements in online booking accessibility and communication responsiveness, though appointment availability and phone accessibility remain challenging for many. The disparity between positive and negative experiences suggests service quality varies significantly depending on which staff members patients interact with and which systems they use.
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Respond to patient reviews
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Generate CQC evidence reports
Claim & Manage ProfileShows how often this practice responds to patient reviews and feedback.
Feedback across this file reveals a practice with significant operational challenges alongside pockets of positive care experiences. Appointment access remains a persistent concern, with patients reporting difficulty reaching the practice by phone, lengthy waits to secure bookings, and inconsistent availability. Communication gaps are evident, including instances of lost test samples, delayed or missing referrals, and poor coordination between departments. Reception experience is notably mixed, with some patients praising courteous and supportive staff, whilst others describe discourteous interactions and lack of responsiveness to patient needs.
Where positive experiences are reported, they centre on compassionate clinical care, professional doctors, and welcoming environments. Several patients highlight responsive communication, convenient scheduling systems, and staff who go above and beyond to assist. However, these positive interactions exist alongside concerning patterns of rushed consultations, administrative errors, and inconsistent service quality. Some patients report feeling dismissed or unheard during appointments, whilst others describe excellent listening and thorough examinations.
The practice appears to operate under resource constraints typical of NHS services, with some patients acknowledging staffing pressures. Recent feedback suggests improvements in online booking accessibility and communication responsiveness, though appointment availability and phone accessibility remain challenging for many. The disparity between positive and negative experiences suggests service quality varies significantly depending on which staff members patients interact with and which systems they use.
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Lois H. yesterday
Excellent!
Appointment
ExcellentReception
ExcellentCleanliness
ExcellentCare
ExcellentRespect
ExcellentSeen On Time
GreatExtremely compassionate and understanind
I accompanied my Afghan neighbour to the clinic in extreme pain who speaks no English . Alison at reception showed incredible compassion, understanding and patience. My lovely neighbour left with further tests, a prescription and registration forms plus an understanding oh where her pain came from having seen a lovely nurse practitioner. Thank you to all the team who have restored my faith in humanity.
Simon R.
10 months ago
Excellent!
Compassionate service with a caring touch
Alison, who works at the front desk, demonstrated exceptional compassion and care while assisting my mother. She truly exceeded expectations in her support. I am incredibly grateful.
Vanessa V.
one year ago
Excellent!
Exceptional care and compassion from start to finish
I'd like to express my gratitude to Emma from the patient coordination team, Debra (the practice manager), Dr. Giles, and the blood clinic staff for creating such a seamless and comforting experience. Every single person was incredibly kind and helped me feel completely at ease. Although a blood test wasn't mandatory, they offered me the opportunity to rule out a potential (though uncommon) underlying cause of my symptoms. They were remarkably accommodating, managing to schedule the test on the same day and even texting me the results that afternoon. This prompt communication provided me with significant reassurance. The level of care and professionalism I encountered was truly exceptional.
Geraint H.
one year ago
Great!
Caring doctors with a minor check-in hiccup
Despite the typical challenges faced by medical facilities, the personnel we encountered were welcoming and comforting. The check-in interface could benefit from improved uniformity and reliability.
Diamond G.
one year ago
Bad!
Frustrating wait and unprofessional medical experience
The service here is thoroughly disappointing. Punctuality seems to be a major issue - if you arrive early for your appointment, anticipate a substantial delay (today it was 40 minutes). Apparently, they have excuses ready for their chronic tardiness.
Stevie B.
one year ago
Excellent!
Caring professionals shine despite healthcare system challenges
Facing staffing shortages typical of healthcare systems impacted by prolonged budget cuts, but the medical team here is exceptional and the overall care is outstanding. Staff are incredibly dedicated, so just take a deep breath and wait your turn. Absolutely deserving of a perfect five-star rating! :)
Lottie S.
one year ago
Excellent!
Friendly staff makes birchwood clinic a breeze
The staff at the front desk of Birchwood are consistently accommodating and friendly. They genuinely strive to schedule appointments quickly and efficiently. I would definitely suggest this place to others.
Kurtis B.
one year ago
Bad!
Terrible service and zero customer accommodation
I arrived slightly behind schedule for my scheduled visit, and immediately encountered issues with the check-in process. After spending nearly a quarter-hour standing in line to interact with the front desk staff, I was abruptly informed that my appointment slot had been forfeited and I would need to reschedule. The staff demonstrated zero patience or willingness to accommodate my situation, even considering the significant waiting time I had already endured. The entire experience was incredibly exasperating and felt like a complete misuse of my time.
Irina P.
one year ago
Bad!
Terrible customer service from rude receptionist alison
Utterly unhelpful and discourteous front desk staff member Alison, encountered after an extensive telephone hold time while attempting to schedule a consultation with Dr. Haque
Ian W.
one year ago
Bad!
Terrible prescription app with zero functionality
This application is completely worthless, and there's no way to request prescription refills via telephone.
Nita C.
one year ago
Poor!
Worst medical office ever avoid at all costs
Scheduling a visit here is an absolute nightmare. The parking situation is a complete disaster, and their online booking system is so limited it can barely be called functional. Utterly useless service.
Unique I.
one year ago
Excellent!
Fantastic service with a smile
Outstanding service. Staff was welcoming and went above and beyond to assist.
Sami S.
one year ago
Excellent!
Exceptional customer service from a caring professional
The most compassionate and empathetic front desk staff I've ever had the pleasure of interacting with
Paul B.
one year ago
Excellent!
Excellent healthcare with caring and responsive team
Exceptional medical professionals, welcoming front desk team, and convenient scheduling. They're prompt in their communication and response times. If you've experienced the frustration of Montpelier Health Centre, you'll quickly appreciate how superior this practice is!
George T.
one year ago
Excellent!
Exceptional care from friendly medical professionals
The staff at the front desk and Claire, who leads the nursing team, were absolutely outstanding. Their professionalism was matched by their warm and welcoming approach. I'm truly grateful for their exceptional care and service!
Kayleigh-anne N.
one year ago
Excellent!
Frustrating service with long wait times everywhere
Recently, I've observed a significant increase in the duration it takes to connect via phone and schedule appointments.
Hansel M.
2 years ago
Bad!
Booking nightmare at this impossible medical office
I'm starting to doubt this establishment is real. Securing a reservation seems unattainable. For six consecutive weeks, I've been dialing at 8am daily, yet every time the schedule is completely booked.
Laura H.
2 years ago
Great!
Impossible to book appointments despite good staff
I've always appreciated the high caliber of doctors and the welcoming nature of the receptionists at this practice. However, booking an appointment has become incredibly challenging unless it's urgent. When I call, I'm directed to book online, which only opens at 9am, requiring me to navigate the system during work hours. Each time I've attempted to book online (around 7-8 attempts), the portal has been closed due to high demand. Consequently, weeks have passed without securing an appointment, leaving me feeling demoralized and frustrated. I've even resorted to purchasing private prescriptions online twice to address my health issue, but I still require further medical investigation and cannot access a GP. While I recognize the immense pressures facing the NHS, accessing basic healthcare in 2023 should not be this arduous. Edited July 2024: the practice has made significant strides in improving their service. In recent months, I've experienced much smoother interactions, with the online portal consistently accessible and receptionists and clinical staff providing swift, positive responses. I acknowledge the challenging conditions they operate under and genuinely appreciate their commitment to supporting our community.
Jose R.
2 years ago
Excellent!
Compassionate care despite nhs challenges and limitations
Despite the current challenges facing the NHS, the staff here demonstrate remarkable dedication. They're attentive, comprehensive, and genuinely make an effort to accommodate patients, even under significant strain. An excellent group of healthcare professionals. My sincere appreciation.
Fiona W.
2 years ago
Great!
Efficient and friendly medical practice with great service
Dr. Smith's practice offers a solid medical experience. Their scheduling system allows for convenient callbacks, sparing patients from endless waiting on the phone. Appointment availability is generally good, meeting most patients' timing needs. The front desk personnel are also quite supportive and pleasant to interact with.