Patient Experience Summary

Patient feedback reflects a mixed experience with significant variation in service quality across different areas. Appointment access remains a persistent challenge, with many patients reporting difficulty securing timely slots, lengthy phone waiting times, and system overload during peak periods. Reception experience is inconsistent, ranging from warm and supportive interactions to instances of discourtesy and poor communication. Phone systems present ongoing difficulties, including disconnections and extended hold times. However, clinical care receives substantial positive feedback, with patients frequently praising doctors for compassion, attentiveness, and professional expertise. Many patients report feeling genuinely listened to during consultations and value the continuity of care they receive.

Communication failures and disorganisation emerge as recurring concerns, particularly around prescription processing delays, missed telephone appointments, and conflicting information from staff members. Some patients describe waiting experiences that lack acknowledgment or explanation, contributing to frustration. Conversely, numerous reviews highlight exceptional responsiveness from the practice when patients do connect with services, with staff going above and beyond to assist with urgent needs.

The practice demonstrates capability in efficient service delivery during specific initiatives, such as vaccination clinics, and maintains strong professional standards in clinical consultations. However, systemic issues with appointment availability, reception courtesy, and administrative coordination appear to undermine the overall patient experience for a significant proportion of users, despite genuine efforts from many team members to provide compassionate care.

Appointment

45.23 %
Poor

Reception

48.76 %
Poor

Cleanliness

65.00 %
Great

Care

58.91 %
Average

Respect

52.14 %
Average

Seen on time

42.86 %
Poor

Filter

KI

Kat I. Google 4 years ago

Rating

Bad!

Terrible surgery with dangerous and negligent care

Utterly appalling. I despise every aspect of this surgical procedure. It's time to depart. If you value your well-being and your loved ones, steer clear of this place. They offer zero assistance whatsoever. For anyone with a critical medical condition needing attentive and comprehensive care, this surgery is completely unsuitable. We consistently find ourselves in the emergency room. Extremely subpar. I would gladly award zero stars if the rating system permitted.

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MA

Mudusar A. Google 4 years ago

Rating

Bad!

Terrible service and no available appointments anymore

Getting an appointment used to be simple, but now it's become a real challenge. Every time I try to contact them, they're completely booked up. It seems they've overloaded their system by accepting more clients than they can reasonably handle. My advice: steer clear of this place.

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SF

Sarah F. Google 4 years ago

Rating

Excellent!

Quick and caring prescription service saves the day

I urgently required a prescription on a Friday late in the day. The front desk staff member was incredibly accommodating. She promptly returned my call and had the prescription transmitted to the pharmacy in just 5 minutes. Truly remarkable compassion and top-notch customer support. My sincere appreciation goes out to them.

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SP

Sarah P. Google 4 years ago

Rating

Excellent!

Exceptional care with one minor hiccup along the way

I've been receiving care at this medical practice for an extended period, and aside from one isolated incident, my experiences have been consistently positive. The staff have consistently demonstrated compassion and attentiveness, particularly given my complex medical conditions. They always ensure my well-being is a top priority. The physicians are exceptional, always taking the time to genuinely listen and understand my concerns. Additionally, the front desk personnel are friendly and make interactions pleasant and comfortable.

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SS

Sam S. Google 5 years ago

Rating

Excellent!

Caring staff made my medical experience awesome

The medical staff were incredibly welcoming and supportive. All the doctors and nurses behind the desks were extremely kind and accommodating.

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MM

Mam M. Google 5 years ago

Rating

Bad!

Unprofessional care and poor communication at clinic

The medical staff's identification is unclear, as they only use first names. It seems like they're randomly searching online for potential diagnoses and presenting vague possibilities, while dismissing the specific symptoms I'm experiencing. Moreover, despite having all my contact information, this medical practice failed to reach out to me about the COVID vaccination, even though younger patients registered at the same location were successfully contacted.

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CC

Charlotte C. Google 5 years ago

Rating

Average!

Rude receptionist ruins pregnant patient's morning visit

Being heavily pregnant, I stood first in line during a calm morning after my blood test, with no other patients around... surprisingly, the receptionist overlooked me, called a patient standing behind me forward, and then insisted I move to the end of the queue, claiming she hadn't noticed me. Are you serious? I had been standing patiently at the front for five minutes while her attention was completely absorbed by her computer screen. Utterly disgusted, I ultimately decided to leave the medical practice. The entire experience was deeply distressing and unacceptable.

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LL

Lyudmil L. Google 5 years ago

Rating

Bad!

Disappointing medical communication fails patient expectations

I had scheduled a telephone consultation with my physician for today, but the call never materialized as expected.

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MS

Michael S. Google 5 years ago

Rating

Bad!

Confusing service with conflicting information

Information seems inconsistent and communication is chaotic. Staff members provide conflicting guidance, leaving customers confused about the actual rules and procedures. Each person you speak with offers a different explanation, making it impossible to understand what's truly expected or allowed.

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JS

Jac S. Google 5 years ago

Rating

Excellent!

Compassionate care when we needed it most

I've been navigating a challenging period with a seriously ill family member over the past half-year, and the incredible support has been nothing short of miraculous. The medical practice is now proactively establishing a comprehensive support framework for my loved one. Every interaction I've had, whether with the reception staff or physicians, has been marked by exceptional dedication and willingness to assist. Their approach is consistently professional, deeply respectful, and demonstrates genuine compassion, with a clear commitment to achieving meaningful outcomes. My heartfelt gratitude goes out to this remarkable team.

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WC

William C. Google 5 years ago

Rating

Poor!

Frustrating healthcare experience with endless phone troubles

Previously, I would have considered this service satisfactory, even commendable, but its quality has significantly deteriorated since the pandemic. I endured over an hour waiting on hold, only to be disconnected just as I reached the front of the queue. Attempting an alternative approach, I utilized their online system and was granted a telephone consultation with a mere 20-minute prior notification, which was impossible to accommodate due to my existing work commitments. Subsequently, I received a text instructing me to contact the surgery. Today, when I attempted to phone again, I was abruptly disconnected while waiting at position 14 in the queue.

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CG

Cosmina G. Google 5 years ago

Rating

Bad!

Terrible medical practice with no compassion or care

Positive experiences with this medical practice are extremely rare for me, from the front desk staff to the doctors and nurses. The medical team appears disinterested in patients, seeming to provide diagnoses arbitrarily and failing to comprehend the seriousness of patients' conditions. My parent is battling cancer, and the GP consistently delays prescription processing, forcing me to repeatedly follow up and chase paperwork, only to receive weak excuses before eventually obtaining the medication. It seems the practice is indifferent to service quality and professional reputation, but watching my suffering parent endure pain due to medication delays is completely unacceptable. Show some compassion - you voluntarily chose this profession, not under duress. If monetary gain is your sole motivation, why even practice medicine? Such an approach reduces patients to mere inconveniences. One GP brazenly interrupted me during a consultation, asking, "Is this truly urgent? I'm pressed for time, can we reschedule?" I immediately abandoned the conversation, recognizing the futility of seeking care from someone who clearly doesn't care. Do you feel no shame whatsoever?

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KG

Krassie G. Google 5 years ago

Rating

Bad!

Frustrating and endless wait for a simple flu jab

Brace yourself for an exasperating phone experience lasting over 60 minutes just to schedule an appointment, and even if you miraculously get through, you'll likely find all slots for the day are already filled. This is now the second occasion during the vaccination period where I've attempted to book a flu shot, only to squander an hour of my life and ultimately be informed that no appointments are available, with instructions to try again in November.

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JH

Jamie H. Google 5 years ago

Rating

Bad!

Worst customer service from unhelpful asian receptionist

I interacted with an Asian receptionist who remained nameless and displayed an absolutely shocking level of discourtesy. She was completely indifferent to my partner's medical concerns and categorically refused to provide any form of help or support. Her verbal demeanor was shockingly unprofessional, and her total unwillingness to assist my partner during a critical moment was deeply offensive. This employee desperately requires comprehensive customer service training on basic human compassion and communication. Her behavior was utterly reprehensible.

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MK

Manoj K. Google 6 years ago

Rating

Bad!

Worst medical experience ever with zero compassion

We experienced an absolutely dreadful encounter at this medical facility. Although we reside in Redhill, we were granted an emergency appointment with a GP (Dr. Ansari) because our regular practice had no availability. We arrived 15 minutes late due to challenging traffic, unfamiliar surroundings, rainy conditions, and accompanying two young children. My wife was extremely unwell, suffering from persistent vomiting, dizziness, and breathing difficulties. The reception staff immediately informed us that we would not be seen by the GP due to our tardiness. I pleaded with them to communicate the severity of my wife's condition to the doctor, explaining that she was distressed and in tears, but the initial reception response demonstrated zero compassion. Even after being informed of our circumstances, the doctor refused to see us. I'm bewildered by such unprofessional behavior and complete lack of patient empathy. We simply required a brief 5-10 minute consultation. Ultimately, I was forced to urgently transport my wife to Crawley A&E, where we remained with our two children until 10 PM. It's utterly shameful that despite substantial national insurance contributions, patients receive such appalling treatment. One staff member did show kindness, sitting with us and expressing understanding, having small children herself. While I don't blame the individual reception staff, this represents a systemic failure. My sincere appeal is for greater patient compassion. #NHS

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KA

Kaprissa A. Google 6 years ago

Rating

Poor!

Unprofessional doctor with poor patient communication

Visited Dr. Han with my infant today for two health concerns: an eye infection and reflux. She prescribed a reflux medication that's custom-compounded, meaning it'll take several days to prepare and isn't readily available at local pharmacies. Regarding the eye infection, she assured me she would contact me about finding an appropriate treatment for young children. However, she never followed through with her promise, leaving my baby continuing to struggle. During the consultation, she seemed extremely hurried, and before I could fully articulate my concerns, she was already moving to end the appointment and open the door.

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SD

Sacha D. Google 6 years ago

Rating

Excellent!

Compassionate jess saved my life during tough time

Jess, the receptionist, is truly an exceptional individual who embodies compassion and support. When I arrived for surgery without an appointment, feeling emotionally fragile, her incredible kindness made all the difference. Her empathy and assistance were so profound that I genuinely believe her care was instrumental in helping me through a critical moment in my life.

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ZH

Z H. Google 6 years ago

Rating

Excellent!

Miracle doctor saves newborn's eye without surgery

The surgical team was exceptional, with compassionate physicians and incredibly supportive personnel who consistently demonstrate a helpful attitude. I want to express my sincere gratitude to Dr. Bhavani Vijaykumar. My infant was experiencing a persistent eye issue involving a blocked tear duct, causing constant discharge and discomfort. Despite attempting three rounds of antibiotics without success, Dr. Vijaykumar suggested a simple saline spray solution that effectively resolved the blockage. Thanks to her recommendation, we've avoided the need for a surgical intervention. Our heartfelt appreciation goes out to the entire medical team.

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DB

Darren B. Google 7 years ago

Rating

Bad!

Terrible service and total disrespect for customers

Scheduled my initial consultation for 8:30 in the morning and arrived punctually. Despite being there on time, I was left waiting for 25 minutes without being seen. I approached the front desk to inquire about the delay, and they verified that the professional I was there to meet was present. After an additional 10 minutes, I was forced to depart without any explanation or being called in. It's a complete disorganization. What's frustrating is that this isn't an isolated incident - it's happened before!

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NT

Nathan T. Google 7 years ago

Rating

Excellent!

Compassionate healthcare that truly makes a difference

Unfailingly top-notch, compassionate treatment and support provided by every single employee.

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Practice Response Rate
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About the GP

  • Accepts all feedback, both positive and negative.

Contact Information

  • 01293 771200
  • Birchwood Medical Prac The Health Ctr,Kings Road Horley Surrey RH6 7DG

Patient Experience Summary

Patient feedback reflects a mixed experience with significant variation in service quality across different areas. Appointment access remains a persistent challenge, with many patients reporting difficulty securing timely slots, lengthy phone waiting times, and system overload during peak periods. Reception experience is inconsistent, ranging from warm and supportive interactions to instances of discourtesy and poor communication. Phone systems present ongoing difficulties, including disconnections and extended hold times. However, clinical care receives substantial positive feedback, with patients frequently praising doctors for compassion, attentiveness, and professional expertise. Many patients report feeling genuinely listened to during consultations and value the continuity of care they receive.

Communication failures and disorganisation emerge as recurring concerns, particularly around prescription processing delays, missed telephone appointments, and conflicting information from staff members. Some patients describe waiting experiences that lack acknowledgment or explanation, contributing to frustration. Conversely, numerous reviews highlight exceptional responsiveness from the practice when patients do connect with services, with staff going above and beyond to assist with urgent needs.

The practice demonstrates capability in efficient service delivery during specific initiatives, such as vaccination clinics, and maintains strong professional standards in clinical consultations. However, systemic issues with appointment availability, reception courtesy, and administrative coordination appear to undermine the overall patient experience for a significant proportion of users, despite genuine efforts from many team members to provide compassionate care.

Appointment

45.23 %
Poor

Reception

48.76 %
Poor

Cleanliness

65.00 %
Great

Care

58.91 %
Average

Respect

52.14 %
Average

Seen on time

42.86 %
Poor
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