Birkwood Medical Centre

Friendly staff made the visit pleasant

Excellent and welcoming team providing good care.

Phone callback system works really well

The new telephone callback system is an excellent initiative and functions effectively. Outstanding service with very helpful reception staff who are understanding and efficient.

Nurse followed up after appointment with care

I have experienced ongoing challenges with managing my condition. I attended an appointment with a member of the nursing team who specialises in this area. The appointment was excellent – they took time to thoroughly discuss the various treatment approaches available to me. A few weeks after our meeting, they proactively contacted me to see how I was progressing with the recommended changes. This follow-up care was particularly impressive, as I have not previously encountered a clinician who made such an effort to check in after an initial consultation. Their approach of going the extra mile was greatly appreciated.

Reception kept me waiting on hold

The receptionist at the desk put me on hold with music playing when I requested to speak with the practice manager, and I was left waiting without further assistance.

Easy to book appointments and minimal wait times

I have consistently been able to secure appointments without difficulty and have not experienced problems with waiting times. I recognise that the practice manages a substantial patient load throughout each day and I believe they handle this workload effectively.

Staff were kind during a difficult visit

Throughout my time as a patient, I have encountered no issues whatsoever at this medical centre. The team members have consistently demonstrated kindness, thoughtfulness and genuine care, particularly during a challenging health situation I experienced at the practice. I am grateful to everyone involved.

Reception staff were genuinely helpful and welcoming

I recently visited the practice for a blood pressure check. The healthcare professional who saw me took a blood sample and provided helpful guidance on dietary planning. Given my background knowledge of diabetes management, I appreciated their expertise in this area. They also informed me about an available course covering diabetes education and nutritional information. Throughout the appointment, they maintained a cheerful and caring demeanor. The reception staff were equally helpful and welcoming. I'm pleased with the service provided by everyone at the practice.

Long phone waits and slow action on requests

A disappointing experience overall. I encountered what felt like multiple operational issues involving various staff members, and there seemed to be a lack of clarity about processes. The cumulative effect of these concerns created considerable frustration and wasted time. Reaching the practice by phone proved particularly challenging, with lengthy wait times and an unhelpful automated system, even when appearing to be prioritised in the queue. The efficiency of staff operations felt questionable throughout. That said, some team members did demonstrate helpfulness and professionalism. One notable concern was the considerable delay in implementing referral requests through to the practice. The quality of service appears inconsistent. I would consider exploring alternative healthcare providers if options were available.

Felt genuinely listened to and understood

I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to everyone at the practice. During my recent visit, I felt genuinely heard and valued, and received complete attention and care from the clinician I saw. Given my circumstances and health concerns, this level of engagement has been truly meaningful to me. I also wish to express my appreciation to another clinician at the practice who has played an important role in supporting my recovery and wellbeing. Both practitioners have demonstrated a genuine commitment to their profession and patient care. The reception team and all the support staff, including the clinical team members, are wonderful assets to the surgery. They are consistently helpful, professional, and nothing seems too much trouble for them. I am very grateful for their contributions. I would encourage anyone using this service to recognise the genuine efforts made by the team here. Many thanks to everyone involved.

Long wait times and dismissive staff attitude

Extremely disappointing experience. The clinical staff seemed indifferent to patient concerns. I waited considerably longer than my scheduled appointment time and ultimately decided to leave without being seen. The information I needed could have been communicated via telephone. Additionally, the reception team appeared unavailable at the desk when assistance was required.

Phone queues make appointments nearly impossible

This surgery has not met my expectations. I have felt that my family and I have not been treated with the respect we deserve. Getting through on the phone takes considerable time, and we are frequently told there are no available appointments for that day. As someone working full-time, accessing appointments has proven extremely challenging and often feels unachievable. The reception team have seemed dismissive of my concerns and have suggested alternatives rather than offering support. Despite contributing through taxes, I have struggled to see a healthcare professional when needed. I am disappointed with my experience at this practice and would welcome recommendations for alternatives.

Staff were friendly and helpful

The team here is pleasant and helpful.

Prescription delivery failed twice for elderly patient

The pharmacy was supposed to deliver medication on Friday but it did not arrive. When a follow-up call was made on Monday to confirm, staff indicated the delivery was still on its way, however it failed to materialise again. This represents a concerning failure in service delivery for a vulnerable patient. If the medication does not arrive by Tuesday, further action will be considered.

Good place to get seen quickly

It's a decent practice.

Long waits despite having an appointment

The morning telephone queue times are frustratingly long. Waiting periods at the practice exceed an hour even with a scheduled appointment slot, despite the reception area appearing quiet. Other patients have expressed similar frustrations about delays, indicating this is an ongoing issue. Consider exploring alternative healthcare providers if possible.

Staff were helpful and easy to deal with

The team here is consistently supportive and pleasant to interact with.

Felt reassured during routine appointment visit

I attended my appointment at the local surgery today for a routine screening procedure that I had been delaying for quite some time. The healthcare professional I saw was wonderfully reassuring and helped to ease my anxieties right from the start. I'm grateful for how they made me feel more relaxed and confident about attending for similar appointments in the future.

Getting an appointment here is quite difficult

The practice has a pleasant atmosphere and the reception team are genuinely supportive. The main challenge is managing to secure an appointment.

Long phone queues and dismissive appointments here

I have been attending this medical centre since childhood, during an era when continuity of care with a familiar practitioner was the norm. The practice has experienced a notable decline in service quality. Telephone access presents significant challenges, with extended waiting times to reach the queue, and calls frequently disconnect before being answered. Securing an in-person appointment proves difficult, with telephone consultations offered as an alternative, which raises questions about diagnostic effectiveness through remote assessment. When appointments are obtained, interactions with clinical staff can feel dismissive and condescending. There is one practitioner whose approach is notably more positive and whose availability is consequently in high demand. This situation reflects broader challenges affecting many NHS practices, characterised by underutilised facilities and limited appointment availability.

Practice removed my previous review

My previous feedback appears to have been deleted. I find it difficult to understand how the practices at this medical centre could be considered acceptable. I believe the standard of care fell significantly short of what I would expect.