Patient Experience Summary

Patient feedback reveals a mixed experience with significant variation in service quality across different areas of the practice. Clinical competence is widely recognised, with many patients praising the professionalism and expertise of medical staff. However, appointment access and waiting experience present consistent challenges, with patients reporting difficulties booking appointments, frequent delays running well beyond scheduled times, and extended waits for telephone consultations. Reception experience is similarly polarised, with some patients describing courteous and supportive interactions, whilst others report dismissive, unhelpful, or unwelcoming behaviour. Communication gaps emerge as a recurring concern, including issues with care coordination, unclear messaging about appointment types, and inadequate follow-up arrangements. Several patients describe feeling unheard or dismissed during consultations, particularly regarding symptom exploration and continuity of care. Organisational inefficiency is evident in pharmacy service problems, incomplete record transfers, and administrative oversights such as patients being removed from lists without notification. Whilst some long-term patients report consistently positive experiences and reassurance from the practice, others have transferred to alternative providers following disappointing interactions, suggesting that service quality and patient experience vary considerably depending on individual circumstances and which team members are involved.

The practice demonstrates particular strength in clinical care delivery and professional expertise, with reception staff often showing genuine courtesy and willingness to assist. Conversely, accessibility challenges around appointment booking and phone lines, combined with inconsistent reception courtesy and variable clinical responsiveness to patient concerns, represent significant areas requiring improvement. Several patients noted that single negative interactions have substantially affected their overall perception of the service, indicating that consistency in approach across all team members would enhance confidence in the practice.

Appointment

42.15 %
Poor

Reception

48.76 %
Poor

Cleanliness

65.00 %
Great

Care

56.89 %
Average

Respect

51.43 %
Average

Seen on time

38.92 %
Poor

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CR

Ce R. Google 4 months ago

Rating

Bad!

Removed as patient without any warning

I was removed from the patient list without any prior notification, which has prevented me from being able to request my regular medication that I depend on. I find it concerning that this action was taken without informing me, especially as I have not relocated. This situation feels like a significant oversight in the practice's procedures.

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MG

Mandy G. Google 8 months ago

Rating

Excellent!

Receptionist helped arrange prescription while away

Called to arrange some medication for a family member who was travelling away. The receptionist was very helpful and liaised with a clinician to arrange for a prescription to be dispatched promptly to a local pharmacy. Appreciated the efficient service provided.

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AK

Adam K. Google 8 months ago

Rating

Excellent!

Helpful staff let down by one rude receptionist

I have found this surgery to be excellent in most respects, with staff who are consistently helpful and willing to go the extra mile, setting a positive example compared to other practices. The care I received during a period of illness was particularly thorough and attentive. However, my recent experience was quite different. When I contacted the practice today regarding a prescription matter ahead of travelling away, I encountered a receptionist who came across as dismissive and unhelpful. It is disappointing how a single interaction can significantly affect one's overall perception of a service. I would suggest that some additional customer service training could be beneficial, as it would help ensure all team members approach conversations with greater consideration for the person they are speaking with.

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JM

Jak M. Google 9 months ago

Rating

Excellent!

Mostly good doctors, one disappointing appointment

Brilliant doctors overall except for one bad experience with a particular clinician😡 but I no longer see them if I can help it. The best doctors at the practice have got to be the other two senior clinicians there.

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JS

Jamie S. Google 10 months ago

Rating

Excellent!

Fast and friendly vasectomy procedure

Had a procedure done this morning and the staff were very friendly. The appointment went quickly and was painless. Excellent service 👍

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TW

Tom W. Google 10 months ago

Rating

Excellent!

Responsive callbacks without the early morning rush

Quite satisfied with this practice compared to other surgeries I've used. There's no requirement to call at 8 am as with some other places. Instead, they respond to you within a few days. They're transparent about their contact details and they leave a voicemail if they're unable to reach you.

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A1

Anonymous 1. Google 11 months ago

Rating

Bad!

Reception staff kind, but appointments feel dismissive

I would rate this experience as poorly as possible. I have encountered difficulties with multiple clinicians who have made me feel unwelcome and undervalued. The practice does not seem to prioritise understanding patients' perspectives and circumstances. During a recent appointment, I felt dismissed when I requested a second opinion, being told the clinician would not engage further. I perceived this response as dismissive of my concerns and felt my request was characterised as unreasonable. The appointment ended very quickly, and I left feeling distressed and anxious. After years of seeking support for my health concerns, this interaction felt particularly disrespectful. In contrast, the reception team have consistently shown me kindness and understanding. I would caution others about my experience at this practice.

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BR

Becky R. Google one year ago

Rating

Poor!

Felt unheard and dismissed during appointment

On my first visit to the surgery, I found the consultation disappointing. I felt that my concerns were not taken seriously and that there was limited willingness to explore my symptoms further. I left the appointment feeling disheartened and uncertain about returning for additional support, as I did not feel heard or understood during the discussion about my ongoing health issues. In contrast, my experiences with other clinicians at the practice and the reception team have been positive and supportive.

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АС

Анастасія С. Google one year ago

Rating

Poor!

Doctor wouldn't listen or show respect

Unfortunately, this was not my first visit to this particular clinician, and each time I encountered similar concerns — a perceived lack of professionalism and consideration for patients. During my visits, I felt that my complaints were not adequately addressed, that I was not being listened to, and that there was limited effort to understand my concerns. During my most recent appointment, I found the interaction to be unsatisfactory. Rather than receiving the support I sought, the appointment became difficult, with raised voices, and I was asked to leave the office. I left feeling upset and distressed by how the appointment had concluded. I felt this approach was not appropriate for a healthcare setting. Based on my experiences, I did not feel this clinician demonstrated the level of professionalism, attentiveness, and interpersonal skills I would expect from a healthcare provider. I would suggest that those seeking a supportive and respectful consultation experience may wish to consider alternative options. In contrast, I have had excellent experiences with other clinicians at the practice. They have demonstrated professionalism, attentiveness, and genuine care for their patients' wellbeing. The reception team has also been consistently polite, helpful, and welcoming, making me feel comfortable and heard. My appointments with these clinicians have been positive and reassuring. However, my experience with the first clinician mentioned was notably different and concerning.

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EP

Eve P. Google one year ago

Rating

Bad!

Receptionists kind but doctors dismissive of home visit request

The reception staff are considerate and supportive, however the clinical team's approach has been disappointing. Following a surgical procedure, I identified what appeared to be an incomplete aspect of my aftercare at the three-week mark. After seeking guidance from NHS 111, I contacted my GP surgery requesting a home visit from a nurse, as my mobility was significantly limited and my living situation presented practical challenges that made attending an appointment risky. I was informed that the clinician would need to assess the request. After a five-hour wait, I was advised that a home visit was not considered appropriate given my recent clearance to resume certain activities, despite the fact that doing so remains genuinely difficult for me and my accommodation has multiple obstacles. An appointment was instead scheduled at an external healthcare facility in the evening, which felt unsafe given my current mobility restrictions. I took the initiative to contact district nursing services directly and was able to receive the support I needed. They were also able to arrange a follow-up visit to monitor my recovery. Due to my experience with how this situation was handled, I have decided to register with a different GP practice.

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CB

Chris B. Google one year ago

Rating

Excellent!

Practice gave genuine support when we needed it

An excellent practice and service from all the team who are providing substantial support to my parents during a challenging period, with particular appreciation for the caring approach shown during this time.

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JR

Joel R. Google one year ago

Rating

Great!

Felt reassured during minor surgery procedure

I recently had a minor surgical procedure at this practice and found the clinical team's approach to patient care to be excellent. They were particularly considerate given my anxiety around certain aspects of medical treatment.

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CB

Charlie B. Google one year ago

Rating

Poor!

Reception messaging could be clearer about appointment types

I have generally been satisfied with this practice until today. After receiving a text message regarding what appeared to be an appointment scheduled for that day, I was confused as I had no memory of booking anything. When I called to clarify, I was informed that it was not actually an appointment but rather a booking to retrieve information from a monitoring device. However, the message itself referred to it as an appointment and included a cancellation link, which understandably caused the confusion. The receptionist explained that this is simply how their messages are formatted. Had I not made that call to check, I would have unnecessarily disrupted my day and rearranged my schedule based on what I believed to be a confirmed appointment. It would have been beneficial if the communication during this call had been delivered in a friendlier manner. I have previously experienced pleasant interactions with reception staff, but this interaction fell short of that standard. The issue appears to stem from how the message was worded and presented. It might be helpful if the practice could revise the text format to make it clearer whether the communication is confirming an actual appointment or simply providing a notification.

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MR

Mr R. Google one year ago

Rating

Bad!

Difficult to book appointments and felt unheard

I have experienced significant difficulties with this practice. The clinical staff appear dismissive and unresponsive to patient concerns, and I feel that management does not adequately oversee patient care or demonstrate sufficient engagement with service quality. The approach taken by the clinical team feels impersonal, as though patients are being passed between staff members without proper attention to individual needs. The appointment system presents considerable challenges. Consultations frequently run behind schedule, and booking appointments is a frustrating process. Each visit has left me without satisfactory outcomes or answers to my health concerns, which I attribute to a lack of accountability and professionalism within the practice leadership and clinical team. Overall, this has been an unsatisfactory experience with the practice and its service delivery. I would not recommend this surgery to others seeking healthcare.

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AG

Andy G. Google one year ago

Rating

Bad!

Reception staff dismissive and prescriptions often wrong

I have found the service provided to be significantly below the standard I would expect. There have been recurring issues with administrative processes, inconsistent care coordination, and a concerning lack of depth in addressing medical requirements. I would recommend exploring other healthcare options that may better meet your needs.

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KP

Kay P. Google one year ago

Rating

Bad!

Reception staff were dismissive and unhelpful

The reception team displayed a lack of courtesy and were unwilling to assist. I prefer not to mention my child's details as I am concerned about potential difficulties arising from interactions with the staff.

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MM

Michelle M. Google one year ago

Rating

Excellent!

Good practice let down by recent staff changes

The medical professionals and team members at this practice are genuinely excellent. It is unfortunate that some of the skilled clinicians have moved on.

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GS

George S. Google one year ago

Rating

Bad!

Felt unheard and dismissed at appointment

Registering with this practice appears to pose greater health risks than it provides health benefits.

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RJ

Robert J. Google one year ago

Rating

Bad!

Practice doesn't listen or follow up properly

The practice does not appear to develop care plans, even for patients with multiple ongoing chronic health conditions. I was previously registered as housebound at another surgery, yet here there is consistent pressure to attend appointments in person. Written enquiries are seldom acknowledged or given responses. Upon joining the practice, my health records were not properly transferred, and my patient file lacks a clear overview of my medical conditions or previous hospital stays. During consultations, staff seem to focus on their own priorities rather than genuinely listening to what is being raised. Follow-up care is uncommon. Repeat medications are frequently directed to the incorrect service. Some administrative team members have been unhelpful and occasionally rude, and have not apologised when errors have occurred at the surgery. Wheelchair accessibility is limited to the reception area only. The lift is too small for a standard wheelchair and cannot accommodate a carer alongside a patient. Due to inadequate record-keeping systems, patients must repeatedly provide their medical history at each appointment, which reduces the time available to address the actual reason for the visit.

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GG

George G. Google one year ago

Rating

Bad!

Reception staff attitude made phone calls difficult

The demeanor of a member of the reception team is deeply concerning. When calling the practice, if you make any requests, the response seems to depend entirely on their attitude. If you inquire about test results, you may receive a brief negative answer before the call is ended. This has been my most disappointing experience with a medical practice, and I would recommend considering alternatives if you are thinking of registering elsewhere.

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About the GP

  • Accepts all feedback, both positive and negative.

Contact Information

  • 01325 380640
  • Blacketts Med Practice 63-65 Bondgate Darlington County Durham DL3 7JR

Patient Experience Summary

Patient feedback reveals a mixed experience with significant variation in service quality across different areas of the practice. Clinical competence is widely recognised, with many patients praising the professionalism and expertise of medical staff. However, appointment access and waiting experience present consistent challenges, with patients reporting difficulties booking appointments, frequent delays running well beyond scheduled times, and extended waits for telephone consultations. Reception experience is similarly polarised, with some patients describing courteous and supportive interactions, whilst others report dismissive, unhelpful, or unwelcoming behaviour. Communication gaps emerge as a recurring concern, including issues with care coordination, unclear messaging about appointment types, and inadequate follow-up arrangements. Several patients describe feeling unheard or dismissed during consultations, particularly regarding symptom exploration and continuity of care. Organisational inefficiency is evident in pharmacy service problems, incomplete record transfers, and administrative oversights such as patients being removed from lists without notification. Whilst some long-term patients report consistently positive experiences and reassurance from the practice, others have transferred to alternative providers following disappointing interactions, suggesting that service quality and patient experience vary considerably depending on individual circumstances and which team members are involved.

The practice demonstrates particular strength in clinical care delivery and professional expertise, with reception staff often showing genuine courtesy and willingness to assist. Conversely, accessibility challenges around appointment booking and phone lines, combined with inconsistent reception courtesy and variable clinical responsiveness to patient concerns, represent significant areas requiring improvement. Several patients noted that single negative interactions have substantially affected their overall perception of the service, indicating that consistency in approach across all team members would enhance confidence in the practice.

Appointment

42.15 %
Poor

Reception

48.76 %
Poor

Cleanliness

65.00 %
Great

Care

56.89 %
Average

Respect

51.43 %
Average

Seen on time

38.92 %
Poor
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