Patient Experience Summary

Feedback reveals a sharply divided experience centred on a stark contrast between clinical care and administrative service. The physician receives consistent praise for professional medical expertise and compassionate patient care, with many patients expressing confidence in the quality of clinical consultations. However, this positive assessment is substantially undermined by widespread concerns about the practice's operational infrastructure and reception experience.

Access to appointments presents a significant barrier, with patients reporting extended waiting periods, difficulty reaching the practice by phone, and challenges securing timely bookings. Communication responsiveness is a recurring concern, with many describing unanswered calls, automated systems without human contact, and inadequate phone availability. The reception experience is particularly problematic, with multiple accounts of discourteous interactions, dismissive attitudes, and unprofessional communication that has deterred patients from continuing care despite valuing the physician.

The practice environment itself is frequently described as outdated and unwelcoming, with cramped facilities and worn furnishings contributing to an overall impression of neglect. Systemic issues including disorganised record-keeping, delayed referral processing, and reliance on outdated booking methods compound these concerns. While some patients report smooth appointment scheduling and welcoming staff interactions, the predominance of negative feedback regarding accessibility, courtesy, and facility standards suggests these represent exceptions rather than consistent service standards.

Appointment

31.20 %
Bad

Reception

28.45 %
Bad

Cleanliness

35.50 %
Poor

Care

68.30 %
Great

Respect

32.80 %
Bad

Seen on time

38.90 %
Poor

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CI

Christine I. Google 10 months ago

Rating

Excellent!

Friendly care with Dr Marks at the helm

A delightful medical practice staffed by caring professionals dedicated to your wellbeing. The team consistently demonstrates politeness and a willingness to help. Their approach is marked by genuine respect. Dr Marks communicates with patients in an engaging manner, treating them as partners in their healthcare. There's a pleasant sense of camaraderie among patients in the waiting area. While occasional longer wait times can occur, this is typical across NHS general practices. Dr Marks stands out for their innovative and proactive approach to ensuring patients receive comprehensive and accurate medical guidance and support.

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LL

Ladybean L. Google one year ago

Rating

Bad!

Terrible wait and dismissive doctor

not only do you have to endure an excessively long wait of around 90 minutes for an appointment despite arriving well ahead of time, but the physician comes across as completely indifferent. i was essentially told that my skin condition is insignificant and therefore untreatable... subsequently, i consulted another skin specialist who diagnosed my condition as critically serious and warned me that i'm at significant risk of developing sepsis.

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JC

Jimmy C. Google one year ago

Rating

Poor!

Endless queue and no doctor in sight

Terrible experience trying to book a doctor's appointment. Spent an excruciating hour in the queue with no success, still stuck on hold. The system is completely broken. Even if you manage to get through to a good doctor, the process is nightmarish. I just want to see any available physician. After an additional 30 minutes, I'm still number one in the queue, and now the surgery is closed. While waiting, I witnessed three people attempting to schedule appointments - why does this take so long? Surely booking four people shouldn't consume nearly two hours. This is absolutely unacceptable. I'm left wondering what to do next. A&E seems like the only option now. At 66 years old, I rarely visit doctors - I've been fortunate with my health. I had no idea the booking process was this abysmal.

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JD

Jennifer D. Google one year ago

Rating

Excellent!

Professional care with friendly approach

Dr. Marks and his team consistently demonstrate professionalism, treating patients with genuine care and conducting comprehensive examinations.

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SL

Steviejayne L. Google one year ago

Rating

Bad!

Francine made me dread my doctor's visit

The receptionist, Francine, is incredibly unprofessional and her demeanor has caused me significant emotional distress. Her unpleasant attitude has completely deterred me from returning to this medical practice.

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RR

Rachel R. Google one year ago

Rating

Excellent!

Friendly receptionist made my day

Exceptional customer support.... C, you are absolutely outstanding as a receptionist, truly a gem of an employee xx

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TL

Terry L. Google one year ago

Rating

Excellent!

Longtime patients love this doctor's care

My spouse and I have been Dr. Marks' patients throughout his entire medical career, and we've never experienced any issues with him or his team. The care we receive is unparalleled, and we feel incredibly fortunate to be under his professional guidance.

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FG

Francesca G. Google one year ago

Rating

Bad!

Francine made me dread my doctor's visit

I've been a patient at this medical practice for years, and I must point out that one receptionist, Francine specifically, consistently demonstrates a rude and condescending attitude, always believing she's infallible. While the other receptionists are wonderful and I've always had pleasant interactions with them, Francine appears completely incompetent. She makes numerous errors that generate significant stress and distress for patients, myself included. Similarly, Doctor Marks is equally problematic - consultations feel rushed, and he seems utterly detached from patient care. His demeanor lacks warmth, and I never feel genuinely heard or cared for during appointments. The entire practice seems overwhelmed, treating patients impersonally and speaking to us dismissively, as if we were children. The lack of empathy and respect is intolerable. I've reached my limit and will be transferring my medical records to another surgery immediately!!!!

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RL

Ricardo L. Google one year ago

Rating

Bad!

Waited 25 minutes for unhelpful staff

Every single interaction with this establishment is a constant source of frustration. Whether I'm attempting to make a booking or handle any matter, complications always arise. This time, I was forced to endure a 25-minute wait before anyone would even acknowledge the phone, with staff members seemingly more engaged in conversations among themselves. Recently, my partner, who isn't fluent in English, tried to schedule an appointment for our child. Shockingly, the receptionist began criticizing her for being in the UK without perfect language skills. It's appalling that when we're seeking medical assistance for genuine health concerns, we're made to feel like we're begging for basic human decency and professional courtesy.

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DN

Doralda N. Google one year ago

Rating

Excellent!

My first doctor checkup ever

This is hands down the most incredible general practitioner I've ever encountered. Absolutely top-notch medical care and an incredible bedside manner that makes every visit comfortable and reassuring.

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LH

Lyn H. Google one year ago

Rating

Bad!

Painful phone wait and zero help

Waited for 55 minutes, first in line, only to be disconnected and forced to restart the process. My sole intention was to confirm my appointment details. Ultimately, I abandoned my attempt. Their antiquated approach is frustrating - no online booking platform or text notifications. Truly an inefficient and outdated system.

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HJ

Hay J. Google 2 years ago

Rating

Bad!

Endless wait made me lose my mind

One star is actually too kind - I've been stuck on hold for an hour and a half just attempting to cancel my scheduled visit. It's utterly unacceptable that they then threaten to call me if I don't cancel? I've been first in line for over half an hour, and their front desk staff desperately need a complete overhaul!

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MK

Mo K. Google 2 years ago

Rating

Poor!

Long wait times for urgent care

A compact, antiquated medical practice with minimal staff - just a single receptionist and one physician. The clinic experiences significant overcrowding. At present, scheduling is backed up to July, meaning if you're dealing with a condition needing immediate medical evaluation, you'll be waiting months for an appointment. Not a practice I can endorse.

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PN

Pav N. Google 2 years ago

Rating

Bad!

Rude receptionist ruined my healthcare experience

Absolutely dreadful medical practice! I recently registered here after moving to the neighborhood. The receptionist is hands-down the most disrespectful staff member I've ever encountered. I've observed her treating patients with shocking unprofessionalism and what seems like discriminatory language. It's incomprehensible how she remains employed. The only reason I'm still registered here is because of my newborn child, but I've already started paperwork to transfer to another GP. STEER CLEAR! During a particularly horrific incident, she even told patients to leave if they were unhappy. When I needed urgent help after my stitches reopened post-childbirth and tried to request an appointment, she berated me while I was in significant distress. The entire experience has been completely unacceptable 🙏🏽

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RP

Rachel P. Google 2 years ago

Rating

Poor!

Rude receptionist ruined our doctor's care

My partner and father-in-law have been long-standing patients at this surgery, consistently praising Dr. Marks. While I also find him to be excellent, the receptionist is significantly undermining the practice's reputation. On multiple occasions, I've attempted to secure an appointment for my son. When he was 8 months old, I was harshly berated over the phone for following up on a promised callback, with the receptionist aggressively questioning my right to do so. Recently, when trying to book an appointment for my 1-year-old with a suspected ringworm issue, the receptionist flatly refused and suggested a later phone consultation. Given his poor condition, I brought him directly to the clinic. The Doctor kindly examined him, but the receptionist then rudely interrupted, criticizing us for arriving without an appointment and insisting the Doctor would contact us when convenient. Tragically, my son was hospitalized the next day with tonsillitis that progressed to sepsis. The A&E staff at Queens emphasized how critical it was that we sought immediate medical attention. It's deeply disappointing to write such a negative review, as I believe Dr. Marks is an exceptional physician. However, I'll be transferring to another practice that demonstrates more compassionate care for children.

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TS

Tajinder S. Google 2 years ago

Rating

Excellent!

Smooth dental care for years now

I've been a patient at this medical office for 24 months, and everything has consistently gone smoothly without any issues.

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VP

Vijeta P. Google 2 years ago

Rating

Bad!

Rude receptionist ruined my medical registration

I visited this medical practice some time back to complete my registration in person, and it took an extended period before I was contacted, whereas another GP practice managed to process my registration within a mere seven days. During my interaction, the receptionist was incredibly loud, speaking over me without allowing any opportunity for dialogue, and demonstrated an appalling level of unprofessionalism. The customer service was utterly unacceptable, and the staff showed a complete disregard for basic courtesy. I strongly advise steering clear of this facility if you wish to avoid being verbally assaulted.

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JB

Jane B. Google 2 years ago

Rating

Excellent!

Friendly doctor and staff for seniors

I've been a patient at this medical practice for over 60 years, and they've consistently provided exceptional care. The staff is always welcoming, prioritizing patient safety, and Dr. Marks is an outstanding physician.

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LP

Leah P. Google 2 years ago

Rating

Bad!

Impossible to book morning appointments

Utterly disgraceful. Securing an appointment is an absolute nightmare. When I need morning slots, I start dialing at 7:58am, and after approximately 200 attempts, I might—if I'm fortunate—snag a late afternoon booking. I've physically visited the clinic right after 8am to understand why my calls go unanswered, yet no one responds to the phone or door. The entire experience is incredibly exasperating, particularly when medical attention is urgent. Moreover, one of the receptionists is hands-down the most discourteous individual I've ever encountered, consistently antagonistic towards patients. During one incident, I briefly stepped out to check on my children, and when the doctor specifically instructed me to return and knock on his door, I did so. The receptionist then attempted to humiliate me in front of other patients, claiming I couldn't enter, until the doctor himself confirmed he had summoned me. I absolutely cannot recommend this practice under any circumstances!!!!

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CG

Carly G. Google 2 years ago

Rating

Bad!

Rude staff and zero patient care

Steer clear of this practice! ⚠️ Extremely unprofessional staff who are discourteous and unhelpful. I've observed the receptionist on FaceTime while ignoring incoming calls. Securing an appointment is challenging, and even when you do, expect delays as the doctor isn't always present. The scheduling seems chaotic, with receptionists double-booking and creating confusion. The waiting area is cramped, with merely 3 chairs and a unwelcoming, dilapidated environment. This NHS practice desperately needs investigation. The receptionist's behavior is appalling - she instructs patients to call back, then criticizes them when they do. Her incompetence is compounded by providing incorrect information, likely because she's the doctor's wife. Her interpersonal skills are non-existent. When I questioned her approach, she suggested I help her due to understaffing, which I found completely inappropriate. Rather than engage in an argumentative conversation, I ended the call, refusing to be spoken to disrespectfully. The doctors are equally problematic, forming an unpleasant duo. This reflects the declining standards of NHS healthcare. Their fundamental role is to assist patients, yet they seem to have forgotten basic compassion. Receptionists should remember they're not medical professionals and need significant customer service training. Vulnerable patients seeking help deserve empathy, not dismissal or rudeness.

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About the GP

  • Accepts all feedback, both positive and negative.

Contact Information

Brentwood Road Medical Centre (Dr Mark's Surgery)

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Patient Experience Summary

Feedback reveals a sharply divided experience centred on a stark contrast between clinical care and administrative service. The physician receives consistent praise for professional medical expertise and compassionate patient care, with many patients expressing confidence in the quality of clinical consultations. However, this positive assessment is substantially undermined by widespread concerns about the practice's operational infrastructure and reception experience.

Access to appointments presents a significant barrier, with patients reporting extended waiting periods, difficulty reaching the practice by phone, and challenges securing timely bookings. Communication responsiveness is a recurring concern, with many describing unanswered calls, automated systems without human contact, and inadequate phone availability. The reception experience is particularly problematic, with multiple accounts of discourteous interactions, dismissive attitudes, and unprofessional communication that has deterred patients from continuing care despite valuing the physician.

The practice environment itself is frequently described as outdated and unwelcoming, with cramped facilities and worn furnishings contributing to an overall impression of neglect. Systemic issues including disorganised record-keeping, delayed referral processing, and reliance on outdated booking methods compound these concerns. While some patients report smooth appointment scheduling and welcoming staff interactions, the predominance of negative feedback regarding accessibility, courtesy, and facility standards suggests these represent exceptions rather than consistent service standards.

Appointment

31.20 %
Bad

Reception

28.45 %
Bad

Cleanliness

35.50 %
Poor

Care

68.30 %
Great

Respect

32.80 %
Bad

Seen on time

38.90 %
Poor
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