Bridgegate Medical Centre

Impossible to get an appointment when you need one

It has been difficult to secure an appointment as the preferred clinician has reduced availability. Following a recent surgical procedure, I experienced significant discomfort and was advised by reception staff to use over-the-counter pain relief. When I attempted to visit the surgery in person seeking urgent care, I was instructed to call back the next morning. After waiting on the phone for an extended period, I was informed the earliest available appointment was several weeks away. This experience has been frustrating, and I feel the practice's appointment scheduling system requires substantial improvement.

Frustrating Friday calls about medication changes

The medicines management service frequently contacts patients on Friday afternoons to inform them that prescribed medication cannot be continued, despite recommendations from a consultant. This timing creates difficulties for patients who then face gaps in their medication supply over the weekend and beyond, as obtaining a GP appointment requires considerable waiting time. The appointment booking system presents challenges, with availability extending several weeks ahead and high demand during morning slots. This situation feels frustrating and concerning from a patient safety perspective.

Couldn't get through on the phone

I would not recommend this practice and would suggest exploring other options if possible.

Waiting times reflect genuine medical priorities

I've noticed quite a few negative reviews, but I think it's important to consider that appointment wait times reflect prioritisation. Many people expect same-day access for minor issues like a runny nose or cough. It's worth considering whether a doctor's visit is truly necessary or if the issue might resolve on its own. For ongoing concerns that aren't urgent, waiting for an appointment is sometimes unavoidable. I've experienced this myself previously, though I was fortunate to get seen the next day due to my particular circumstances on that occasion.

Frustrating outdated systems at this practice

This medical centre appears to operate in a manner that I found quite unsatisfactory. The approach to patient care and service delivery seemed outdated and inefficient.

Waiting months for a cancelled procedure appointment

Following on from my earlier feedback, I continue to await a minor procedure that was first discussed with my GP nine months ago. An appointment was scheduled for me last month, however it was cancelled with only a few hours' notice. I was told that I would be prioritised for the next available slot, yet nearly a month has passed without further contact. I feel that the standard of care and responsiveness I have experienced falls short of what I would expect.

Long phone queues made booking difficult

Frustrating experience trying to book an appointment, with a lengthy wait on the phone followed by a considerable delay before being seen.

Long wait for phone consultations and procedures

If I could give no stars I would. I'm currently waiting on three phone consultations for three separate health concerns, with waits exceeding three weeks, plus one minor procedure that has been pending since February. While the clinical staff make genuine efforts, the administrative processes at this practice are extremely poor. Raising concerns with management has been frustrating, as there appears to be a significant delay in addressing written feedback. The overall experience suggests serious systemic issues require attention. I would advise prospective patients to consider alternative options.

Long waits and letters don't resolve issues

I was extremely disappointed with my experience. The standard of care fell well short of my expectations. I submitted a written complaint that did not result in a satisfactory resolution. I was told that a member of the management team would contact me, but this did not happen. When I followed up the next day, I was informed that I would need to submit another written complaint. The practice appears to be significantly understaffed, with waiting areas becoming very crowded during peak times in the morning. I have also found it very difficult to secure appointments. I found this experience deeply frustrating.

Long phone queues made appointment booking impossible

The experience was disappointing. When calling early in the morning, the queue was quite long and after waiting over an hour without progress, I decided to end the call. Attempting again later, it took another hour to reach someone, only to learn that appointment availability was extremely limited for the coming weeks. At that point, it seemed more practical to consider attending an urgent care facility instead, where despite potentially longer wait times on the day, at least being seen would be possible rather than waiting several weeks.

Didn't feel understood about mental health concerns

The practice did not demonstrate a good understanding of mental health issues. The staff communicated in a manner that felt patronising and inappropriate. This would not be a suitable choice for someone seeking care related to mental wellbeing.

Phone queue system makes booking nearly impossible

Extremely poor service experience. When attempting to book an appointment, I was instructed to call at 8am. I explained that I work full-time and cannot use my phone during work hours, but this concern was not acknowledged. When I called at 8:10am on one occasion, there were 28 people ahead in the queue, and as I was at work, I was unable to hold. The following day I called during my lunch break and was number 7 in the queue, but after nearly 3 hours of waiting, I had only progressed to number 2 before I had to disconnect due to other commitments. The reception staff appear dismissive when patients explain their work constraints and inability to remain on hold for extended periods. Despite the practice holding regular training sessions each month, there appears to be no meaningful focus on improving patient service standards.

Always accessible and genuinely helpful

I found this practice online while searching for location details and was surprised to notice the negative feedback, though I suppose people tend to leave reviews when they're frustrated. From my experience, the team has consistently been approachable and supportive.

Reception dismissive when raising concerns

The practice does not adequately address patient concerns. When issues are raised, responses have been unsatisfactory and I would not recommend this GP practice to others. There is significant variation in the quality of care provided depending on which clinician you see. I would caution anyone considering registering here to carefully consider their options first.

Long waits and ignored at reception desk

Struggling to secure an appointment in a timely manner. The reception area experience is frustrating, as staff seem unaware of patients waiting to be attended to. The newly introduced self-service kiosk is available, though concerns exist about hygiene practices. The recommended application has proven unreliable for my use. The appointment booking process is so challenging that I am considering switching to a different practice. That said, once you navigate through the initial barriers and locate where your name is being called—which can be difficult to hear due to the acoustics in the waiting space—the clinical staff are genuinely pleasant, professional, and give adequate time to listen and discuss concerns.

Couldn't get through on the phone

Disappointing experience.

Can't get an appointment for weeks

What use are the medical professionals when you cannot secure an appointment for an extended period?

Impossible booking waits and dismissive reception staff

I wish it were possible to give a lower rating, as that would better reflect my experience. Attempting to secure an appointment at this practice requires considerable patience and optimism. Booking slots are typically several weeks or months away, which seems designed to allow patients time to recover naturally before their scheduled date, or perhaps to reduce no-shows and provide staff with quieter periods. The booking process itself involves contacting reception staff who appear insufficiently trained and unhelpful, invariably informing callers that availability is at least three weeks out. Upon arrival for an appointment, the reception area is often unmanned despite staff being present, suggesting they are occupied elsewhere. Appointments rarely run to schedule, with waits of an hour or more beyond the allocated time being common. Conversely, arriving just a few minutes late results in immediate cancellation with no alternative offered except rebooking weeks ahead. Each visit typically involves a different clinician, and consultations last approximately two minutes before patients are hurried out. Significant health concerns appear to be regularly dismissed, and established procedures do not seem to be consistently followed—a pattern that has persisted for an extended period. The practice appears to only address the most severe conditions, and even then, responses may be inadequate or hampered by administrative failures such as mislaid documentation. The quality of care provided does not justify the public funding invested in staff salaries. To reception staff members: if dissatisfaction with your role is affecting how you treat patients, seeking alternative employment might be beneficial. For those seeking reliable healthcare, alternative providers would be advisable.

Friendly practice where people keep coming back

This is the medical practice that my family member attends, and I also know a few other people who are patients there! 😃 xx

Staff stayed cheerful despite the busy queues

Excellent practice that can get quite hectic during peak times, but the team consistently maintains a friendly and welcoming demeanor. They demonstrate helpfulness and thoughtfulness in their interactions throughout.