Patient Experience Summary

Patient feedback reveals a significantly mixed experience with this GP practice, with stark contrasts between clinical and administrative service quality. Medical staff, including doctors and nurses, consistently receive praise for professionalism, compassion, and skilled care, with particular recognition for their attentiveness during procedures and consultations. However, reception and administrative functions present substantial challenges that dominate negative feedback.

Patients report persistent difficulties with appointment access, including long waiting times, complex booking systems, and inconsistent availability, with some describing the process as frustrating and illogical. Communication issues are widespread, with complaints about reception rudeness, lack of responsiveness, and poor handling of patient inquiries. The practice's shift toward online consultation platforms has created additional barriers, particularly for older patients unfamiliar with digital systems.

While some patients report seamless booking experiences and courteous staff interactions, others describe reception personnel as dismissive and unhelpful. Service quality appears inconsistent, with waiting experiences ranging from prompt same-day appointments to extended delays exceeding an hour. The gap between clinical excellence and administrative inefficiency represents the practice's most significant challenge.

Appointment

41.23 %
Poor

Reception

38.92 %
Poor

Cleanliness

72.15 %
Great

Care

68.45 %
Great

Respect

45.67 %
Poor

Seen on time

48.56 %
Poor

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R(

Roger (. Google 10 months ago

Rating

Great!

Dedicated nhs team provides compassionate and thorough care

A superb medical facility with the typical challenges of the National Health Service. A skilled team of medical professionals, including doctors, nurses, paramedics, and other specialized services. Previously, doctors were strictly time-bound, but now they demonstrate flexibility, especially for patients with complex health conditions, taking time to thoroughly discuss concerns and associated issues. While receptionists often face criticism, I personally have never encountered any difficulties. I can empathize with their challenges, having observed the unrealistic expectations some patients bring. GP appointments are inherently time-restricted, and for many individuals, consulting one of the two local pharmacies can quickly address their medical needs. However, the facility is not without room for improvement. The newsletter provides minimal insight into internal developments, such as staff transitions. The automated telephone system can be frustrating due to lengthy and repetitive messages. It remains unclear whether a call-back option exists when waiting in the queue. Parking is generally abundant near the surgery, but remember to collect a ticket from the machine. The first 30 minutes are complimentary (though the app inexplicably fails to recognize this free parking period).

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SM

Sian M. Google 11 months ago

Rating

Bad!

Terrible gp experience with rude and unprofessional service

Recently scheduled an appointment for our young child, we were left waiting for nearly an hour beyond the set time. Keeping a sick toddler calm in a medical office is incredibly challenging. When we were finally called in, there was a used plate and open condiment bottle on the table. While I completely understand healthcare professionals needing breaks and meal times, the timing felt extremely inconsiderate. I might have overlooked this if the doctor hadn't been so dismissive. He was incredibly indifferent, interrupted me when I tried to share my concerns, and repeatedly showed irritation at my upset child. We ultimately ended up contacting medical advice services later that day and received far superior care. I'm baffled why I haven't changed medical practices yet, as every single appointment leaves us feeling frustrated and let down.

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GR

Graham R. Google 11 months ago

Rating

Great!

Clean and simple just like the product

Exactly as anticipated - tidy and well-maintained.

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LL

Lisam L. Google one year ago

Rating

Excellent!

Amazing healthcare experience from childhood onward

I've been a patient at this medical practice for an extended period, dating back to my youth, and I've consistently experienced exceptional care. I cannot emphasize enough how outstanding they are. The entire team, from doctors to nurses, is absolutely incredible.

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MR

Maria R. Google one year ago

Rating

Excellent!

Compassionate care from exceptional medical team

Exceptional personnel and medical experts who deliver top-notch healthcare services with professionalism and skill.

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SC

Sam C. Google one year ago

Rating

Bad!

Terrible service with zero communication or customer care

Completely pointless. I submitted two online inquiries and was forced to wait a fortnight just to secure an in-person meeting, only to discover I already had a phone consultation that nobody had bothered to communicate to me beforehand. Upon arriving at reception, I learned there were no options to reschedule the appointment earlier. The staff informed me that all consultations will transition to an online platform starting in June, and at that moment, only one patient was present in the waiting area. It's utterly absurd to have invested resources in renovating and expanding this facility when the local community can't effectively utilize its services.

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GC

G C. Google one year ago

Rating

Bad!

Disappointing healthcare experience with zero patient care

One star speaks volumes. A massive financial commitment went into constructing this facility, yet they completely overlooked their personnel... truly an unacceptable justification... Zero compassion, apparent lack of competence might explain why medical professionals steer clear.

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CC

Charmaine C. Google one year ago

Rating

Bad!

Terrible service and unprofessional medical staff nightmare

If I could assign a rating of zero to this surgical practice, I absolutely would. The front desk staff consistently demonstrate appalling manners and are incredibly discourteous. Fortunately, I'm assertive and will not hesitate to speak up when my children's medical well-being is at stake.

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J(

Jo (. Google one year ago

Rating

Poor!

Frustrating wait times at this medical office

Securing an immediate consultation proves to be quite difficult.

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KK

Kb K. Google one year ago

Rating

Bad!

Terrible healthcare experience with dismissive doctor

Absolutely disrespectful healthcare provider who constantly micromanage my medication supply and immediately question my honesty when I explain I've exhausted my prescription. Their condescending attitude and lack of trust make seeking medical care an incredibly frustrating experience.

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DB

Darren B. Google one year ago

Rating

Excellent!

Seamless healthcare with friendly and efficient staff

I have no trouble securing a consultation, and whenever I reach out, the staff consistently demonstrates warmth and professionalism—significantly more welcoming compared to other general practitioners I've encountered. Scheduling has always been smooth for me. My preference is typically for early morning slots, and I've never experienced any delays or long waiting times.

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CM

Carl M. Google one year ago

Rating

Bad!

Awful healthcare experience that left me frustrated

Absolutely terrible experience. The front desk staff weren't to blame, but the overall process was shockingly convoluted and particularly challenging for elderly customers to navigate.

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AG

Amy G. Google one year ago

Rating

Bad!

Terrible customer service ruins entire experience

Absolutely terrible customer service!!! The receptionist was incredibly unprofessional and disrespectful during our phone conversation. If she's so unhappy in her role, she should find a different career instead of treating customers with such contempt and barely doing the minimum required work. Completely unacceptable!!

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CR

Chris R. Google one year ago

Rating

Bad!

Terrible healthcare service that fails patients completely

Is zero stars an option here? Their updated system dictates that pre-existing conditions automatically disqualify you from same-day appointments, regardless of circumstances. Apparently, they're unconcerned whether your health issue intensifies or fluctuates in severity. Just fill out an online form and anticipate a three-day wait before anyone even acknowledges it. Looks like the walk-in centre is our only recourse. They're systematically offloading their responsibilities onto other healthcare services.

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BN

Barry N. Google one year ago

Rating

Bad!

Frustrating experience with unhelpful medical scheduling team

Scheduling a consultation here is an uphill battle, with the front desk personnel displaying a distinct lack of empathy and cooperation.

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KB

Kristina B. Google one year ago

Rating

Bad!

Terrible medical care with rude and dismissive staff

The medical professionals here can occasionally be supportive, but the experience is inconsistent. I've encountered issues with prescriptions never being processed. During a severe health crisis where I was coughing blood, a physician dismissively told me to "simply cough less". The reception area consistently represents the weakest link in this practice. Around 95% of the front desk staff are discourteous and make patients feel like unwelcome burdens. When I urgently needed to consult a doctor today, the phone receptionist flatly refused to schedule me without even inquiring about the nature of my urgent situation. Moreover, I suspect racial or cultural bias plays a role in the varying quality of treatment I receive. When my husband contacts the office, he is invariably treated with markedly more respect and consideration.

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KP

Kelly P. Google 2 years ago

Rating

Bad!

Frustrating healthcare system fails patient communication

I received a text regarding my X-Ray findings and attempted to schedule a consultation with my GP to explore treatment possibilities, but was instead directed to submit an E-Consult form yet again. It's utterly absurd that primary care physicians are unable to offer even the most basic level of medical support! What about all the older individuals who lack digital literacy and struggle with online platforms?

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NT

Nick T. Google 2 years ago

Rating

Excellent!

Speedy service with a caring and efficient doctor

Reached out to the medical practice for a consultation, and to my surprise, a physician returned my call promptly within 20 minutes. They swiftly provided a diagnosis and prescribed medication. If every healthcare interaction could be this efficient and seamless, it would be absolutely fantastic. Maybe this could become the new standard?

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CH

C H. Google 2 years ago

Rating

Bad!

Terrible service with incompetent and unhelpful staff

I'm forced to give a single star, wishing I could rate it even lower. My frustration is directed primarily at the dismissive front desk staff who display complete indifference when critical documents are personally submitted and subsequently vanish into thin air (and it seems this isn't an isolated incident). I escalated my concerns to the practice manager, who pledged to follow up, but surprise surprise - nothing materialized 🙄 The actual physicians are commendable, though their efficiency nosedives when it comes to completing essential paperwork - a £20 task that somehow stretches to a two-month ordeal, conveniently misplacing the initial submission, of course.

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OW

Oliver W. Google 2 years ago

Rating

Excellent!

Compassionate care from a skilled professional

Dr. Rahman deserves recognition for the exceptional care during my injection procedure. Before administering the shot, he took the time to thoroughly explain everything, which helped put me at ease. His attentiveness and professional approach made the entire experience smooth and comfortable. I felt completely supported and well-cared for throughout the entire process. 👌👏

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About the GP

  • Accepts all feedback, both positive and negative.

Contact Information

  • 01279 603180
  • The Central Surgery Bell Street Sawbridgeworth Hertfordshire CM21 9AQ

Patient Experience Summary

Patient feedback reveals a significantly mixed experience with this GP practice, with stark contrasts between clinical and administrative service quality. Medical staff, including doctors and nurses, consistently receive praise for professionalism, compassion, and skilled care, with particular recognition for their attentiveness during procedures and consultations. However, reception and administrative functions present substantial challenges that dominate negative feedback.

Patients report persistent difficulties with appointment access, including long waiting times, complex booking systems, and inconsistent availability, with some describing the process as frustrating and illogical. Communication issues are widespread, with complaints about reception rudeness, lack of responsiveness, and poor handling of patient inquiries. The practice's shift toward online consultation platforms has created additional barriers, particularly for older patients unfamiliar with digital systems.

While some patients report seamless booking experiences and courteous staff interactions, others describe reception personnel as dismissive and unhelpful. Service quality appears inconsistent, with waiting experiences ranging from prompt same-day appointments to extended delays exceeding an hour. The gap between clinical excellence and administrative inefficiency represents the practice's most significant challenge.

Appointment

41.23 %
Poor

Reception

38.92 %
Poor

Cleanliness

72.15 %
Great

Care

68.45 %
Great

Respect

45.67 %
Poor

Seen on time

48.56 %
Poor
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