Patient Experience Summary

Patient feedback reveals a mixed experience with significant variation in service quality across different areas of the practice. On the positive side, several patients report satisfaction with clinical care, noting compassionate physicians, welcoming reception staff, and reliable nursing support. Some patients specifically commend the practice for proactive health screening and minimal waiting times. However, these positive experiences are substantially offset by widespread concerns about appointment access, with multiple patients describing booking as difficult or impossible, and phone lines frequently blocked or unresponsive.

Communication and follow-up emerge as persistent problem areas. Patients report unresponsive administrative processes, delayed prescription handling, and failures to process referrals or provide promised callbacks. Reception experience is inconsistent, with some praising courtesy and professionalism whilst others describe dismissive or disrespectful interactions. Several patients highlight extended hold times on telephone calls and challenges securing timely consultations, suggesting systemic capacity constraints.

Administrative delays appear particularly problematic, affecting registration processing, appointment scheduling, and prescription management. Patients express frustration with unresolved follow-ups and lack of accountability when complaints are raised. Whilst some acknowledge the practice operates under resource limitations, the frequency of complaints regarding responsiveness and organisation suggests these issues significantly impact patient confidence in the service.

Appointment

35.80 %
Poor

Reception

38.50 %
Poor

Cleanliness

65.00 %
Great

Care

45.25 %
Poor

Respect

40.15 %
Poor

Seen on time

42.30 %
Poor

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A

Anonymouse 3 months ago

Rating

Bad!

  • Appointment

    Poor
  • Reception

    Bad
  • Cleanliness

    Bad
  • Care

    Bad
  • Respect

    Bad
  • Seen On Time

    Bad

I most certainly would not recommend

I rarely leave reviews, but the experience I’ve had with this surgery has been beyond disappointing. The reception staff are consistently rude and dismissive, behaving as though patients are an inconvenience rather than the reason the practice exists. Simple queries are met with attitude, condescension, and an astonishing lack of basic courtesy. It feels less like seeking healthcare and more like interrupting a private club. What is even more concerning is the complete disregard for formal complaints procedures. After submitting a written complaint and being assured of a response within a specified timeframe, I was simply ignored. No update, no explanation, no accountability. Chasing for a reply only reinforces the impression that patient concerns are neither valued nor taken seriously. When a medical practice cannot manage communication or professionalism at the most basic level, it understandably erodes trust. Patients deserve respect, transparency, and timely responses — not indifference. Sadly, this surgery fails on all three.

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SH

Stacey H. Google 11 months ago

Rating

Bad!

Terrible healthcare experience with uncaring medical staff

This is absolutely the most horrendous medical experience imaginable. As a cancer survivor in remission, I've been struggling with abdominal discomfort. After a CT scan, I received a text from my physician claiming they found nothing. When I challenged this, he abruptly mentioned a blocked bile duct and promised a referral. Two months have passed with countless phone calls assuring me the referral was processed. However, upon contacting the hospital, I discovered no record of the referral. I'm extremely anxious, feeling this could be a life-threatening situation. When I called the reception, seeking information, the staff member couldn't locate any documentation and promised someone would contact me - but nothing happened. The doctors are clearly dishonest, and the entire healthcare system is completely unacceptable. No one takes responsibility, and I'm left feeling abandoned and terrified. I urgently need to report these negligent medical professionals.

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DP

Daniel P. Google one year ago

Rating

Bad!

Worst medical practice ever avoid at all costs

Impossible to book an appointment, phone lines are constantly blocked, and their only advice is to use emergency services or call 111. Absolutely dreadful healthcare support.

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GW

Geoff W. Google one year ago

Rating

Excellent!

Friendly staff and skilled doctor saved my day

Grateful appreciation goes out to the welcoming receptionist and Dr. Scot for his professional care during my recent visit. Geoff Woodcock.

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AW

Andrew W. Google one year ago

Rating

Bad!

Worst medical experience ever terrible communication

What terrible service. I'm now convinced I'll seek out a different doctor because this one is completely unacceptable. The doctor is dishonest and fails to follow up with communication, which is absolutely unacceptable.

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SS

Sco S. Google one year ago

Rating

Excellent!

Dedicated staff shine despite challenging booking system

The situation has markedly enhanced compared to my previous assessment. I commend the beleaguered reception and administrative personnel who are genuinely exerting themselves under challenging conditions! I typically consider this an excellent establishment. The treatment I've previously received here has been outstanding. However, as a person with disabilities, I'm unable to make phone calls at 8:30am. I simply am not awake at that hour. They instructed me to call at 9am tomorrow. I'm skeptical that any appointments will remain available by then. How is a disabled individual supposed to secure a consultation? Where are the promised 'reasonable accommodations'?

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CR

Chloe R. Google one year ago

Rating

Bad!

Terrible healthcare service with zero communication

absolutely terrible. back in september 2022, the surgery informed me i required an MSK referral that i needed to request myself, which i did immediately the next day. they claimed it was completed. subsequently, i periodically called to follow up since i'd received no communication, and each time was assured i'd hear from MSK soon. twelve months passed with zero progress, so i scheduled another telephone consultation with the doctor. upon asking him to verify the referral, i discovered it had never actually been processed. at this point, i contacted the surgery again to request the referral, and they insisted i attend an in-person appointment. during that meeting, the physician (i believe doctor bulmer) was incredibly dismissive and hostile, suggesting i should simply go to a&e when experiencing severe pain, which i did, and they were equally unhelpful. when i described this experience, he essentially told me to either seek alternative medical advice or leave. consequently, i transferred to quayside and submitted a complaint with chapel street, which was supposedly going to be addressed within two weeks - yet i never received any response. STEER CLEAR.

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JW

Jack W. Google one year ago

Rating

Bad!

Dangerous pharmacy fails patients repeatedly

Absolutely terrible! Disrespectful and unreliable, they consistently fail to follow through on their commitments. My girlfriend experienced an epileptic episode due to the delay in her medication delivery, which they once more neglected to process. Despite the critical nature of her medical needs, they remain unresponsive and have still not sent her prescription.

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DM

David M. Google one year ago

Rating

Bad!

Worst medical clinic ever terrible experience

Impossible to schedule a visit. Absolutely terrible service with zero assistance or empathy for medical concerns or health emergencies.

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DN

Desislava N. Google one year ago

Rating

Bad!

Terrible service and lack of medical support

I'm thoroughly disappointed with their service! Despite being a patient here for a decade, I was forced to leave on 25/10/2024 without my essential asthma inhaler! I pleaded with a nameless receptionist for assistance, but received no help. I spent the entire afternoon making 3-4 calls waiting for a prescription, and their only solutions seem to be telling patients to go to A&E, call 111, or essentially wait until you're critically ill. Their medical competence is so poor that they've even misdiagnosed me in the past. ABSOLUTELY AVOID REGISTERING WITH THIS SURGERY!

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KP

Kamila P. Google one year ago

Rating

Bad!

Terrible healthcare service that fails patients completely

Completely ineffective medical practice. Impossible to secure consultations for seriously ill children or patients dealing with cancer concerns. The staff appear disgruntled and unwelcoming. I genuinely sympathize with the employees. It's evident there are significant organizational problems within this healthcare facility.

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HH

Hannah H. Google one year ago

Rating

Excellent!

Exceptional care from a wonderful medical practice

Throughout recent months, I've had multiple occasions to seek assistance from this medical practice, and each encounter has been truly outstanding. The entire team demonstrates exceptional qualities - the support staff are incredibly welcoming and kind, the front desk personnel are delightful, and the medical professionals maintain the highest standards of expertise and care. I am genuinely grateful for their remarkable service.

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PP

Paintingkey P. Google one year ago

Rating

Bad!

Pharmacy negligence puts epileptic patient at risk

My partner, who suffers from epilepsy, found herself without her crucial medication as of yesterday. She reached out to her pharmacy, and they assured her they would forward her prescription. However, upon visiting today, we discovered no prescription had been transmitted. As a result, she's become extremely distressed and is experiencing significant discomfort, with the potential of having to endure another full day without her necessary medication. This situation is completely ridiculous!

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I(

Izabela (. Google 2 years ago

Rating

Bad!

Terrible service and zero customer support

Lengthy hold times, both in-person and via telephone. The company urgently requires additional personnel. Updating my critique after seven years to emphasize that no progress has been made.

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JG

Jean G. Google 2 years ago

Rating

Bad!

Frustrating healthcare experience with zero availability

Scheduling a consultation seems impossible here!

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SC

Sue C. Google 2 years ago

Rating

Great!

Decent surgery with limited doctor availability

The medical practice offers quality care, but scheduling with a healthcare provider can be challenging due to the limited number of general practitioners available.

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SF

Stuart F. Google 2 years ago

Rating

Excellent!

Exceptional healthcare through decades of dedicated service

Exceptional Surgical Care, Physicians and Personnel. I've been a patient here for half a century, and I've consistently found their appointment availability and nursing support to be reliable. Despite the challenges facing healthcare services, this medical practice consistently meets and exceeds expectations in my assessment.

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SH

Steven H. Google 3 years ago

Rating

Average!

Frustrating experience with scheduling and service

Scheduling can be challenging with this practice, making it difficult to secure a timely consultation.

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JS

Jess S. Google 3 years ago

Rating

Bad!

Terrible healthcare experience with unprofessional medical staff

I encountered a medication crisis when the pharmacy stocked an incorrect brand, only to discover my GP had cancelled my repeat prescription, leaving me without medication for almost seven days. Their advertised phone hours at 8 am are misleading, as the lines are not actually open. The Mirena insertion was an incredibly traumatic experience, marked by extreme physical pain and emotional distress. To make matters worse, the healthcare provider made an inappropriate comment to my partner about the procedure being "for him," while I was in tears and unable to defend myself, especially after he had previously discouraged me from getting the procedure.

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RJ

Rob J. Google 3 years ago

Rating

Bad!

Terrible healthcare experience with unprofessional medical staff

Subpar healthcare assistance with significant communication failures. The medical team exhibits an unacceptable level of sluggishness when evaluating patient needs, consistently failing to follow through on promised callbacks. Patients are forced to repeatedly pursue follow-ups due to the staff's dismissive, discourteous, and apathetic attitude. The personnel appear completely disengaged and indifferent to patient care, demonstrating a profound lack of professional commitment.

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About the GP

  • Verified GP
  • Accepts all feedback, both positive and negative.

Contact Information

  • 01273 517000
  • Chapel Street Surgery Chapel Street Newhaven East Sussex BN9 9PW

Patient Experience Summary

Patient feedback reveals a mixed experience with significant variation in service quality across different areas of the practice. On the positive side, several patients report satisfaction with clinical care, noting compassionate physicians, welcoming reception staff, and reliable nursing support. Some patients specifically commend the practice for proactive health screening and minimal waiting times. However, these positive experiences are substantially offset by widespread concerns about appointment access, with multiple patients describing booking as difficult or impossible, and phone lines frequently blocked or unresponsive.

Communication and follow-up emerge as persistent problem areas. Patients report unresponsive administrative processes, delayed prescription handling, and failures to process referrals or provide promised callbacks. Reception experience is inconsistent, with some praising courtesy and professionalism whilst others describe dismissive or disrespectful interactions. Several patients highlight extended hold times on telephone calls and challenges securing timely consultations, suggesting systemic capacity constraints.

Administrative delays appear particularly problematic, affecting registration processing, appointment scheduling, and prescription management. Patients express frustration with unresolved follow-ups and lack of accountability when complaints are raised. Whilst some acknowledge the practice operates under resource limitations, the frequency of complaints regarding responsiveness and organisation suggests these issues significantly impact patient confidence in the service.

Appointment

35.80 %
Poor

Reception

38.50 %
Poor

Cleanliness

65.00 %
Great

Care

45.25 %
Poor

Respect

40.15 %
Poor

Seen on time

42.30 %
Poor
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