Clarkson Surgery

Long wait for urgent medication refill

Urgent!! Prescription medication tablet Could I please receive my prescribed medication at midday 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏 Three days without my regular medication has caused me headaches and I feel unwell 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭

Couldn't get medication during surgery hours

I have not been feeling well because of the timing of my medication between morning and afternoon hours. My condition has deteriorated since the medication schedule was adjusted. Around midday I experience discomfort, including breathing difficulties and fatigue, which affects my sleep quality. This has been very distressing for me and has impacted my overall wellbeing.

Staff went above and beyond with thorough investigations

On behalf of my husband. For some time I have not been feeling well. I am not the easiest patient and have always been hesitant about medical settings and healthcare professionals. Eventually I decided to visit my GP because I sensed something needed attention. I am incredibly grateful to the team at the practice for their assistance in identifying what was causing my concerns. One staff member recognised immediately that there was an issue and took action to begin the investigation process. The entire team has been exceptionally helpful throughout, from arranging various diagnostic tests, specialist imaging, medication management and scheduling follow-up care. The consultant I saw at the hospital was equally supportive and provided reassurance about my condition. From early December onwards, the practice maintained regular contact with me, offering guidance and support. I cannot express enough appreciation for everything they have done. My wife also consults with them occasionally regarding her elderly mother, and she consistently has positive things to say about the team at the practice. I simply want to express my sincere thanks to everyone for their care and dedication.

Appointment booking could've been smoother

It wasn't the poorest experience I've had in the past.

Dismissed hip pain without basic blood tests

Generally the service provided is of a good standard, however I had a concerning experience in June when I attended an appointment regarding significant pain in my hip and groin area. During the consultation, I was asked about pain and stiffness, which I confirmed I was experiencing. Based on this, I was told I had a particular joint condition. I expressed that I was feeling quite unwell as a result of the symptoms. Two days later, I presented to accident and emergency and was subsequently admitted to hospital with a serious infection affecting my spine, requiring a three-week inpatient stay followed by two months of daily outpatient treatment. I feel that a simple blood test at the initial appointment could have identified what was actually occurring. I am concerned about how a diagnosis was provided without appropriate diagnostic testing, and I was not given adequate pain relief for my severe symptoms. In my view, this represented a significant shortfall in the standard of care I received.

Difficult to book appointments without speaking English

I have not had an in-person appointment with my GP over the past year. I felt I required medication for my condition, but did not receive it. I attend the practice occasionally for blood tests to avoid having to travel abroad for them. The main positive aspect is that there are no charges for services. I would appreciate the ability to book appointments via text message rather than only through phone calls, as this would be more accessible for those who are not confident with spoken English, since written communication allows for the use of translation tools.

Quick appointments and helpful prescription support

I had an excellent experience at the surgery this week. The team assisted me with managing my medication needs and demonstrated genuine friendliness and helpfulness throughout. My recent appointments were handled promptly, and I received the support I required without delay. I'm very satisfied with the care provided. Thank you.

Staff showed genuine patience during difficult blood test

There's a lot of discussion about the quality of healthcare experiences, and I felt compelled to share what happened to me recently. I hadn't visited my GP for a decade due to a previous surgical experience that left me with significant needle anxiety. Over the past six months, I've experienced considerable weight loss and haven't been feeling well, which prompted me to seek help. The clinician I saw showed remarkable understanding of my anxiety when blood tests were recommended as necessary. Despite my distress during the consultation, they remained patient and prescribed a numbing cream to help manage my concerns, and I agreed to attempt the blood draw. On the morning of the appointment, I was extremely anxious and almost left before being called in. The phlebotomist who greeted me was incredibly compassionate and took time to calm me down before attempting the procedure. She worked patiently with me, and when initial attempts were unsuccessful, she called for additional support. The second healthcare professional who assisted was equally dedicated and determined. Between them, they made multiple attempts over an extended period, finally succeeding on one of the final tries. I was overwhelmed with relief, as my phobia had made this feel impossible. Both staff members spent nearly an hour with me, showing genuine care and compassion throughout what was an emotionally challenging experience. Their dedication achieved what I thought was unattainable without sedation. I was so grateful that I returned with chocolates and cards to thank them. While I didn't catch their names, their kindness left a lasting impression. The clinician and both healthcare professionals demonstrated such genuine care that I felt compelled to acknowledge their professionalism and compassion. I'm grateful to have access to such dedicated staff in my area.

Refused to listen or provide translation support

Poor experience at this practice. A translator was not made available during my visit. I felt unable to fully describe my concerns about my child's symptoms. The clinical assessment suggested a viral illness requiring treatment, yet no prescription was issued. Despite this, I was advised that attendance at school could continue. I found this approach frustrating and inconsistent with my expectations of care. The overall experience prompted me to seek care elsewhere.

Face to face appointments easier to book now

I must say that obtaining in-person appointments has become considerably more straightforward of late. I have consistently found the entire team to be very pleasant and welcoming. I appreciate the dedication and effort you put in.

Professional staff made us feel valued

My family has been registered with this practice throughout our lives and we have found no reason to change. The staff have consistently demonstrated professionalism and we have received excellent care from the medical team. We are grateful to all members of staff, both current and former.

Refused HGV medical without being registered

I was referred to this practice for a commercial driving medical examination, but was unable to proceed as I was not registered as a patient at the surgery.

Reception staff dismissive when checking prescription status

I found the practice's expansion concerning given existing capacity challenges. When I inquired about my child's prescription status, I felt the interaction was frustrating. A staff member indicated they couldn't hear me, and when I spoke more loudly to be understood, this seemed to be perceived negatively. My child is unable to communicate verbally, so I rely on my mother to relay information. I noticed the clinical team communicated directly with me about my child's care without confirming consent arrangements, which raised questions about how information sharing protocols were being followed. I would appreciate clarification on these procedures.

Efficient appointment with clear explanations given

The healthcare professional was organised, courteous and provided clear explanations throughout the appointment.

Quick access to same-day appointments when needed

I have required medical attention for a persistent concern, and on each occasion I have contacted the practice, I have been able to access either an in-person appointment on the same day or a telephone consultation the same day followed by a face-to-face visit the following day. The clinician was extremely supportive and conducted a comprehensive assessment.

Practice missed serious breathing problems twice

My mother, who has a serious ongoing health condition, has been unable to access GP appointments for a considerable period. On two separate occasions, she attended appointments with a healthcare practitioner regarding respiratory concerns and was advised that nothing was amiss, only to require hospital admission the very next day, with stays lasting at least a week on each instance.

Parking chaos but helpful quick check-in process

Called ahead and was quite taken aback to receive an appointment, and even more so when I attended the surgery. Upon arrival, I found the car park to be full with limited availability, and noticed a vehicle that appeared to be parked inappropriately without a designated space, with a note left on the windscreen. I proceeded inside and used the quick check-in system, with only a brief wait of around 10 minutes before being called through. The clinician I saw was considerate and conducted themselves in a professional manner, which was my first experience with them. Based on the number of vehicles present in the car park both when I arrived and when I departed, it seemed that the vast majority must have belonged to staff members, as the number of patients I observed inside appeared considerably lower than the volume of cars outside.

Prompt appointments and genuinely helpful staff

I've been living in the local area for approximately four years and wanted to provide an updated perspective. I continue to rate this surgery very highly. Throughout my time as a patient, I've consistently found the service to be prompt and supportive across all the care and assistance I've needed. When I first registered here, I noticed there were quite a few critical comments circulating on social media and negative ratings online. However, this hasn't aligned with what I've personally experienced. I've contacted the practice several times for various health concerns, including infections, inflammatory issues, and mental wellbeing support. On each occasion, I was able to secure an appointment, and when face-to-face visits weren't possible, I could speak with someone over the phone or submit images for diagnostic purposes. The team demonstrated genuine care, paid close attention to detail, and went out of their way to help. Like many healthcare facilities, this practice operates with resource constraints and continues to implement certain service adjustments. This sometimes means you may be seen by nursing or other clinical support staff rather than a doctor. The practice also uses a triage system and manages appointment availability carefully rather than offering unlimited slots. This isn't problematic—calling early in the day improves your chances of being seen, and having a clear explanation of your needs ready helps the process. The location is convenient, with a pharmacy situated nearby where prescriptions can be collected. There's also adequate parking available at the side of the building and several spaces for dropping off patients at the front entrance. My experience has been consistently positive so far, though I remain open to how things may develop over time.

Quick callback system got me seen fast

Called at 8.30 to arrange an appointment and found the new call back system to be very efficient. The receptionist was extremely pleasant and handled my request quickly, resulting in me being offered an appointment within just over an hour.

Quick appointment and efficient prescription collection

When my symptoms deteriorated, I contacted the practice and was able to see someone very quickly. Following some investigations, I received a prescription that was prepared for collection without delay. The reception staff, triage process, and the appointment itself were all excellent. I was very satisfied with the experience.