Core Care Family Practice

Limited appointment availability frustrates patients

The practice only offers routine appointments on certain days of the week, which I found limiting.

Frustrating phone-only appointment system here

It is difficult to secure an in-person appointment at this practice. The consultation process relies heavily on telephone callbacks, and discussions are limited to a single issue per call. Even when multiple symptoms appear related to a straightforward condition, only one concern will be addressed. Additionally, if a matter is already being reviewed by a specialist, the practice prefers that you contact them directly rather than discussing it with your GP.

Receptionist hung up when I complained

The service I received was extremely disappointing. I contacted the practice regarding a referral for my mother in late May and early June, but no referral was ever submitted. I found this shocking and unacceptable. During my call, the receptionist ended the conversation because I was frustrated, which I felt was inappropriate. I believe it is unacceptable to leave elderly patients in this situation. I would not recommend this practice to anyone concerned about their health or their relatives' wellbeing. If it were possible to give a lower rating, I would do so.

Struggling to get basic appointments and blood tests done

This practice appears to require significant improvements in its operations. The clinical staff seem unavailable frequently, with departures occurring during standard working hours. In my view, there are concerns about staffing experience levels and whether practitioners have adequate support. During my appointments, I have experienced inconsistencies in care coordination. Administrative staff have been unclear about my reasons for attending, and equipment for routine monitoring has not functioned properly on several occasions. I have been directed to external facilities for tests that might otherwise be conducted on-site. Recent staffing changes have further impacted continuity. I have encountered difficulties with medication management through the online system. Requests to have prescriptions reviewed and restored to the platform have not been actioned as expected. Most reception staff provide limited assistance, though one team member has been notably helpful and attentive. I have observed other patients expressing frustration with service quality at reception. Based on my experiences, I would suggest exploring alternative providers, as this practice does not appear to deliver the standard of care I would expect. Following this review, I received correspondence indicating the practice no longer wishes me to attend due to relationship difficulties, despite having had no direct contact with the clinical lead. Subsequently, I attended a different practice where a clinician identified multiple outstanding referrals that had not been progressed. I was initially presenting with a respiratory concern, and the clinician made personal contact to discuss follow-up investigations spanning several years that had apparently not been initiated. These included referrals across multiple specialties. Pursuing these appointments whilst managing work commitments has proven challenging.

Consistent care without any issues

I cannot fault this practice. Never any issues. Staff are amazing. The clinician I see is the most caring GP in the area by far! To the review stating concerns about experience level, how would you know this if you've never met them? Seems to me some people just enjoy being critical online and have nothing better to do.

Couldn't get appointment despite multiple attempts

During the summer months I developed a significant skin irritation that became extremely uncomfortable, causing me to scratch the affected area on my leg until it broke. I attempted to arrange an appointment by telephone but was informed that none were available. I then visited the surgery in person to request assistance, only to be told to call back the following day. When I did so, a clinician returned my call, however no appointment was offered. I was asked to submit photographs, which I provided, and was told someone would contact me with further information, but this call never came. I phoned again later that day and was told the clinician had finished their shift and to try again the next day. After doing so, I was still not offered an appointment. I was subsequently informed that the clinician had already discussed a care plan with me and that a prescription would be waiting at my pharmacy. However, when I attended the pharmacy, there was no prescription available. I therefore had to request an appointment token to see a doctor. I made a formal complaint to the practice management team, who reviewed the situation with me in detail and assured me they would contact me the following week. That call never materialised, nor did I receive an apology. I have now waited several months without resolution. In my view, the practice requires significant improvements to ensure staff are responsive and willing to see patients face-to-face rather than relying solely on telephone consultations, as I do not believe adequate care can be delivered remotely in all circumstances. I am dissatisfied with the service I received.

Reception staff made me feel genuinely welcome

I cannot speak highly enough of this practice. After being registered elsewhere where my care fell short of expectations, it is genuinely refreshing to be greeted with friendliness and approachability by the reception team when I get in touch. I have walked away from every appointment feeling heard by the clinical staff and genuinely grateful that I made the decision to transfer here.

Felt unheard when calling with multiple concerns

I feel unheard at this practice. It's typically administrative staff who return my calls rather than clinical staff. Over the past four weeks, I've been struggling with severe pain and feel my concerns have been repeatedly dismissed. Eventually, I attended the emergency department one evening. When I contacted the practice today to request a referral to a private provider, the conversation started positively. However, when I mentioned that the hospital had advised me to discontinue my current pain medication and seek an alternative, I was told that only one issue could be addressed per call and I should ring back the following day. This is frustrating given that I've been on this medication for two years whilst awaiting a surgical procedure. Following hospital guidance, I stopped taking the medication four days ago and am now experiencing significant pain again. I'm disappointed with the level of support being offered.

Long phone waits and dismissive responses from reception

I have found my experience as a patient at this practice to be disappointing. The reception team has presented challenges, with some staff members appearing unhelpful, and I have experienced lengthy waiting times when trying to reach the practice by phone. When contact is eventually made, I feel concerns are often redirected to other services rather than being addressed directly. The recent changes to how the practice manages prescriptions and appointments have also been frustrating. I believe the practice would benefit from reviewing its current systems and processes, as I feel these issues may impact patient retention and the practice's viability. However, I do recognise that there are some reception staff members who have provided positive interactions and appear genuinely committed to supporting patients. I would hope that the practice can improve its overall approach to better serve and support those who use its services.

Reception staff cut me off during booking call

The staff members have been unwelcoming, with the exception of one team member who was pleasant. The practice now requires calls during specific hours to request repeat medications, which presents difficulties for me personally. When my essential medication runs out, I feel concerned about the consequences. The doctor has been difficult to reach and unhelpful when I have managed to make contact. I attempted to schedule an appointment but the call was disconnected as the reception team needed to attend to other calls. Unfortunately, my circumstances mean I am unable to switch to a different practice. Overall, I feel the practice falls short in multiple areas.

Receptionists rude and hard to reach appointments

This has been one of the poorest medical practices I have experienced. It is difficult to obtain an appointment with the GP, as patients are often redirected to nursing staff or advised to attend accident and emergency instead. The reception team came across as unwelcoming. The clinician did not appear to engage fully with my concerns. The overall cleanliness of the facility fell short of expectations. I feel it is necessary to seek alternative care from a practice that prioritises patient consultations.

Reception staff made me feel genuinely valued

The reception team member at this practice is such a valuable asset. They always sound cheerful, caring and genuinely helpful, going above and beyond to resolve any problems or queries. Thank you for maintaining such a positive and supportive approach.

Receptionist refused to listen to urgent health concerns

I recently experienced a throat infection and contacted the practice yesterday requesting an urgent appointment. Rather than prioritising my health concerns, the receptionist declined to schedule me in and suggested I visit a pharmacist instead. This morning I consulted an online GP service, who promptly prescribed antibiotics on an urgent basis. This intervention could have been unnecessary had my initial request for an appointment been accommodated yesterday. While I have chosen not to identify the specific staff member involved, I feel the response fell short of the standard of care I would expect. I am now seriously considering transferring to a different practice, as my experience with this one has been disappointing.

Painful blood test with poor hygiene practices

I attended an appointment recently for a blood test. The healthcare professional made multiple unsuccessful attempts to draw blood, which resulted in bruising to my arm that was visible the same day. I felt the approach lacked gentleness, and it seemed as though the procedure was being performed without properly locating the vein beforehand. I was not asked about my hydration levels prior to the appointment, nor was I given any guidance about drinking water before the test or for future appointments. I later learned from another healthcare professional that adequate hydration is important before blood tests. At the conclusion of the appointment, I was advised to have the blood test performed at the hospital instead. I experienced considerable discomfort throughout. During the appointment, I observed equipment being dropped on the floor on several occasions. The items were then picked up and used again without changing gloves, which raised concerns about hygiene standards and infection control practices. Additionally, I was asked several personal questions during the appointment that made me feel uncomfortable and uneasy. Overall, I have concerns about the professionalism demonstrated during the blood test procedure and feel that the care provided fell short of the standard I would expect.

Reception staff dismissive and unhelpful throughout

This practice has deteriorated significantly over time. It is unclear what the clinical staff are being compensated for, as they appear unavailable to see patients and instead request images remotely, which is frankly disappointing and unacceptable. The administrative team can be dismissive and brief in their interactions, and seem indifferent to patient concerns. I am very dissatisfied with the service provided. The practice should consider fundamental changes to ensure proper patient care and access to clinical appointments.

Reception staff made me feel unwelcome

I had a very negative experience during my visits. On multiple occasions, I felt uncomfortable with questions asked about my background and the manner in which they were posed. Additionally, I was concerned about the care provided during a blood collection procedure, which resulted in soreness and bruising that persisted for an extended period. The overall standard of care did not meet my expectations of professionalism.