Cowes Medical Centre

Quick appointment with helpful health machines available

The appointment was prompt with minimal waiting time, and the practice provides complimentary access to weighing scales and blood pressure monitoring equipment.

Helpful staff sorted paperwork quickly

I've had a positive experience and am very satisfied with the service provided. I would like to express my appreciation to the staff member who assisted me, and particularly for expediting my paperwork and ensuring it was processed and dispatched ahead of schedule. Thank you 😊

Staff respected my needs without questioning them

I'm incredibly grateful to the entire team for their outstanding care. As someone who experiences significant anxiety, I felt respected throughout my visit and my particular requirements were accommodated without hesitation or judgment. The NHS has faced considerable criticism during recent times. Should you wish to voice concerns or feedback about their service, I would encourage you to reach out to your local representative and inquire about their plans to support the organisation in managing their demanding workload. The NHS operates under substantial strain through circumstances beyond their control. The clinical environment was well-maintained, though I did find the background music volume somewhat distracting.

Pleasant staff made a real difference

Having resided in the local area for just over a year, I attend regular appointments twice weekly with clinical staff members and healthcare professionals who consistently demonstrate a pleasant and professional manner. This represents a notable improvement compared to my previous healthcare provider in another region.

Long phone wait and unhelpful reception staff

Disappointing experience with the service provided. Had to wait a considerable time for someone to answer the phone. Found one member of the reception team to be unhelpful and unwelcoming. There has been a significant delay in processing a straightforward administrative request, with no resolution yet.

Phone banner promised e-consult but service wasn't available

Unfortunately since the pandemic, it has been cited as a reason for many service limitations. For example, there appears to be inconsistency in whether clinical staff provide in-person appointments compared to remote consultations. I recently visited the practice website which displayed a notice about high call volumes, recommending the online consultation service or afternoon calls. I was pleased to see this option available, but when I attempted to access it, I received a message indicating it was not currently offered at my practice. This was confusing. When I previously contacted the practice following a remote consultation where my initial treatment had not resolved my concern, I requested an in-person appointment and was declined. Only after I mentioned an upcoming procedure the following week and expressed concern about potential complications was I then advised to attend in person. The sudden change in availability was unclear to me. Regarding my flu vaccination, I was simply told I would be placed on a waiting list with no indication of the timeframe involved. Last year, I noticed that a friend who is younger and without my health considerations was invited for their flu jab, whilst I received no contact and had to arrange it elsewhere. Similarly, younger acquaintances at different practices have been contacted for their Covid booster, whereas I was not contacted and had to book independently, though there is a considerable wait. It is disappointing that patients, who are ultimately funding this service through taxation, appear to be experiencing genuine difficulties at present without clear communication regarding the reasons for these challenges.

Rude receptionists and endless phone queues

I would give this practice a lower rating if possible. This has been my least satisfactory experience with a medical practice. The reception staff have been unhelpful and discourteous. Phone wait times are excessive, promised callbacks do not materialise, and appointments run behind schedule. The overall approach to patient care falls short of expectations. However, I have had positive experiences with one particular clinician who has consistently demonstrated warmth and genuine support during my visits. This individual represents the only positive aspect of my time at this practice.

Reception staff dismissed NHS 111 medical advice

Would rate lower if possible! How can administrative staff make decisions that override clinical guidance from NHS 111 services? The practice has consistently fallen short since relocating. I have serious concerns about the clinical care provided to my children on one occasion. Additionally, there was a significant administrative error where my medical records were mixed up with another patient's file, which caused considerable distress when I reviewed my records. The management and reception team came across as unhelpful and dismissive. The practice would benefit from stronger, more experienced leadership.

Long wait times and poor communication

Regrettably, the service provided fell significantly short of expectations. A single star rating feels generous given the experience encountered.

Receptionists wouldn't listen to urgent referral

Poor service experience, with reception staff appearing inattentive and adopting an unnecessarily defensive approach. After being advised by an out-of-hours service that a medical consultation was necessary, the receptionist suggested a telephone conversation would suffice instead. Unfortunately, the situation feels limiting as there appear to be few alternative healthcare options locally, making it difficult to seek care elsewhere.

Phone wait times inconsistent but staff helpful

It takes a considerable amount of time to get through on the phone, and on a previous occasion a few weeks ago, I found the staff member I spoke with to be quite unhelpful. That said, when I called more recently, I had a much more positive experience with a different staff member who was exceptionally helpful and went the extra mile to assist me.

Didn't feel heard about my concerns

I felt that my serious health condition was not adequately addressed during my care.

Impossible to reach by phone for prescriptions

I have made multiple attempts to contact the practice by phone without success. I feel significantly disappointed by the lack of accessibility and have experienced considerable difficulty obtaining repeat medications over an extended period. This level of service falls short of what I would expect.

Phone lines difficult to reach and unhelpful

It is difficult to reach this practice by telephone. When contact is established, the staff can be dismissive and insist on knowing the nature of your health concern before scheduling an appointment.

Warm welcome during urgent mainland visit

We were visiting from out of town and received a warm and professional welcome when we needed prompt medical attention at the practice.

Impossible to get through on the phone

Extremely difficult to get through. The telephone line appears to be either unavailable or constantly busy. There are clearly some issues with accessibility here.

E-Consult service delivered quick response time

I recently used the online consultation service for the first time. The response was prompt and efficient, arriving within a short timeframe. I feel fortunate to have access to such an excellent digital healthcare offering. My appreciation goes to the entire team for providing this service.

Booking system doesn't work for school schedules

As a student, I find the appointment booking process quite challenging since I'm typically at school during morning hours. By the time I'm able to get home and make a call, I'm usually informed that there are no available slots to book in advance. This leaves me being directed to the online consultation system, which I've found to be quite time-consuming and sometimes difficult to navigate, as it can take considerable time to complete and locating the appropriate category for my concern isn't always straightforward.

Reception staff made getting appointments easy

This is the finest medical practice I have attended. While it can be annoying to reach them by telephone, that is the only drawback. The front desk team are excellent, and I am consistently able to secure an appointment or receive a callback when needed.

Couldn't access appointments at this practice

I would rate this practice far below average if possible. This has been my most unsatisfactory experience with a general practice. The facility consistently lacks accessibility and the associated hospital services are equally problematic. Both organisations appear outdated in their approach.