Fern House Surgery

Frustrating phone system wastes my precious time

Called customer service, spent 20 excruciating minutes on hold due to a constantly engaged line. Finally got through the menu options, selected my desired number, only to be greeted by another round of ringing followed by the same frustrating busy signal. Seriously? Unbelievable.

Friendly and efficient vaccine location

Super convenient spot to get my COVID shot! Absolutely no complaints here.

Quick and painless covid vaccine experience

What an impressive experience getting my Covid-19 vaccine! The process was incredibly smooth, quick, and expertly handled. I felt completely safe and well-cared for throughout. Kudos to the staff and organizers for their outstanding work.

Fantastic local surgery with caring and helpful staff

I recently relocated and am genuinely thrilled about signing up with this medical practice after enduring years of mediocre to terrible healthcare encounters at my previous GP. I needed to schedule an appointment to ensure my prescription continuity from my former doctor. The reception staff member was incredibly professional, supportive, and compassionate. The doctor returned my call promptly, offered reassuring guidance, and carefully walked me through the necessary steps. I truly appreciate how smoothly and effortlessly you've made this transfer between healthcare providers!

Worst medical experience of my entire life

If possible, I'd rate this medical practice at zero - that's how terrible they are. I've been dealing with this clinic for years, and it's been a constant stream of issues. They show zero concern for patient care, and every single staff member, from doctors to reception, is completely incompetent! Prescription errors are routine, and the problems never seem to end. Each physician here just wants to dismiss you without making any genuine effort to provide meaningful medical assistance.

Compassionate care and quick medical support

My physician was exceptionally compassionate during my previous consultation. When I reached out today, I secured a telephone appointment for later in the day and received a prescription within the same timeframe. Exceptional care, much appreciated.

Trusted healthcare for half a century

Throughout my five-decade association with this medical practice, I've consistently experienced top-tier professional care. Recently, when confronting a health concern, I consulted nurse Jacqueline. Her expertise was remarkable - she demonstrated comprehensive understanding of my condition and successfully resolved my medical problem with utmost professionalism.

Terrible service and impossible to reach anyone

wish i could give zero stars if possible. i've been attempting to reach them by phone all day long, and the calls either endlessly ring without anyone picking up or abruptly disconnect with a quick beep, suggesting they lack basic phone infrastructure. they constantly boast about being overwhelmingly busy, yet every time i've visited their facility, there are always more employees than patients, and their waiting areas are consistently nearly empty with just a couple of people present.

Worst medical practice ever avoid at all costs

I've had the most terrible experience with this medical practice. Getting an appointment is practically impossible - I've wasted three lunch breaks trying to reach someone on the phone, always ending in failure. After numerous attempts, the only available slots are weeks in the future. Today, my wife's automated check-in malfunctioned, and the reception queue was so long that despite arriving early, she was told she missed her appointment, even though she was there 10 minutes beforehand. Their bedside manner is non-existent, which is particularly harmful for patients with anxiety and could potentially create serious health risks for someone struggling to face their rude and unhelpful staff. Their appointment system is equally frustrating - if you have multiple health concerns, they force you to choose only one issue per appointment and won't let you book multiple slots. So if you're experiencing potentially life-threatening symptoms, need a prescription, and have mental health worries, you're forced to prioritize and hope the other problems somehow resolve themselves. The service level is absolutely appalling, and it's clear they have zero concern for patient welfare.

Caring staff make up for long wait times

Getting through on the phone can be challenging, as seems to be the case everywhere these days, but the medical staff here are truly exceptional. If you call early, you can secure appointments within the next couple of days, though you need to act quickly. While most physicians are currently overworked and not flawless, this practice stands out significantly for its attentive approach and compassionate care compared to other medical facilities.

Excellent customer service with a smile

The employees were welcoming and provided excellent assistance during my visit.

Outstanding care at my new local surgery

During my last two consultations, I truly felt heard and thoroughly examined. Although I'm a relatively new patient at this practice, I can confidently say it's the most exceptional medical facility I've ever been associated with. The level of care and quality of information I've received has been absolutely outstanding - there's absolutely nothing I can criticize.

Reliable surgery with caring staff for decades

I've been a patient at this medical facility for four decades and have consistently found it to be excellent. In my opinion, any challenges encountered are attributable to bureaucratic complications rather than the practice itself. The front desk staff demonstrate genuine care and warmth, and the nursing team is equally compassionate. Kudos to Fern House

Disappointing surgery with mixed medical professional experiences

I find there are mostly cons with this surgery... Nearly a year after joining and having relocated to the area, I was struggling with anxiety and depression. Dr Navin Skaria seemed eager to rush me out, bluntly stating, "here is a prescription for 20mg of Citalopram, which I've put on repeat for a year". His words have haunted me, and I can honestly say no doctor has ever made me feel more stigmatized or profoundly alone regarding my condition. Conversation over. I have encountered a couple of other doctors who were more empathetic. Dr Parang Asfar and Dr Caroline Wright are considerate and professional, and I would gladly see them again in the future. The receptionists require patients to disclose their medical reasons in a crowded waiting room. While their intention is to determine the appropriate healthcare professional, I believe there are more discreet methods to achieve this. They could, for instance, provide a confidential list of issues and explain that less serious matters might be efficiently handled by a nurse prescriber, minimizing patient embarrassment. They offer an online service, but paradoxically, one must physically visit the surgery to register - a practice that makes absolutely no sense to me! Their operating hours are woefully inadequate, especially considering 40% of the community commutes to and from London daily. The least they could do is open Saturday mornings to accommodate those of us who leave at 7am and don't return to Witham until 7pm.

Overworked surgery struggling to meet patient needs

The medical practice has excellent physicians and supportive personnel, but they're critically undermanned considering the patient volume. This seems to stem from continuous housing development without corresponding expansion of local healthcare facilities. As a result, patients experience significant delays: extended wait times for appointments, difficulty reaching staff by phone, crowded reception areas, and packed waiting rooms. It's fundamentally a quality healthcare provider that desperately requires additional funding and personnel, though such improvements appear improbable given the current financial constraints of the National Health Service.

Unreliable clinic fails my baby's immunisation needs

The employees are friendly, but they consistently cancel my infant's vaccination appointments, repeatedly claiming a shortage of nursing staff. My child is now 5.5 months old. Their communication is extremely poor - I've personally witnessed phone calls going unanswered, with no one picking up the receiver.

Terrible service and endless waiting list frustration

Scheduling an appointment seems impossible. I attempted to book an ear syringing procedure recently, and it took a fortnight just to be added to a waiting list that stretched another month. As a result, I'm now pursuing private healthcare options.

Compassionate care makes medical experience pleasant

Welcoming, accommodating, and compassionate medical procedure.

Friendly staff but challenging to book appointment

The personnel at this facility are delightful and the medical practice operates smoothly. Nevertheless, it's advisable to visit in person to schedule an appointment, as they genuinely struggle to respond to phone calls. The staff are stretched thin and operating with limited resources due to ongoing NHS budget reductions. I recommend bearing this context in mind when attempting to contact or visit the surgery.

Frustrating pharmacy transfer nightmare with no communication

I'm struggling to switch my pharmacy, and every attempt to contact the medical office has been met with unanswered phone calls! I've been shuffled between different staff members who consistently fail to pick up, and this frustrating situation has been dragging on for weeks, leaving me completely exasperated! I'm on the verge of running out of a critical medication, and I still can't get any resolution!