Five Valleys Medical Practice

Frustrating booking experience with terrible customer service

I'm constantly hitting roadblocks trying to schedule an appointment. Days of attempting to call have resulted in disconnected calls, and when I finally got through, the receptionist directed me to book via the anima app. I've been attempting to book through the app, waiting from 8 AM for three consecutive days. Despite all these efforts, I'm still nowhere closer to securing an appointment, and it's been over a week of frustration.

Unacceptable healthcare service at medical practice

Called yesterday seeking a medical consultation or doctor discussion, but reception informed me they were fully booked and advised contacting 111. I attempted to explain my critical situation with rheumatoid arthritis and ongoing auto immune treatment, highlighting an escalating hand infection spreading towards my wrist that urgently required medical attention. Despite my explanation, they repeatedly directed me to dial 111, which clearly demonstrates why emergency services are overwhelmingly burdened. The merger of Stroud Valleys has been catastrophic, resulting in a complete breakdown of patient care. The absolute lack of empathy and professional concern is shocking. I am profoundly disappointed, deeply frustrated, and utterly disgusted by this experience.

Terrible booking system ruins potential good healthcare

I'm confident the doctors are competent, but scheduling an appointment is incredibly challenging, rendering me unable to provide a comprehensive assessment. The front desk staff insist on using the Anima app for bookings, yet the app is consistently unavailable. A receptionist informed me it only operates between 8-9am and quickly becomes overloaded. This approach is fundamentally broken. Ultimately, I was forced to switch medical practices due to my mounting frustration after weeks of unsuccessful appointment attempts, and I've since encountered a significantly improved service.

Terrible healthcare with no compassion for patients

Absolutely abysmal service - despite their stated hours until 6:30 PM. The staff openly admit they cannot accommodate urgent consultations because the physicians have already departed - as confirmed directly by the receptionist! This applies even for critical situations like examining a fevered child during standard business hours! Their recommended solution? Call the NHS 111 helpline! It's no mystery why hospital emergency departments are overwhelmed when primary care providers consistently shirk their fundamental responsibilities!

Punitive, infantilising, care-kess, ignorant. Discriminator

The misogynistic normalising of severe pain by a female partner doctor. Couldn't be more hateful if she tried, the smiling assassin.

Frustrating phone that disconnects during every call

Phone keeps dropping calls mid-conversation, cuts out immediately after hearing the message, then disconnects completely.

Helpful service despite minor prescription hiccup

I encountered a slight issue with my repeat prescription, and they informed me via email that it would be ready for collection in 2 to 3 working days. It wasn't showing up on my NHS app, but overall, if you require an urgent appointment, visit the Anima website and describe your situation. A doctor will call you back when they have availability and then determine if you need an in-person consultation. I believe they are fantastic, and people don't give the NHS enough recognition.

Terrible service and impossible to book appointments

Getting a consultation here is incredibly challenging. They're unwilling to schedule appointments via telephone and insist on using their Anima online platform, which appears to be perpetually unavailable. The inconvenience was so significant that I ultimately decided to change my primary care provider due to the extreme difficulty in accessing medical care.

Worst medical practice ever frustrating experience

Scheduling an appointment is impossible through their online system, and their phone support is nonexistent - I get disconnected every time. Absolutely terrible service, and I'm definitely switching medical practices.

Frustrating service with empty promises and poor communication

Every interaction seems focused on pushing me to create an online profile. I'm simply attempting to schedule an appointment, and their digital insistence is frustrating. I've spent countless hours calling repeatedly, waiting for the promised doctor's callback that never materialized. When I followed up about the missed communication, their staff appeared completely indifferent to the fact that no one contacted me as they had committed. It's absolutely unacceptable. If they're overwhelmed or understaffed, they should be transparent about their limitations instead of making hollow assurances they have no intention of fulfilling.

Frustrated parents seeking compassionate medical support

We're deeply worried about our child's health, and this experience has only heightened our anxiety. After enduring a frustrating 20-minute phone wait, we were essentially dismissed, with the surgery suggesting we contact 111 and offering no immediate assistance. We simply wanted some professional advice and comfort during this stressful time. It feels like compassionate patient support has completely disappeared.

Terrible customer service that goes nowhere fast

Multiple attempts via email and two in-person visits over the course of a year, yet all I've received are empty promises and dismissive assurances of "we take this seriously, it's been escalated, and we'll contact you shortly" - with absolutely no follow-through.

Heartless medical staff fail vulnerable mother and child

The customer service at this medical practice is absolutely unacceptable! I arrived with my three-year-old suffering from a high fever and infection, only to be informed that they've reached their daily patient limit and I must contact 111. As a single parent at home with a 6-month-old and my sick toddler, I'm incredibly frustrated. The surgery operates until late hours and supposedly merged with another practice to prevent exactly this type of situation. I'm determined to identify the staff member who was so unhelpful. They even had the audacity to suggest I should have called earlier, which was not clear to me beforehand. I am completely outraged by this treatment.

Exceptional care at Five Valleys Medical Practice

I'd like to express my sincere gratitude for the exceptional care provided by Five Valleys Medical Practice. Our family has consistently received top-notch attention from the entire team - doctors, nurses, and front desk staff alike. Their dedication is particularly commendable given the current healthcare challenges. During my recent visit with Dr. Brown, I was impressed by her empathy and attentiveness. She patiently listened to my concerns and crafted a thorough treatment plan tailored to my needs. The practice's commitment to patient well-being is evident, and I wholeheartedly endorse their services to anyone seeking quality healthcare.

Appointment woes overshadow quality care

The medical attention received at this facility is commendable, but the process of securing an appointment is an exasperating ordeal. One endures an interminable wait on the telephone, only to be directed to an online platform called 'Anima' for scheduling. Upon accessing Anima, frustration mounts as the system declares its inability to process further requests until the following day. Consequently, my child, plagued by persistent wheezing, is forced to miss yet another day of school. While the quality of care is undoubtedly praiseworthy, the convoluted booking system severely undermines the overall patient experience, leaving one questioning the efficacy of such a disjointed approach to healthcare provision.

Friendly staff provides excellent dental care

I have consistently had positive experiences at this establishment. My spouse and I have been treated with exceptional care by every member of the staff during our visits. The level of service provided is truly commendable, making it a standout practice in our opinion.

Superb customer support beyond my expectations

Exceptional service across the board.

Positive experiences with expanded care services

I've had nothing but positive experiences with this practice. It's particularly impressive how they've grown and now offer certain referral appointments in-house, eliminating the need for hospital visits. The quality of care is consistently high, and they're often able to arrange referrals promptly. I'm thoroughly satisfied with the level of attention and service I've received.

Frustrating appointment system at medical practice

The medical staff's pleasant demeanor is overshadowed by the clinic's inaccessibility. Securing an appointment is a Herculean task, with their online portal, Anima, serving as a frustrating gatekeeper. Previous attempts often resulted in impersonal text responses from doctors, eliminating any chance for meaningful dialogue. Today's experience was particularly exasperating. Anima erroneously claimed the practice was closed or at capacity, then promptly crashed. Contrary to the portal's assertion, the clinic was very much open. Seeking an alternative, I turned to phone communication, only to be met with a two-minute recorded message essentially discouraging calls. When I finally reached a human, the self-proclaimed "trained medical care practitioner" confessed their inability to schedule appointments, leaving me questioning their purpose. This system seems designed to deter patients, particularly disadvantaging older individuals who may lack technological proficiency. It appears the practice has found an effective, albeit concerning, method of managing demand - by making it nearly impossible to engage their services at all.

Terrible service and impossible to book appointment

Scheduling an appointment is impossible, I've called repeatedly and been brushed aside. The service at Locking Hill was far superior - at least there you could communicate with a physician, even if only via telephone.