Forest Hall Medical Group

Friendly staff made all the difference

The most welcoming GP practice I have ever been a patient at. Every member of staff I have encountered, whether at reception, nursing, or clinical roles, has been genuinely pleasant and helpful. I have had no complaints about my experience.

Well organised vaccination appointment experience

Excellent experience receiving my vaccination appointment. The whole process was superbly well organised and it was lovely to see all the staff working together so seamlessly to keep everything running smoothly. Well done to the team!

Long wait for cervical screening appointment

This practice appears to have declined significantly. I had scheduled an appointment for a routine screening test but needed to cancel due to a positive test result. The next available slot is several months away, which seems quite lengthy. I have heard rumours that the surgery may be facing closure, which could explain the apparent staffing issues.

Phone queues make appointments nearly impossible

This practice was previously excellent but has experienced a noticeable decline in recent times. Obtaining contact with reception staff requires multiple lengthy phone calls, sometimes taking up to an hour. The clinical staff appear to have reduced their in-person availability, though nursing services have maintained patient consultations throughout this period. Similar to other practices, doctor appointments are largely limited to telephone consultations and image submissions. Given that the majority of the population has progressed beyond initial vaccination phases, it seems reasonable to question why clinical practices have not returned to their previous operating models.

Appointments hard to get, staff attitude poor

This practice was once excellent, but the standard has noticeably declined since the pandemic. Obtaining appointments has become increasingly difficult, and when staff indicate they will contact you with results, the follow-up often doesn't happen. When attempting to chase up on promised communication, the reception experience was disappointing and unhelpful. It would be beneficial if staff received training on how to interact with patients more respectfully. I'm concerned about the future viability of this surgery given the changes in service quality over time, which is unfortunate considering my long history with the practice.

Couldn't get through on the phone line

This establishment does not appear to provide the level of service one would expect, and it is difficult to understand how staff are compensated for what seems like minimal effort in assisting patients.

Hard to reach and frustratingly slow appointments

The service fell short of expectations. Communication was lacking, making it challenging to reach the practice by phone, and appointment availability involved considerable waiting times. The reception team's approach to scheduling felt restrictive, as though access to care was being gatekept. There was an absence of proactive follow-up from clinical staff unless the patient took the initiative to chase matters themselves, resulting in an impersonal experience that lacked the personal touch of care. The overall experience was notably different from how the practice operated previously.

Phone queues make appointments impossible

This practice has deteriorated significantly over the years, despite my long-standing association with it. Obtaining an appointment has become increasingly difficult, and contacting the surgery by telephone presents considerable challenges. I experienced lengthy waiting times in the queue, exceeding 20 minutes, followed by prolonged ringing with no answer, forcing me to disconnect after an extended period. When I attempted to call back later, I was informed that available appointments were not until several weeks away. This situation is quite frustrating.

Reception staff got me same-day appointment

I don't visit the practice frequently as I tend to manage my health independently. However, I recently needed to attend an appointment due to an injury that required a physical examination rather than a telephone consultation. The reception team were wonderful, securing me a same-day appointment and demonstrating politeness and helpfulness throughout. The clinical staff provided excellent care and my condition is progressing well. Thank you.

Phone lines closed but surgery still open

Attempted to call at 11:15 on a Saturday and received a message indicating the practice was closed, despite the website showing availability until 12 o'clock.

Felt unheard and unsupported by reception staff

Disappointed with the level of support received