Patient Experience Summary

Patient feedback reveals a significantly divided experience at this practice, with substantial concerns about appointment access and booking systems alongside positive feedback about clinical care quality. The most consistent complaint centres on appointment availability, with patients reporting persistent difficulty reaching the practice by phone, congested phone lines during morning hours, and lengthy waiting times between booking and consultation dates. Reception experience is mixed, with some patients describing courteous and helpful staff whilst others report discourteous interactions and poor communication about appointment status and medication availability. Communication gaps appear systemic, including delayed follow-up, missed referral processing, and inconsistent information provision to patients.

Where patients successfully access clinical consultations, feedback becomes notably more positive. Doctors and nurses are frequently described as compassionate, attentive, and professional, with several patients highlighting responsive care and effective treatment guidance. Online consultation services receive particular praise for convenience and efficiency. However, a minority of reviews raise concerns about clinical decision-making and the quality of some consultations. The practice demonstrates capability in delivering timely medical attention and supportive care experiences when appointments are secured, yet the significant barriers to accessing these services create frustration that dominates much of the feedback.

The contrast between access difficulties and clinical quality suggests organisational challenges in appointment management and communication systems rather than fundamental issues with the care provided. Patients express willingness to continue with the practice when they can access it effectively, but many indicate they are actively seeking alternative providers due to the appointment booking experience. Improvements to phone line capacity, appointment availability, and communication protocols appear to be the primary areas requiring attention.

Appointment

35.27 %
Poor

Reception

42.18 %
Poor

Cleanliness

65.00 %
Great

Care

51.64 %
Average

Respect

46.82 %
Poor

Seen on time

58.91 %
Average

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KG

Kevin G. Google 2 years ago

Rating

Excellent!

Quick and clear dental visit

Punctual scheduling with no waiting time, the medical procedure was performed smoothly and thoroughly described from start to finish

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YN

Yvonne N. Google 2 years ago

Rating

Excellent!

Quick and helpful customer support

Welcoming staff, quick service, and clear, responsive communication

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JD

James D. Google 2 years ago

Rating

Excellent!

Friendly team made my checkup easy

Excellent medical practice with incredibly supportive and friendly personnel!

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JL

Jeff L. Google 2 years ago

Rating

Bad!

Endless waiting and no help at all

Completely ineffective service. Repeatedly informed I'm first in line, yet left waiting endlessly with no response. In my five decades of experience with this practice, it's currently at its absolute lowest point. I'm actively seeking alternative healthcare providers.

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JT

June T. Google 2 years ago

Rating

Excellent!

Quick and helpful morning consultation

Finished online consultation at 10am, followed by an in-person meeting around 2:40. Received a fantastic response.

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AP

Allan P. Google 2 years ago

Rating

Excellent!

Tricky patient app made registration tough

Every time I go to the surgery, it's a pleasant visit without any issues. The only drawback is the new patient access app, which is incredibly difficult to set up. Not everyone is tech-savvy, and this is especially challenging for older individuals like myself.

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DS

Diane S. Google 2 years ago

Rating

Excellent!

Caring team made me feel heard

Medical professionals and front desk personnel demonstrate exceptional compassion, genuine understanding, and profound empathy. They truly engage by listening attentively. An outstanding healthcare facility.

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TT

Trevor T. Google 2 years ago

Rating

Excellent!

My lifelong medical home with caring staff

Throughout my entire life, this medical facility has been my go-to healthcare provider. While the specific branches and personnel have changed over time, the consistent quality of care and professionalism has never wavered.

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ST

Steve T. Google 2 years ago

Rating

Excellent!

Dr. Khoo really listened to my concerns

Dr. Khoo provided top-notch medical assessment and compassionate treatment during my visit.

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PS

Pauline S. Google 2 years ago

Rating

Excellent!

Friendly doctors who really listen and help

The team at Forge Practice has consistently provided me with top-notch medical support. Every staff member—from the doctors to the nurses and administrative personnel—demonstrates genuine compassion and ensures efficient service!

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SP

Sharon P. Google 2 years ago

Rating

Excellent!

Friendly doctors in spotless clinic

Charming front desk team. Knowledgeable doctors. Exceptionally tidy and inviting environment

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SH

Steven H. Google 2 years ago

Rating

Excellent!

Emma made my quick checkup smooth

My consultation was slightly behind schedule by about 5 minutes, which is perfectly reasonable, and Emma, the staff member I interacted with, was exceptionally pleasant. Overall, a fantastic experience that I would highly recommend.

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RT

Ruth T. Google 2 years ago

Rating

Excellent!

Quick care and friendly doctor

Received quick attention from a compassionate physician who offered valuable guidance

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MT

Malcolm T. Google 2 years ago

Rating

Excellent!

Prompt on time but doctor seemed disinterested

Scheduled for a 9 am consultation yesterday and was seen right at the scheduled time. Surprisingly punctual, though the physician's bedside manner left something to be desired. I'm struck by the lack of waiting room congestion and can't help but speculate whether this is due to an efficient e-consultation process or simply doctors with idle time. Considering I had to wait a fortnight just to secure this appointment slot.

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LJ

Liam J. Google 2 years ago

Rating

Excellent!

Supportive staff helped me feel comfortable

The staff member at the front desk, who had a short blonde hairstyle and wore glasses, was incredibly considerate and professional when discussing my personal health concerns. The medical professionals I've encountered have also been excellent up to this point!

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GL

Gabriel L. Google 2 years ago

Rating

Excellent!

Quick appointments and caring doctors

I'm thoroughly impressed with the medical practice's service lately. After relocating for my studies, I switched to this surgery and found it vastly superior to my previous healthcare provider. I consistently manage to secure an appointment within 48 hours whenever necessary. The physicians here are truly exceptional.

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LB

Lynne B. Google 2 years ago

Rating

Bad!

Worst hospital visit ever

Utterly appalling service with zero empathy, completely disregarding patient care and well-being.

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JK

John K. Google 2 years ago

Rating

Bad!

Referral lost for five long months

A complete organizational disaster showcasing total internal miscommunication. My oxygen nurse submitted a referral letter on September 4th, 2023, and during her next visit in January 2024, she had to personally contact the surgery to inquire about its status. The receptionist admitted no doctor had yet reviewed the referral and promised to have a physician examine it. Three days later, they scheduled a telephone consultation for two weeks ahead. When the call occurred, the unidentified doctor discussed my blood pressure and shockingly displayed no knowledge of the original referral. The five-month delay in reading and processing the referral, followed by such unprofessional and uninformed communication, is absolutely unacceptable. This appears to be a recurring pattern for this practice, and like many other frustrated patients, I am seriously considering switching to a more competent medical facility. Having one's health managed so carelessly is deeply concerning. Your life literally depends on their competence.

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KB

Kathryn B. Google 2 years ago

Rating

Bad!

Doctors kept googling my health issue

During my two recent visits to this medical practice, consulting two separate physicians about the same issue, both doctors spent their time searching Google for potential treatments. On each occasion, their reliance on online searches proved completely ineffective, rendering the consultations utterly useless and a total waste of my time.

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NS

Nadene S. Google 2 years ago

Rating

Bad!

Impossible to book urgent child care

This medical practice is utterly disgraceful. My child, who is five, consistently misses scheduled visits and has been forced into urgent care settings. Scheduling injections is impossible because advance bookings are prohibited, and direct communication with a doctor seems non-existent. The endless e-consultation process is completely futile, as actual human interaction remains elusive. Even when they claim to send follow-up emails, I've received nothing, leaving my concerns completely unaddressed. The surgery appears to be deliberately avoiding patient care, effectively abandoning those who need medical attention. Their approach is causing significant emotional strain and potential health risks. The entire healthcare system here is fundamentally dysfunctional, with an apparent indifference to patient well-being that is both shocking and unacceptable.

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Respond to patient reviews

Monitor satisfaction trends

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Trusted by GP practices across the UK
Practice Response Rate
0.00%

Shows how often this practice responds to patient reviews and feedback.

About the GP

  • Accepts all feedback, both positive and negative.

Contact Information

  • 0191 5109393
  • The Old Forge Surgery Pallion Park, Pallion Sunderland Tyne & Wear SR4 6QE

Patient Experience Summary

Patient feedback reveals a significantly divided experience at this practice, with substantial concerns about appointment access and booking systems alongside positive feedback about clinical care quality. The most consistent complaint centres on appointment availability, with patients reporting persistent difficulty reaching the practice by phone, congested phone lines during morning hours, and lengthy waiting times between booking and consultation dates. Reception experience is mixed, with some patients describing courteous and helpful staff whilst others report discourteous interactions and poor communication about appointment status and medication availability. Communication gaps appear systemic, including delayed follow-up, missed referral processing, and inconsistent information provision to patients.

Where patients successfully access clinical consultations, feedback becomes notably more positive. Doctors and nurses are frequently described as compassionate, attentive, and professional, with several patients highlighting responsive care and effective treatment guidance. Online consultation services receive particular praise for convenience and efficiency. However, a minority of reviews raise concerns about clinical decision-making and the quality of some consultations. The practice demonstrates capability in delivering timely medical attention and supportive care experiences when appointments are secured, yet the significant barriers to accessing these services create frustration that dominates much of the feedback.

The contrast between access difficulties and clinical quality suggests organisational challenges in appointment management and communication systems rather than fundamental issues with the care provided. Patients express willingness to continue with the practice when they can access it effectively, but many indicate they are actively seeking alternative providers due to the appointment booking experience. Improvements to phone line capacity, appointment availability, and communication protocols appear to be the primary areas requiring attention.

Appointment

35.27 %
Poor

Reception

42.18 %
Poor

Cleanliness

65.00 %
Great

Care

51.64 %
Average

Respect

46.82 %
Poor

Seen on time

58.91 %
Average
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