Gorton Medical Centre

The most traumatic medical experience. Inept Practice!!!!

On the morning of 19th january 2026, I went to this GP after having a bad night of severe pains. Pains from the same symptoms I have communicating with this practice since 2021. I was told by reception to put a call through, even though I was there physically and on time to get a gp's appointment. I immediately started putting a call through while in the waiting area. I was on the phone for precisely 26 minutes having been told I was next on line from No.19 at the beginning of the call. I was put on hold for another 10 minutes, and kept on being told I was still No. 1. At this point I began to get uncomfortable knowing it was not right to be on No. 1 without an an answer for such a long time. I gently approached the reception to communicate this to her. She said there was probably some issue with the connection. I asked her how is that so, knowing that this was unlikely to be the case, because I still had the call on while communicating with her. At this point she said connecting calls were answered in another room and she'll do a check, which i handed my phone and number to her. She returned to tell me that my number was not showing on the board, even though it kept on saying I was number 1 and next in line. Somehow, I began to suspect I was being refused medical attention inspite of my dire predicament, for whatever reason, I wasn't told and till date have no idea. She (the receptionist) went on to say, I should start my call all over again, or return the next day for a GP's appointment. I reminded her that I really do need to see a Gp, and that is why I was on time to the centre, and had spent close to 40 minutes to get a call through to get an appointment. I also reminded her it was an ongoing pain for years which I have been communicating, and presently can no longer take pain killers due to liver issues and ulcerated stomach linings. The receptionist exact words "Just one night of pain and you are here? You either start the call all over again, or return tomorrow for an appointment. That is the best I can do." At this point I was close to tears and appalled at this line of maltreatment, and the lack of care and compassion from medical professionals. I left in tears, and told her I will be making a report of this. She looks me in the face and tells me "Go ahead, that is your problem!" I arrived home shattered and still in pains. I was too demoralised to go to the A&E. Thankfully and to the Glory of God, a bowel cancer test kit came in from the NHS the following morning. I took samples and sent it immediately, knowing that I needed every opportunity of care to get to the bottom of my pains. The test showed positive and I was immediately arranged for a colonoscopy. The colonscopy showed I had Diverticular Disease, which was the cause of my excrutiang pain. I should'nt have suffered pain and uncertainty for many years had Gorton Medical Centre excercised duty of care as a medical practice. I can't begin to communicate the ineptness and lack of patient care and compassion that this centre has exhibited to not just at this time - but many times cancellling appointments after waiting for weeks to get the medical care needed. It has taken me a lot to write this here, as this has been one of the saddest experiences of my life, and I still feel demoralised, dispirited and emotionally exhausted from this past experience. My sincere thanks and gratitude goes to the medical Team at The endoscopy unit at Manchester Royal Infirmary. They have been wonderful, prompt, caring with adeptness from beginning to end in true spirit of medical professionalism. Thank you for helping me get to the bottom of this and your pre- procedure and aftercare was exceptional. Thank you so much.

Waited over an hour, wasn't properly listened to

I had a very negative experience at this surgery. During one appointment, I felt that medication was prescribed without proper test results being reviewed first. I also experienced a lengthy wait, and when I inquired at reception, I was told the clinician was unavailable and I would need to rebook. When I was eventually seen, I felt the consultation was rushed and the clinician was not receptive to my concerns. In another instance, I felt pressured to obtain medications from external sources rather than having my regular repeat prescriptions dispensed as they had been at my previous surgery. Additionally, the appointment booking system is extremely difficult to navigate. I hope the NHS will review how patients are being treated at this practice.

This practice is constantly failing us.

I have a litany of issues going back to just about every time anyone in my family has had to visit this clinic, but the worst was in October, when my husband was discharged from hospital with no after-care, advice, or supplies to deal with a post-surgical open wound which was still bleeding heavily. We could not get a community nurse appointment anywhere until a week after discharge, and the local pharmacies don't sell the kind of dressings we needed (although as a diabetic with a medical exemption, he should have received them free on prescription). When I went to the clinic to ask for some, I was told that it wasn't their problem and to go back to A&E! When I pressed for more help, actually driven to tears because I was so desperate, the receptionist told me dismissively that "we're all in the same boat"!!! I'm already filing a complaint with the hospital for lack of after-care. We had to stuff the wound as best we could with household supplies while we waited for dressings to come which we ordered off the internet. After this, we had only one appointment with the community nurse, who checked the wound, then signed us off for care at home, even though nobody had checked whether I was competent to look after my husband or had even managed to obtain dressings. Following this experience, he has had to keep a very close eye on his medication, as the clinic kept getting it wrong, and has not received any follow-up appointments despite severe diabetes and blood pressure. Past issues include the impossibility of getting through to reception by phone; the online appointments system doesn't work; prescriptions being sent repeatedly to the wrong pharmacy; being prescribed the wrong kind of asthma inhaler; mislaid records; a referral form being filled out incorrectly so that I went for a chest x-ray at MRI and was sent away; and (this is more the fault of the NHS in general but just adds to the feeling of being failed at every turn) being told that they will not help my child with foot pronation problems until irreversible, crippling damage has set in, so we will have to visit a private (and therefore expensive) chiropodist. I was also offered a place on some kind of patient information panel, which I repeatedly requested, but got no further invitations. Overall, although I don't have any complaints about the point-of-contact treatment from the doctors and nurses themselves (though there is no consistency in who you get, so none of them can get to know patients), I am thoroughly frustrated and disappointed with the way this practice is run, which means things keep going wrong and I have to wonder how many other patients, including the elderly and vulnerable, are not receiving care. I feel driven to write all this because I don't see any other way to informing the practice of its shortcomings, and it's time someone did something about them.

Staff weren't understanding when discussing prescription issues

I had a deeply disappointing experience at this practice. The clinical staff displayed unprofessional behaviour during my visit, speaking in a manner that lacked compassion and understanding. Despite recognising that healthcare professionals work long hours, this did not excuse the harsh tone used, which was upsetting to my elderly relative. There appeared to be issues with the prescription system, but rather than offering support and solutions, the staff seemed dismissive of our concerns and did not appear to listen to our perspective. The practice would benefit significantly from additional training for its clinical team on patient communication and dignity, particularly when dealing with older patients. I found the interaction unhelpful and unsupportive when we needed guidance and assistance most. I have attended this practice for a considerable time and have generally been tolerant of previous issues, but this experience felt like a significant step backwards in the standard of care I would expect. The staff seemed more inclined to attribute problems to patients rather than working collaboratively to resolve them. I am very dissatisfied with this visit and feel the practice needs to seriously review how it engages with and supports its patients, especially vulnerable members of the community. This experience has left me questioning whether I can continue attending this practice with confidence.

Open space practice with helpful staff

I found the new practice to have a very open layout and the staff were extremely helpful. The clinician was very informative and provided me with considerable support, which helped to ease any concerns I had. I found them to be very approachable and easy to communicate with.

Kind and professional reception staff

Very kind and very professional staff member 👏

Phone calls answered promptly and staff genuinely care

This practice consistently demonstrates professionalism and a genuine commitment to patient care. The team members are welcoming and friendly upon each visit, with reception staff particularly notable for their warm greetings and positive demeanor. They regularly make extra efforts to ensure patients receive excellent service. Phone inquiries are typically answered very quickly, which significantly improves the overall experience. Thank you to this medical centre for the excellent care and service provided.

Friendly staff made me feel welcome

The medical team and nursing staff at this practice are excellent and provide wonderful care.

Felt listened to and properly explained throughout

I recently had the privilege of receiving treatment at this practice, and I am truly impressed by the exceptional care I experienced. From the very first appointment, the clinician demonstrated remarkable professionalism, deep medical knowledge, and genuine compassion. What stood out the most was the way the healthcare professional took the time to listen carefully to my concerns, explain everything clearly, and make sure I felt comfortable and informed at every step. Their patient-centered approach made a huge difference in my confidence and peace of mind. The treatment I received was handled with great skill, and the clinician's dedication was evident throughout the entire process. I felt valued not just as a patient but as a person. I am extremely grateful for the outstanding care and would highly recommend this practice to anyone looking for a trustworthy, knowledgeable, and caring medical service. Truly one of the best healthcare experiences I have ever had.

Staff arguments made waiting area uncomfortable

I would like to raise a formal concern regarding my recent experience at the practice. On two separate occasions, I was not called for my scheduled appointments despite waiting in the reception area. During this time, I observed staff members engaged in a disagreement with one another, which created an unprofessional and uncomfortable atmosphere. This situation appears to be connected to apparent staffing difficulties, and regrettably this is not an isolated incident during my time as a patient here. The experience caused me considerable stress and disruption, and I believe the standard of service fell short of what I would reasonably expect. I trust this matter will be given appropriate consideration and that steps will be taken to address these concerns promptly.

Staff couldn't manage basic prescription requests

The staff at this practice lack competence and struggle with basic administrative tasks. Transferring prescriptions to the local pharmacy appears to be beyond their capabilities. This practice ranks among the poorest NHS facilities in the local area.

Thorough approach to finding root causes

This healthcare professional is excellent at their work. They make a genuine effort to identify the underlying cause of health concerns before recommending treatment. A truly outstanding practitioner.

Phone lines drop calls during morning rush

I feel like the phone lines might be disconnected during morning hours. When I called right at 8am, I was third in the queue, but after a few minutes the hold music stopped and the line just rang with no one picking up. After numerous rings, I had to hang up and call back, which put me much further down the queue at position 13. I waited nearly 15 minutes to get back to a reasonable position, only for the same thing to happen again. The line rang repeatedly without an answer, and I found myself back at the end of the queue for a third attempt. This has occurred on previous occasions when I've tried to book an appointment as well, which has made me reluctant to call in the future.

Reception team made me feel genuinely respected

Excellent team members, particularly those working at the front desk. The setting is peaceful and well-maintained. I have consistently received courteous, dignified and respectful treatment throughout my visits.

Felt listened to and put at ease

I recently had an appointment at the practice. The clinician I saw was very professional and caring, and demonstrated a genuine commitment to their work. I also underwent a blood test with another member of staff. I was initially anxious about the procedure, but their supportive approach helped me feel at ease, and the experience went well. I felt better afterwards. Both members of staff were a credit to the practice and provided excellent care.

Impossible to book appointments and poor communication

I would rate this experience even lower if possible. I have found my medical care here to be deeply unsatisfactory. Obtaining an appointment is extremely difficult, and when one is secured, the consultation occurs behind schedule without acknowledgement of the delay. During the appointment, I felt criticised for booking the wrong slot. When I expressed frustration about these issues and the apparent lack of familiarity with my medical history, I was told my tone was aggressive. There were also disagreements about the timing of my previous medication refills. Most concerning was that prescriptions I expected to be sent to the pharmacy were not received, which created a difficult situation where I had to either stretch my remaining supply or stop taking essential medication abruptly, contrary to medical guidance. My overall experience has been one of poor service and feeling unsupported. I would not recommend this practice.

Phone consultation ended abruptly and frustratingly

I've been attending appointments at this practice for several weeks now and have been very pleased with the care provided by the nursing staff. However, I have had a less positive experience with some of the doctors, particularly regarding a recent telephone consultation where I felt the call was ended abruptly and unexpectedly.

Phone lines took ages to answer

I attempted to schedule an appointment by calling early in the morning. When I rang, there was a significant delay before anyone picked up, and the person who answered indicated they were having difficulty hearing me before disconnecting the call, despite my attempts to communicate clearly. While I have found the clinical staff to be genuinely competent and helpful when I have managed to secure appointments, my interactions with the reception team have been disappointing. The front-of-house staff came across as unwelcoming and unhelpful during this experience.

Reception staff were rude and unhelpful throughout

No wonder the reviews are already so low. If there were an option to give less than 1 star, I would have chosen that. Unfortunately, the service is very poor except for the clinical staff, who are kind and professional. The administrative staff who handle appointment enquiries and reception duties are extremely rude and unhelpful. Instead of assisting patients, they often make you feel humiliated and disrespected. To make matters worse, they frequently disconnect calls, which makes it even more frustrating to get any help. Sadly, I don't have the option to register elsewhere, otherwise, I would have switched already.

Reception staff didn't check appointment system

The reception team seemed unaware of appointments when we contacted the practice or arrived for visits. We were frequently told to return at a later time due to lunch breaks, and on other occasions were asked to come back the following day as the practice was closing soon.