Gosforth Memorial Medical Centre

Can't get through on the phone

Completely unhelpful and extremely difficult to reach.

Struggled to get an appointment here

One of the poorest experiences I have had with a GP practice in terms of service quality and appointment availability.

Professional centre with helpful and caring staff

An absolutely professional, well managed centre with really lovely, caring and very helpful staff giving an outstanding service. Thank you.

Phone queues have become impossibly long

What's happened to this practice lately? The standard seems to have declined significantly. There used to be a time when you could reach reception and book an appointment within a few minutes, but now the wait to get through is considerably longer. On one occasion, it took over an hour to speak to someone, and I was seventh in the queue. How is anyone meant to access care when they need it? Staff shortages are cited as the reason, but surely the solution is to recruit additional team members. This situation is wholly unsatisfactory and the service falls well short of what patients in this area should reasonably expect. It's disappointing and raises questions about how resources are being allocated and prioritised.

Quick to book and respond to queries

Excellent responsiveness Speedy availability for appointments Much appreciated 🙏🏻

Appointment booking system needs urgent improvement

The situation appears to be deteriorating. Attempting to book an appointment at 8.30 results in all slots being unavailable by the time the call connects. Trying again at 1230 yields the same outcome. A previous healthcare provider offered online booking functionality that allowed scheduling several weeks in advance, rather than competing for same-day appointments. When contacting the surgery, calls often seem to be answered and disconnected almost immediately. This is quite frustrating. As a result, walk-in centres have become the preferred option for receiving care rather than relying on this practice.

Appointment access has become increasingly difficult

The quality of care has noticeably declined over the past couple of years. Previously, appointments were readily available, but now even when calling during booking hours to report urgent concerns, patients are told they will receive a callback to determine whether an appointment is necessary. This process feels inefficient and reflects disappointing service standards. Additionally, the telephone system experienced significant technical difficulties that persisted for an extended period. Given the substantial public funding the practice receives, one would anticipate such issues would be resolved promptly rather than taking many months to address. During this time, patients faced barriers to accessing care, as calling ahead became problematic and walk-in visits were not permitted. Overall, the experience suggests a considerable decline in service quality.

Phone lines constantly down and rude reception staff

The telephone system is frequently unavailable, and when calls do get through, the reception staff can be quite unwelcoming, which seems at odds with working in a healthcare setting.

Staff took time to explain everything clearly

The team demonstrated professionalism and courtesy throughout. They were straightforward in their approach and made an effort to provide thorough explanations of matters discussed.

Phone lines keep cutting you off without holding

I have experienced several difficulties with this practice. While I recognise the significant pressures facing the service, I have found the experience at other comparable GP practices to be considerably more satisfactory. For those requiring frequent contact with their GP, I would suggest exploring alternative services. The telephone system presents challenges, with calls being disconnected rather than placed on hold, and the appointment booking process lacks clarity. I have noticed inconsistencies in the information provided by different staff members when addressing the same query, and there have been instances where paperwork and patient information have gone missing. It appears that improved systems and standardised procedures across the practice would benefit staff coordination and consistency. Although I acknowledge the substantial demands on the service, I feel that practices elsewhere are demonstrating a stronger commitment to maintaining standards during these challenging times.

Persistent phone disconnections and inexperienced prescribing

Getting through to this clinic proves quite challenging, as phone calls frequently drop without connection. Additionally, the less experienced clinicians appear to lack sufficient knowledge, as their prescribing practices seem questionable and their communication style leans more towards counselling than medical consultation. I experienced two occasions where medications were recommended without a thorough assessment of my background or proper exploration of my concerns. It appears that if the initial telephone screening with reception staff determines your issue is not urgent, you are more likely to be seen by these less experienced practitioners, which seems counterintuitive.

Quick appointments with helpful staff

Quick access to appointments with a welcoming and supportive team.

Receptionist went the extra mile for me

The receptionist who assisted with my enquiry was incredibly helpful. The service provided was excellent and I genuinely appreciated their supportive and attentive approach. Thank you.

Helpful reception staff made all the difference

This is an outstanding practice that I have been part of. The reception team members are incredibly supportive and helpful. The clinical staff provide excellent care. I am very grateful for the service received.

Attentive doctors who really listen well

I have only been with the practice for a few months but every clinician I have seen has been attentive and caring. I was recommended to register by numerous people, including someone with medical knowledge who spoke highly of the service. I have certainly not been disappointed.

Long-term patient valued for attentive care planning

I have been a patient with this practice since I was young. The majority of the time I am able to see my preferred GP. One particular clinician has always been very supportive to me, especially over the last few years when I have attended the surgery more frequently than at any other point in my life, and they treat me with respect and actively involve me in discussions about my care. Another GP at the practice is also excellent, as they clearly review recent patient information before appointments and provide very good care.

Friendly reception made booking straightforward

This medical centre is an excellent choice for healthcare and provides outstanding medical services.

Unhelpful staff who wouldn't assist me

Disappointing experience where I felt the practice was unable to provide the assistance I needed. I would recommend considering alternative healthcare providers.

Consistent care from the same doctor

Excellent medical professionals, and I consistently see the same practitioner at each visit!

Well run practice with skilled professionals

Gosforth Memorial Medical Centre operates as an efficiently managed medical practice staffed by competent healthcare professionals.