Handsworth Medical Practice

Terrible service and endless waiting frustration

Absolutely terrible service. Attempting to schedule an appointment is practically impossible - you'll find yourself stuck on hold for an hour, only to potentially be told they're completely full. And when you actually arrive at their location, the waiting area is suspiciously empty, with maybe one person or no one at all. This operation desperately requires significant overhaul and restructuring.

Caring staff, broken booking system nightmare

Medical professionals are exceptional. The telephone scheduling process is deeply problematic, bordering on unacceptable. The system is particularly harsh for vulnerable patients, such as those who are ill or aged. After enduring over an hour on hold, individuals are frequently informed that no appointments remain for the day, with no option to schedule for the following day. Even when fortunate enough to secure an appointment, it is typically a vague telephone consultation without a precise time slot. This uncertainty leaves patients feeling anxious, hesitant to make or receive calls, or even to step away from the phone momentarily.

Frustrating gp practice with limited availability

Getting a GP appointment here is a nightmare. The clinic operates just twice weekly and is perpetually at full capacity. Their scheduling system is incredibly restrictive, with booking windows limited to a single hour (8-9 am), which makes it extremely challenging for anyone with a job. To even obtain a referral, I'm forced to seek out a private GP. I'm actively searching for a medical practice with a more contemporary approach and better accessibility to doctors.

Terrible service that wastes my precious time

Each attempt to schedule an appointment results in being placed on hold for nearly half an hour, only to have the call abruptly disconnected. This service is completely inadequate and fails to meet even the most basic expectations.

Frustrating medical practice with zero customer care

Absolutely abysmal service at this medical practice. Despite repeated complaints, absolutely zero progress has been made. Just this afternoon, I wasted 40 minutes on hold attempting to reach a receptionist. I've ultimately decided to abandon the phone and physically go to the office, which appears to be the sole method of achieving any actual communication.

Terrible customer service drives me absolutely crazy

Completely fed up after enduring a 57-minute wait, only to be abruptly dismissed and disconnected with the message that they can't assist me right now. This infuriating scenario repeats itself weekly, constantly toying with my emotions and elevating my stress levels. My time and well-being are valuable, yet they seem to care little about that. Here I am, once more on hold, experiencing this frustrating ordeal for the second time today... ABSOLUTELY OUTRAGED

Terrible service and endless waiting nightmare

Absolutely terrible decline in service. Attempted to schedule an appointment right after 8am, found myself behind more than 30 callers, and endured a grueling 33-minute wait on hold before the call abruptly disconnected.

Impossible to book a doctor's appointment anywhere

Attempting to schedule a medical consultation is an exercise in frustration. As soon as the clock strikes 8am, I start dialing, only to be met with constant busy signals. By 8:35am, all available appointment slots have vanished. It's completely understandable why emergency rooms are overcrowded - patients have no alternative when they can't secure a timely doctor's appointment!

Neglected and dismissed by an uncaring gp

I encountered a deeply troubling situation at this medical center. Following an accident, I shared my concerns with my physician and mentioned the university's suggestion of a potential learning disability. Rather than providing guidance or conducting an assessment, the GP simply instructed me to return to the university and let them handle my situation. This response made me feel utterly neglected and let down by the healthcare professional I had sought help from. Given my existing struggles with emotional well-being, this dismissive approach only intensified my psychological distress. The doctor demonstrated a remarkable absence of compassion and made no effort to explore or validate my concerns. Although I have previously had positive interactions with other practitioners at this practice, this particular GP's conduct represented, in my view, a complete failure of professional standards.

Frustrating customer service nightmare for everyone

Scheduling a consultation with this place is an absolute nightmare. I've been trying to secure a slot for weeks, but their booking system seems designed to frustrate potential clients. Every time I attempt to make an appointment, I'm met with roadblocks and dead ends. It's incredibly aggravating and makes me question their professionalism and customer service. Truly a disappointing experience before I've even set foot in their establishment.

Worst healthcare experience ever terrible service nightmare

If I could give zero stars, I absolutely would. It's astonishing that this establishment claims to be a medical practice. Securing a consultation is an absolute nightmare—I endured a wait exceeding 90 minutes, just to be informed no appointments were accessible. Multiple days have elapsed, and their scheduling system remains utterly ineffective. Several staff members demonstrate an appalling attitude, while simultaneously demanding patients maintain perfect decorum. The quality of service here is entirely unacceptable and profoundly disheartening. I'm utterly stunned that this is supposed to be my primary healthcare provider.

Unhelpful reception delays critical medical care

I reached out to the medical practice seeking guidance for a four-day bout of unrelenting fever, cough, and bodily discomfort, with no relief from over-the-counter treatments. Upon describing my symptoms to the front desk staff, I was informed that the clinic receives 50 daily calls about flu-related issues and cannot address them comprehensively. I was instructed to continue using over-the-counter medication, despite its proven ineffectiveness over the past four days. I am profoundly troubled that an administrative staff member, lacking medical qualifications and unfamiliar with my personal health background, age, and individual circumstances, is functioning as the initial screening point and determining my access to healthcare. This approach strikes me as not just inappropriate, but potentially life-threatening, as it could potentially postpone critical medical intervention. I am convinced that this protocol presents substantial patient safety risks, and I intend to formally escalate my concerns to the Care Quality Commission (CQC) to ensure proper medical oversight and patient protection.

Worst receptionist ever with terrible attitude

On December 19th at 4:00 PM, we encountered an incredibly discourteous female receptionist with absolutely no professional demeanor. Dressed in a large green coat and sporting long, unkempt black hair, she displayed significant difficulty communicating courteously with patients. Although the doctor had provided us a slip to collect a small bottle at reception, she took an excessive amount of time to complete this straightforward task. We were essentially left standing and ignored while she complained to her colleagues about having to cover someone's shift. She unnecessarily logged into the computer, despite it being completely unnecessary for simply handing out a sample bottle. It was evident she was unaware that distributing a sample bottle requires no complex computer procedure and doesn't even necessitate asking additional questions. Despite our politeness and use of "please" and "thank you," she remained unresponsive, merely staring blankly. My personal assessment is that she appears to harbor a deep resentment towards her job and potentially towards people in general.

Terrible customer service that makes me want to scream

Digital support is nonexistent. Whenever you attempt to call, the line is perpetually engaged. Each visit to their front desk results in staff who are completely ineffective and simply redirect you to send an email. The organization seems packed with incompetent employees who are solely focused on collecting their paycheck. Is there any leadership who actually reviews these complaints and might take meaningful action?

Heartbreaking failure of care for our beloved mother

Your assurances about my mother's cancer treatment were repulsive, and your approach was a continuous failure that our family should never have endured. Our grandmother, wife celebrating her passing just weeks afterward. You consistently let us down, repeatedly pledging mom would be at Whipps Cross hospital but disappointingly closed during weekends, with doctors unavailable. This message comes directly from Jackie's son - you should have shown far more commitment, and we intend to pursue this matter further. We sincerely hope your own family never experiences the same heartbreak we suffered! Candidly, you are completely unfit to practice medicine! Absolutely revolting.

Terrible medical practice with zero patient care

Absolutely dreadful medical practice. Scheduling an appointment is impossible. Phone calls go unanswered, but when you arrive, the waiting room is deserted. The physicians are incompetent, with one being especially bad. I'm actively searching for a new healthcare provider to replace these unprofessional practitioners.

Terrible customer service at local medical practice

Called the medical practice on Wednesday, November 27th to schedule an appointment for the upcoming week. The staff informed me that their scheduling system wasn't updated and advised me to ring back at 8am the next morning to book. When I phoned the following day, I encountered an extremely unprofessional young staff member who abruptly stated no in-person consultations were available (despite this not being mentioned previously) and that a doctor would contact me instead. He essentially rushed me off the phone, cutting me short and implying I should be grateful for any service. His demeanor was shockingly dismissive, and he seemed more interested in getting me off the line than addressing my healthcare needs. I strongly believe this individual requires significant training in customer service and basic interpersonal communication. A little politeness and respect would make a substantial difference in how patients feel when seeking medical assistance.

Frustrating healthcare system fails local patients

Absolutely incredible Impossible to secure a consultation Every morning post-8 AM, I'm invariably 29th in line, and by then all slots have vanished My persistent cough has lingered since September Staff repeatedly advise me to call back each morning, yet appointments remain unattainable I reside in Chingford E4 Meanwhile, my acquaintance in E14 Tower Hamlets effortlessly obtains same-day appointments Something is fundamentally amiss With Handsworth's healthcare system

Terrible medical care left me suffering alone

I had been battling an illness for weeks, continually delaying seeking medical help, hoping to recover independently. After enduring ten days of morning coughing fits producing thick green mucus, persistent daytime coughing episodes leaving me breathless, and even coughing up blood due to severe throat irritation, I finally reached out. Predictably, I waited an excruciating 90 minutes before someone answered. I suspect no one was actually available until 8:30, as I remained in the same queue position for half an hour. Eventually, I was informed that someone would contact me to evaluate my condition. A nurse called, not even a physician, and instead of scheduling an in-person examination of my throat and lungs, I was prescribed a 5-day antibiotic course and dismissed. The antibiotics initially provided relief. However, they ran out before I had fully recovered. I firmly believe I should have been prescribed a 7-day, not 5-day, treatment. Since the medication ended on a Saturday morning, I couldn't request an extension. Consequently, my health rapidly deteriorated. I'm back to experiencing 10-minute coughing episodes, expelling green phlegm, and feeling weak and disoriented. When I attempted to schedule another appointment, the surgery had no availability. So here I am, suffering alone at home, with ample time to contemplate the medical staff's profound lack of compassion. Despite COVID ending two years ago, they still refuse to see patients in person. Their method of phone-based assessment is completely incomprehensible to me. Despite repeatedly seeking help, I've been left entirely unsupported.

Frustrating pharmacy service with endless prescription problems

Their service has been thoroughly disappointing. I urgently needed antibiotics for a urinary infection and attempted to schedule an appointment. The receptionist claimed I could retrieve the medication at the counter. Unfortunately, upon reaching the pharmacy, I discovered she had mistakenly mixed up my vitamin D prescription with the antibiotic. The following day, I called again and endured a wait exceeding an hour, only to be informed that the doctor's schedule was completely full. Consequently, I spent two consecutive days struggling to obtain an antibiotic already prescribed by Hammersmith Hospital. Ultimately, I contacted the hospital directly, and they finally issued the prescription. Now, I'm forced to travel 13 miles just to collect my medication. To compound my frustration, they consistently fail to answer the phone when lines open at 8 AM. By 8:30, extensive queues have formed—frequently with more than 30 people waiting. Moreover, I strongly suspect there's underlying favoritism, as these types of complications consistently arise whenever I attempt to schedule an appointment.