Highwoods Surgery

Compassionate care for my chronic back pain

I've been part of several general practitioner practices, but this one stands out as truly exceptional. After joining just three months ago, I've experienced unparalleled compassion and feel genuinely listened to. The support I've received for my back pain surpasses anything I've encountered in the past 14 years. It's absolutely incredible!

Frustrating phone lines at local surgery

I've been a patient at this medical practice for 12 years and previously received excellent care. However, I'm now deeply frustrated by their recent treatment. I desperately need to consult my GP and have been attempting to call continuously between 8am and 9am, but the line is constantly busy or unanswered. Even when the phone rings, no staff member picks up. If I manage to get through during the day, the earliest callback appointment from the GP is two weeks away. I cannot endure this additional stress on top of our existing challenges. I implore them to improve their phone communication and ensure calls are actually answered.

Pleasant staff at local practice

I have been a long-standing patient at Highwoods surgery and have consistently received top-notch care during my visits. While it can undoubtedly be exasperating attempting to connect via telephone to schedule an appointment, I genuinely endorse this practice as a compassionate team navigating challenging circumstances. Throughout my experiences, I have found all staff members - whether medical professionals, administrative personnel, or front desk representatives - to be consistently courteous and supportive.

Caring practice through decades of service

I've been a patient at Highwoods surgery ever since its establishment nearly four decades ago, and overall, my experience has been outstanding. During my recent urgent referral for a hospital procedure, I found both the medical and administrative staff to be courteous and supportive. While there have been a few instances of confusion regarding my daughter's prescriptions, and the appointment booking process can sometimes be challenging, I still confidently endorse Highwoods surgery as a compassionate healthcare provider managing a demanding role.

Friendly staff made my checkup easy

My visit to Highwoods surgery was exceptional, with incredibly supportive staff and a truly outstanding physician who provided top-notch care.

Kind staff made my day better

Notwithstanding the broader systemic challenges facing the National Health Service... The staff at the front desk and the physician were incredibly supportive. The personnel there are genuinely kind and welcoming.

Impossible to schedule morning appointments

My spouse has been attempting to reach out repeatedly during the specific morning timeframes of 8-8:30 AM on Friday, Monday, and Tuesday this week, seeking to schedule an appointment, but has been met with zero response. By the time a representative finally answers, you've either recovered or ended up hospitalized.

Caring doctors who really listen

We've been patients at this medical facility for an extended period. It's a top-notch practice where every staff member demonstrates exceptional understanding, professionalism, and competence. We wholeheartedly endorse their services.

Unhelpful reception at late afternoon visit

I am extremely let down by my encounter with the reception staff around 16:30 today. I sought assistance in obtaining a prescription for my wife, who has been suffering from persistent diarrhea for four days, with her Imodium medication proving ineffective. My wife is 73 years old and has not experienced such illness in many years. Despite the waiting room being nearly empty and three doctors being present in the surgery at 16:30, the receptionist was entirely unhelpful and unwilling to provide any support. Frustrated, I ultimately went to Tesco's pharmacy, utterly shocked by their lack of compassion. I'm certain that if Dr. Kumar had been on duty, I would have been invited to wait and receive medical assistance. The standard of care at this practice has dramatically declined. I have been a patient here since 1993, and the deterioration is beyond comprehension.

Impossible to book a morning slot

Securing an appointment has become an incredibly frustrating ordeal. The process requires endless phone attempts starting at the crack of dawn, and even after repeatedly dialing over 100 times, you're met with the harsh reality that all slots are already filled. The reception staff seem disinterested and routinely redirect patients to the walk-in centre without genuine assistance. This is a stark contrast to years past when scheduling was straightforward and accessible. Something has fundamentally changed in their approach to patient scheduling, and it's deeply disappointing.

First visit put me at ease

I had a truly wonderful visit today. Being new to the neighborhood, this was my inaugural appointment at this medical facility. The entire team displayed exceptional warmth, dignity, and expertise. I entered feeling quite anxious about the upcoming medical procedure but left with a sense of complete satisfaction and relief. My heartfelt appreciation goes out to everyone who made my experience so positive.

Missed diagnoses for my kids

Absolutely dreadful service. Scheduling an appointment is virtually unattainable unless you're an infant. Even when you manage to see a physician, their competence is questionable. My child's severe milk allergy went completely unnoticed by the general practitioner, despite my repeated concerns. Eventually, a health visitor intervened and referred us to an allergy clinic. Similarly, my 3-year-old's asthma was overlooked by the GP, even after I persistently requested a specialist referral. The quality of care was significantly better when Dr. Kumar was practicing here. Currently, the medical service is utterly deplorable. In my opinion, this practice deserves the lowest possible rating - zero stars.

Rude staff and ridiculous wait time

The staff's appalling demeanor and complete lack of assistance is mind-boggling. The medical professionals seem utterly unaware of the utter disdain their employees show towards patients. These staff members genuinely merit dismissal. What rational person would consider an appointment scheduled three weeks out acceptable? I wish I could shirk responsibility and escape this frustrating situation.

Missed meds and endless phone calls

If I could assign this surgery the lowest possible rating, I absolutely would. The past three years have been an absolute nightmare. As a type 1 diabetic dependent on insulin for survival, their incompetence has been life-threatening. Time and again, they've failed to provide the correct insulin or have completely omitted critical medications from my repeat prescriptions. Despite the pharmacy's helpfulness in showing me the problematic orders, I've repeatedly been forced to obtain emergency prescriptions through 111 just to get through the next day or weekend. Their medication errors are persistent and dangerous, even when hospital-requested prescriptions clearly specify correct amounts. The resulting anxiety around collecting prescriptions is overwhelming - I've experienced missing medications, incorrect dosages, and have even been given entirely wrong medications. Resolving these issues consumes hours of my time, which is unacceptable when these are life-sustaining medications with consistent, unchanging requirements. Attempting to communicate with their staff is utterly futile. Their reception staff are defensive, blame-shifting, and consistently rude, categorically refusing to acknowledge any responsibility for their mistakes. The appointment booking process is equally frustrating - calling at 8 am means repeatedly dialing 130, 140, even 186 times, only to be dismissed with "try again later". The service level is not just poor, but dangerously unprofessional. I understand healthcare systems are busy, but basic compassion and competence should be fundamental. This surgery's performance is nothing short of shocking and completely unacceptable.

No appointments for my sick baby

If you're seeking a general practitioner, I emphatically advise finding an alternative, particularly for parents with infants. I've been struggling for days to secure an appointment for my 8-month-old, with zero progress. Calling at 8 am results in perpetually busy phone lines, and when I finally connect, I'm informed that no appointments are open—not even for a young child! The situation is utterly appalling and deeply distressing.

Friendly surgeon put me at ease

The surgeon performing my minor procedure demonstrated exceptional compassion and attentiveness. The entire medical team was equally supportive and professional.

Speedy referrals made all the difference

I want to express my sincere appreciation to the receptionist and doctors for their incredible guidance, support, and helpful referrals. Within just a fortnight, I have been successfully referred to and seen by two specialized services. Your exceptional assistance means so much to me, and I am truly thankful. Please continue providing such outstanding care.

Terrible medical advice from start to finish

Complete disaster, you'd be far more accurate consulting YouTube for medical advice

Terrible surgery turning away sick children

Where do I even begin? Consistently refusing service to infants under one year old. Completely uninterested. The receptionists are downright unpleasant - and I don't make that statement casually. They demonstrate zero competence. The practice might as well not exist. I'm not persuaded they actually see any patients. They brazenly claim they're in a 'transition period' on their reviews, yet these issues have persisted for three years based on patient feedback. Highwoods surgery seems perfectly comfortable maintaining their abysmal standards indefinitely. When an inevitable complaint emerges because a child couldn't access timely medical care and tragically dies, I'm certain the receptionist will again deflect responsibility, repeating her rehearsed line that she 'cannot offer what is not available'. Let me be crystal clear - you operate a medical practice with an established system. You have the capability to manage appointments, prioritize cases, determine urgency, and implement appropriate triage. You could implement a proper telephone queuing system. You could prioritize pediatric cases. You must be accountable for your choices. If a child dies due to this broken system, I want to emphasize without ambiguity: THE RESPONSIBILITY WILL BE ENTIRELY YOURS.

Worried about healthcare costs after pandemic

Given the recent news update (14/10/21), we're now wondering if our medical practice will face financial ruin due to the accumulated penalties resulting from our policy of avoiding in-person patient consultations.