Patient feedback reveals a deeply divided experience at this practice, with stark contrasts between clinical care and operational service. Many patients praise individual doctors for their attentive listening, compassion, and professional expertise, describing consultations that feel unhurried and thorough. However, these positive clinical interactions are frequently undermined by significant systemic challenges. Appointment access emerges as the most persistent complaint, with patients reporting lengthy phone queues from 8am, unavailable slots, and difficulty securing timely consultations. Reception staff conduct is another major concern, with multiple accounts of discourteous, dismissive, and unhelpful interactions that leave patients feeling invalidated and frustrated.
Beyond appointment difficulties, patients describe poor communication from reception staff who appear to override clinical decisions, inadequate responsiveness to booking requests and callbacks, and inefficient administrative processes affecting prescriptions and test coordination. Several patients report feeling disrespected during vulnerable moments, particularly during vaccination appointments and mental health consultations. A smaller group of patients report positive reception experiences and smooth booking processes, suggesting inconsistency in service delivery.
While the practice has invested in facility improvements and maintains capable medical professionals, the operational barriers to accessing care and the reception experience significantly detract from overall satisfaction. Patients consistently note that despite appreciating individual clinicians, the difficulty in securing appointments and the discourteous reception experience have prompted some to seek care elsewhere.
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Claim & Manage ProfileShows how often this practice responds to patient reviews and feedback.
Patient feedback reveals a deeply divided experience at this practice, with stark contrasts between clinical care and operational service. Many patients praise individual doctors for their attentive listening, compassion, and professional expertise, describing consultations that feel unhurried and thorough. However, these positive clinical interactions are frequently undermined by significant systemic challenges. Appointment access emerges as the most persistent complaint, with patients reporting lengthy phone queues from 8am, unavailable slots, and difficulty securing timely consultations. Reception staff conduct is another major concern, with multiple accounts of discourteous, dismissive, and unhelpful interactions that leave patients feeling invalidated and frustrated.
Beyond appointment difficulties, patients describe poor communication from reception staff who appear to override clinical decisions, inadequate responsiveness to booking requests and callbacks, and inefficient administrative processes affecting prescriptions and test coordination. Several patients report feeling disrespected during vulnerable moments, particularly during vaccination appointments and mental health consultations. A smaller group of patients report positive reception experiences and smooth booking processes, suggesting inconsistency in service delivery.
While the practice has invested in facility improvements and maintains capable medical professionals, the operational barriers to accessing care and the reception experience significantly detract from overall satisfaction. Patients consistently note that despite appreciating individual clinicians, the difficulty in securing appointments and the discourteous reception experience have prompted some to seek care elsewhere.
Appointment
Reception
Cleanliness
Care
Respect
Seen on time
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Martin A.
5 years ago
Bad!
Neglected patient frustrated with poor healthcare service
Now that I've reached 60, I'm frustrated and let down that the surgery hasn't reached out to schedule my health check (a pattern that started when I missed invites at 50 and 55). The government promises a free health screening every five years, and my work colleagues of similar age are receiving their check-ups, yet I've been completely overlooked for three consecutive screenings. When I raised my concerns with the receptionist, I was told these checks were suspended due to COVID-19 - despite other practices continuing to conduct patient screenings during the pandemic. It's clear we're not receiving the same level of care and attention offered by other surgeries. We're seemingly reduced to receiving impersonal text messages discouraging communication. After reading numerous negative comments about Hillcrest surgery, it's deeply troubling. The residents of Peasedown genuinely deserve much better healthcare service.
Rachel S.
5 years ago
Excellent!
Compassionate doctor made my medical experience wonderful
I had a delightful phone consultation with an incredibly compassionate physician recently. He was so attentive and warm, going above and beyond to provide support. The doctor took ample time to listen and was wonderfully reassuring throughout our conversation. I was so impressed that if I could remember his name, I would absolutely seek him out for all my future medical needs!
Alan E.
5 years ago
Excellent!
Exceptional healthcare from hillcrest's amazing medical team
Throughout my eight-year experience with Hillcrest, I've been consistently impressed by their exceptional medical team. My latest interaction with Dr. Phillipson in December exemplified the highest standard of primary care, truly representing what an outstanding general practitioner should be.
Danielle B.
5 years ago
Bad!
Terrible healthcare experience for a new patient
utterly appalling, relocated to the neighborhood while expecting and attempted to register with this medical practice, including sending address verification. repeatedly phoned to confirm my registration status, only to be consistently told the appropriate staff member was unavailable. instructed to re-register, which i did, yet remained unprocessed. requested return calls multiple times, receiving zero response. after three months of futile efforts, i ultimately abandoned the process. completely outraged.
Shane H.
5 years ago
Bad!
Terrible service and unprofessional staff at clinic
The front desk staff were incredibly discourteous, constantly interrupting and dismissing our concerns by citing rigid protocols. We were there to get our infant's vaccinations, and the nurse managing the clinic was a full half-hour behind schedule. The entire experience felt rushed and stressful, with the nurse pressuring my partner to dress our 5-month-old in the waiting room. I strongly recommend seeking medical care at Radstock Surgery instead. STEER CLEAR OF HILLCREST
Jamie P.
5 years ago
Bad!
Rude staff ruined our first vaccination experience
My child's inaugural vaccination appointment with my partner was marred by an incredibly unwelcoming encounter. The receptionist's demeanor was abrasive, shouting instructions from behind the desk with zero warmth. Inside, my partner was rushed through the process and made to feel like an inconvenience disrupting their apparently packed workflow. The entire interaction was appallingly insensitive, leaving my partner emotionally distressed during an already anxiety-inducing milestone with our first child. While I acknowledge that COVID-19 has altered many standard procedures, it certainly hasn't eliminated the fundamental expectation of basic human decency and compassionate communication.
Claire C.
5 years ago
Excellent!
Compassionate care at hillcrest makes me feel welcome
Since relocating to this area last fall, I've found Hillcrest to be absolutely wonderful. The personnel have consistently demonstrated professionalism and kindness, maintaining superb communication despite the challenges posed by pandemic restrictions. Having experienced healthcare in the United States, where many individuals lack any medical coverage, I'm profoundly appreciative of this service and the NHS as a whole. It truly strikes me that we should collectively express more appreciation for our medical professionals - doctors, nurses, and support staff who dedicate themselves to our collective well-being with remarkable skill and compassion.
Kain M.
6 years ago
Bad!
Terrible service breaches my personal data privacy
They completely disregard privacy concerns and seem willing to divulge personal details to any random inquirer without hesitation, which leaves me utterly stunned and deeply disturbed
James J.
7 years ago
Bad!
Terrible mental health support from unhelpful practice
Their approach to customer care is utterly frustrating. Without delving into extensive specifics, I've reached my limit with their lack of assistance. When you arrive and articulate your concerns, they immediately invalidate your experience and claim they're powerless to help. For anyone seeking mental health support, I strongly recommend finding a different general practitioner or pursuing private healthcare. The sensation of being completely disregarded and feeling like your time has been pointless is incredibly demoralizing. Despite my general tendency to offer second chances, this practice has already exhausted far more opportunities than they deserved to improve their service.
Greg M.
8 years ago
Bad!
Frustrating prescription delay with unhelpful staff
Attempted to obtain my prescription and was informed it would be ready by 3 PM. Upon arriving at 4 PM, I discovered it hadn't been processed. After calling the office, I was instructed to follow up in an hour to check if the doctor had signed off. The reception staff were unhelpful and couldn't confirm whether the prescription would be available today, effectively causing me to squander an entire day's worth of time and effort.
Chris S.
8 years ago
Excellent!
Exceptional care and compassion at local medical practice
It's an outstanding medical facility. My wife, battling a life-threatening illness, has received exceptional care from this practice. The operations are almost always seamlessly coordinated. Regarding the physicians, they are consistently professional and highly competent - and as a delightful extra, some are remarkably attractive (occasionally just being in the same room with one of them lifts my spirits, and I momentarily forget why I'm there) One particular male doctor has zero tolerance for time-wasters and those feigning illness, swiftly dismissing such individuals. While this might irritate those trying to game the system, for patients with legitimate health concerns, he is both efficient and compassionate. Recently, the facility has undergone extensive renovations and expansion, necessitated by the village's growth. They've incorporated new technological equipment and expanded their staff.
Adriana F.
12 years ago
Excellent!
Compassionate doctor who truly cares about her patients
I have been a patient at Hillcrest surgery for 15 years, having been seen by all the GPs and locums who have worked there. Doctors come and go, and it's clear that empathy is crucial in defining the GP-patient relationship. Dr Cumspty has been a constant presence at Hill Crest throughout these years, not just because she is a well-recognized, established, dedicated, and brilliant professional, but most importantly because as a person, she maintains a special, warm rapport with patients that makes you feel supported when you need it most. Her connection with patients is so effective because of her genuine caring nature and honest approach as a listener, combined with a touch of humor, an open mind, and flexibility. This has been her consistent approach over the years. As I've experienced many GPs and treatments, very few have the ability to make you feel like a "person" rather than just a "patient". Consulting Dr Cumspty is like visiting Claire - a friend who always greets you with a smile and whom you completely trust and feel comfortable confiding in. Thank you, Claire! You are a true exemplar of what all doctors should strive to be. ADRIANA FISHER