Patient Experience Summary

Patient feedback reveals significant challenges with appointment access and reception experience, which dominate concerns across the reviews. Many patients report difficulty securing appointments despite calling early, with extended waits for available slots and limited weekend access. Telephone contact proves problematic, with lengthy automated messages and disconnections before reaching staff. Reception interactions are frequently described as unwelcoming, dismissive, and lacking courtesy, with some patients experiencing abrupt or unhelpful responses when attempting to book or register.

Clinical care quality shows considerable inconsistency across the practice. While some patients praise professional, attentive, and compassionate clinicians who provide thorough explanations and responsive communication, others report rushed consultations and dismissive attitudes. Several patients highlight exceptional nursing staff who demonstrated genuine care and patience. Communication issues extend to follow-up interactions, with some patients feeling their concerns were not properly heard or taken seriously.

Positive feedback acknowledges courteous reception staff in specific instances and commends clinical professionals who take time to listen and explain treatment clearly. However, these positive experiences appear inconsistent with broader patterns, and access barriers combined with variable care quality create uncertainty about service reliability. Patients express frustration with the gap between positive individual interactions and systemic challenges in appointment availability and consistency of approach.

Appointment

35.00 %
Poor

Reception

38.50 %
Poor

Cleanliness

55.00 %
Average

Care

52.25 %
Average

Respect

42.75 %
Poor

Seen on time

40.50 %
Poor

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DD

Delan D. Google 2 months ago

Rating

Bad!

Felt completely dismissed and unheard

I have had an extremely disappointing experience with the care I received.

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KK

Kastro K. Google 2 months ago

Rating

Bad!

Staff dismissive about urgent health concerns

I recently had a blood test and received notification that it could not be processed, requiring me to schedule another one. When I contacted the practice to arrange this, I was informed that the earliest available appointment would not be for several weeks. I expressed concern about the potential health implications of such a delay, particularly given that my previous test results had prompted an immediate same-day appointment. During this conversation, I felt the staff member was dismissive of my health concerns and presented the situation as take-it-or-leave-it rather than working collaboratively to find a solution. I was disappointed by what I perceived as a lack of genuine concern for patient wellbeing in how the appointment availability was handled. I also noticed some physical changes following the initial blood test, though I am uncertain whether these are typical. Overall, my experience left me frustrated with both the communication style and the apparent inflexibility in addressing urgent healthcare needs.

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NM

Noob M. Google 3 months ago

Rating

Bad!

Repeated cancellations and long appointment waits

The staff were unhelpful and displayed poor communication. Appointments were cancelled multiple times, resulting in a lengthy wait for an available slot. There were issues with prescription processing that did not meet expectations. Overall, the service fell short of acceptable standards.

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MC

Miss C. Google 5 months ago

Rating

Bad!

Staff were dismissive and unhelpful throughout

The staff demonstrated a lack of competence and were quite discourteous. I found the overall experience disappointing.

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ST

Suthan T. Google 6 months ago

Rating

Bad!

Phone receptionist was dismissive and unhelpful

The receptionist I spoke with on the phone had a rude manner and displayed an unpleasant attitude.

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IG

Ibo G. Google 11 months ago

Rating

Bad!

Felt unheard and poorly treated here

The treatment received at this practice was extremely disappointing.

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AS

Amanda S. Google 11 months ago

Rating

Bad!

Phone staff attitude needs improvement

The receptionist I spoke with on the phone was quite rude and had a poor attitude. I was told that if I needed an appointment for my child, I would need to register at a different practice. I have called repeatedly without success in obtaining an appointment. This is a disappointing situation and the overall service has been unsatisfactory.

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JW

J W. Google one year ago

Rating

Excellent!

Friendly reception made the visit pleasant

Outstanding experience! Much appreciated :-)

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JS

Joel S. Google one year ago

Rating

Bad!

Rude reception staff made me feel unwelcome

The staff members were quite discourteous and their conduct fell short of professional standards. I would suggest this practice consider reviewing their team. I would not recommend this surgery to others.

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AE

Azunna E. Google one year ago

Rating

Bad!

Booking system fails but staff care shows through

I found the overall experience disappointing and felt the service lacked competence and organisation. The appointment booking system seemed problematic, with limited availability and no weekend consultations offered. Access to medical records appeared inadequate, and I questioned the level of expertise among the clinical team. This did not feel like a suitable practice for my healthcare needs. That said, one member of nursing staff stood out as genuinely pleasant and professional. This individual demonstrated genuine care and patience, taking time to communicate clearly and ensure I understood my treatment and next steps.

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CP

Claire P. Google one year ago

Rating

Poor!

Phone consultations felt dismissive and unhelpful

I have had mixed experiences at this practice. During a telephone consultation, I found the interaction to be unpleasant and somewhat intimidating, which was particularly difficult given that I was already feeling unwell and stressed. At a separate in-person appointment, I received a medical note when I asked for one and that went smoothly. However, a subsequent follow-up call felt uncomfortable. The clinician I spoke with indicated they were unable to comment on the note provided by a colleague due to that colleague's absence, and suggested the note had therefore expired. This seemed unusual to me, as this was the only occasion I have needed such a note and I am not familiar with the specific guidelines around this. I would have expected that when following up on a medical note, the practice would have arranged an in-person appointment and provided medical advice rather than simply declining to engage with the previous documentation. At my previous practice, the clinicians were noticeably more courteous and approachable.

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MN

Malgorzata N. Google one year ago

Rating

Excellent!

Staff listened and genuinely wanted to help

Since registering with this practice, I have been pleasantly surprised by how kind and professional all the staff members are. I was seen by a clinician on several occasions and was touched by their friendliness, compassion, kindness and understanding. I have not experienced such positive visits at other practices before and I would highly recommend this one. I am grateful for the care and advice I have received. It makes a significant difference when you encounter someone who listens carefully and genuinely wants to help you.

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DD

Dom D. Google one year ago

Rating

Excellent!

Staff took time to listen and explain

I registered with the practice in early 2024. The reception and administrative staff, along with the pharmacy team, paramedics, nursing staff and clinical practitioners have all demonstrated friendliness, courtesy and responsiveness. Most importantly, I have found that all the clinical team members are attentive and comprehensive in their approach, which has been notably different from some of my previous experiences elsewhere.

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DC

Don C. Google one year ago

Rating

Bad!

Staff lost my personal details without concern

Exercise caution when sharing personal information at this practice. The staff demonstrated a lack of awareness regarding data protection regulations and misplaced documentation containing sensitive medical and personal details within their office. They appeared unconcerned about the situation.

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TN

Tas N. Google one year ago

Rating

Excellent!

Receptionist issues, but clinical staff showed genuine care

My experience at the clinic has generally been disappointing, particularly regarding appointment availability and the manner of reception staff interactions, which caused me to stay away for an extended period. Recently, however, I required a routine screening procedure and was attended to by a clinical nurse specialist. She made the appointment straightforward and put me at ease by thoroughly explaining what would happen and why it was important. I also brought up a concern about a skin lesion during the visit, and she carefully documented this, took photographs, and arranged for these to be reviewed by a specialist. This standard of attention went well beyond what I anticipated, especially considering the usual challenges in obtaining appointments at this practice. The clinical nurse specialist additionally provided helpful guidance on other health matters I happened to mention and suggested I arrange appropriate follow-up consultations. Her compassionate approach and professional manner have given me renewed confidence in attending this clinic for my healthcare needs. I feel that this level of care and commitment should be the standard across all healthcare services. I am appreciative of the support I received and wish the staff member well.

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IK

Irene K. Google 2 years ago

Rating

Bad!

Reception staff were dismissive and unhelpful

The reception staff were unwelcoming and difficult to interact with. Obtaining an appointment proved challenging, and the overall service quality was poor. The manner in which patients were addressed felt patronising and disrespectful. The experience left me feeling that the practice environment was not inclusive or welcoming to all patients. I would not recommend this practice to others, particularly those from minority backgrounds who may have similar concerns about how they would be treated.

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DA

Dlnya A. Google 2 years ago

Rating

Bad!

Reception staff were unhelpful about booking appointments

The reception staff were unhelpful and I found it difficult to secure an appointment. I was unable to obtain an appointment for an extended period and was repeatedly told to call early in the morning, which I did attempt, but without success. I was disappointed with the service provided by the practice and am considering registering with a different GP.

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K4

Kurd 4. Google 2 years ago

Rating

Bad!

Poor treatment and unhelpful reception staff

The standard of care and treatment received at this practice was extremely disappointing.

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CC

Colin C. Google 2 years ago

Rating

Poor!

Receptionist was dismissive and unkind

The receptionist at the front desk was quite abrupt and dismissive in their manner. They did not engage in a friendly or considerate way, and seemed to lack empathy when dealing with patients.

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PS

Pedro S. Google 2 years ago

Rating

Excellent!

Staff treated me with genuine respect and care

I had read a number of reviews about the team beforehand and was somewhat taken aback by what was said. In my own experience, however, everyone demonstrated courtesy, attentiveness and consistently provided excellent care. I can only speak positively about my visits to this practice. I am genuinely grateful for the support and professionalism shown by all those involved in my care.

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About the GP

  • Verified GP
  • Accepts all feedback, both positive and negative.

Contact Information

  • 0191 2734009
  • The Holmside Med.Group 142 Armstrong Rd,Benwell Newcastle Upon Tyne Tyne & Wear NE4 8QB

Patient Experience Summary

Patient feedback reveals significant challenges with appointment access and reception experience, which dominate concerns across the reviews. Many patients report difficulty securing appointments despite calling early, with extended waits for available slots and limited weekend access. Telephone contact proves problematic, with lengthy automated messages and disconnections before reaching staff. Reception interactions are frequently described as unwelcoming, dismissive, and lacking courtesy, with some patients experiencing abrupt or unhelpful responses when attempting to book or register.

Clinical care quality shows considerable inconsistency across the practice. While some patients praise professional, attentive, and compassionate clinicians who provide thorough explanations and responsive communication, others report rushed consultations and dismissive attitudes. Several patients highlight exceptional nursing staff who demonstrated genuine care and patience. Communication issues extend to follow-up interactions, with some patients feeling their concerns were not properly heard or taken seriously.

Positive feedback acknowledges courteous reception staff in specific instances and commends clinical professionals who take time to listen and explain treatment clearly. However, these positive experiences appear inconsistent with broader patterns, and access barriers combined with variable care quality create uncertainty about service reliability. Patients express frustration with the gap between positive individual interactions and systemic challenges in appointment availability and consistency of approach.

Appointment

35.00 %
Poor

Reception

38.50 %
Poor

Cleanliness

55.00 %
Average

Care

52.25 %
Average

Respect

42.75 %
Poor

Seen on time

40.50 %
Poor
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