Patient Experience Summary

Patient feedback reveals a practice with significant operational challenges that overshadow some positive clinical experiences. Appointment access remains a persistent concern, with patients reporting extended waiting periods ranging from weeks to months, alongside difficulties reaching the practice by phone, where wait times frequently exceed thirty minutes. Reception experience emerges as a key issue, with multiple accounts of dismissive, disrespectful, or unhelpful staff interactions, particularly when patients attempt to discuss health concerns or navigate booking procedures. The online booking system and communication platforms have generated frustration due to complexity, technical problems, and the practice's preference for digital channels over phone contact, which disadvantages those unable or unwilling to use these systems.

Medication management and continuity of care present additional concerns, with reports of prescription delays, lost samples, and inconsistent follow-up on test results. Several patients noted deterioration in service quality following recent organisational changes and staff departures. However, individual clinical staff members, including specific doctors and nurses, have received consistent praise for attentiveness, competence, and compassionate care. The practice environment and convenient location are also highlighted positively by some patients.

The overall picture suggests a practice where clinical quality varies but is sometimes undermined by administrative dysfunction, staffing constraints, and communication barriers that leave patients feeling frustrated and undervalued.

Appointment

18.90 %
Bad

Reception

24.30 %
Bad

Cleanliness

65.00 %
Great

Care

58.75 %
Average

Respect

28.15 %
Bad

Seen on time

22.50 %
Bad

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SS

Storm S. Google 10 months ago

Rating

Bad!

Frustrating wait times ruin an entire medical visit

Absolutely dreadful service, consistently left waiting well beyond my scheduled time slot with no respect for my schedule.

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KC

Keith C. Google one year ago

Rating

Bad!

Longtime patient betrayed by unprofessional new doctor

I had been a patient at this medical practice for more than two decades, enjoying a warm rapport with two general practitioners whom I felt truly understood me. Unfortunately, when both retired recently, the replacement doctor proved to be completely unsuitable. I discovered the new physician to be extremely pompous, cold, and seemingly focused solely on financial aspects of the practice. To make matters worse, I learned that she had added defamatory comments to my personal medical file. It's clear her professional ambitions and self-importance take precedence over genuine patient care and trust.

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IA

Ioana A. Google one year ago

Rating

Bad!

Horrible service that leaves patients feeling abandoned

I'm utterly shocked by this service's complete lack of responsiveness. In case of any urgent situation, you're looking at a minimum one-month waiting period, during which you could potentially face serious consequences. The staff has become so detached that human interaction is impossible - you're immediately redirected to an impersonal online form. It's absolutely appalling. What's the point of paying for a National Insurance Number if there's zero actual support or guidance available?

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JH

Joe H. Google one year ago

Rating

Bad!

Terrible medical service that wasted my time

If I could award zero stars, I absolutely would. The waiting period for even basic tasks like receiving test results typically exceeds an hour, and they've made me wait over a month for critical blood tests required to begin my medication. Additionally, they've repeatedly lost my samples over time and only inform me when I persistently follow up on the results. Completely ineffective and unreliable.

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JP

Jonathan P. one year ago

Rating

Average!

  • Appointment

    Bad
  • Reception

    Excellent
  • Cleanliness

    Excellent
  • Care

    Excellent
  • Respect

    Bad
  • Seen On Time

    Bad

Terrible decline under The Adam Practice

This practice used to be so good. But now it's been infected by the Adam Practice and it's awful attitude towards patients, constant delays and pathetic excuses. The staff at Lifeboat Quay do their best and remain excellent but the central team at the Adam Practice ruin everything with their awful attitude and approach. So sad to see the decline in a practice that was previously head and shoulders above most others in town.

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SC

Sue C. Google one year ago

Rating

Excellent!

Fantastic care from ann at adams practice

I recently underwent my annual blood test and blood pressure screening at Adams Practice Lifeboat Quey. The healthcare professional, Ann Pearce, who conducted the tests was absolutely delightful. Her warm demeanor and gentle approach immediately put me at ease during the procedure. I'm truly hoping that I'll have the opportunity to be treated by her again during my next year's check-up. Additionally, the reception staff were equally friendly and welcoming.

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HM

Hemmelyn M. Google one year ago

Rating

Bad!

Worst customer service ever painful online experience

Their customer support is completely inaccessible and unhelpful via telephone! The only response you get is a directive to use their online platform. Unfortunately, their web interface is equally disappointing - poorly designed, sluggish, and ineffective at providing clear information. Moreover, their scheduling system is absolutely terrible!

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TC

Tina C. Google one year ago

Rating

Bad!

Worst customer service ever avoid at all costs

Incoming calls go unanswered. Initially trapped in a muzak-filled holding pattern, and once you reach the front of the line, the phone simply rings endlessly. Absolutely zero response from anyone. Completely unacceptable.

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SM

Stephen M. Google one year ago

Rating

Bad!

Terrible service with frustrating booking system

This practice is an absolute farce! The appointment booking process is ridiculously limited - you can schedule only online or in-person at the practice, but definitely not by phone! And that's where the absurdity starts. If you don't reside directly across the street, you're forced to drive or take public transport - and nobody at Adam Practice seems to give a damn about your age or mobility challenges! "Just go online," they say! Fine. The supposedly 24/7 online service is anything but that for Adam Practice! Attempting to complete an appointment form on weekends, after 7 pm on weekdays, or during bank holidays is completely impossible - what utter nonsense! I'm dying to know if the "brilliant" mind who designed this system is even registered with Adam Practice... highly unlikely. I'm seriously considering finding another healthcare provider.

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AA

Amber A. Google one year ago

Rating

Bad!

Worst medical practice ever waste of time

Utterly abysmal service. Despite being first in line, it takes nearly 30 minutes just to get someone to pick up the phone. Their repeat prescription process is completely useless, with medications taking days to reach the pharmacy. I'm baffled by what the staff behind the counter are actually doing. Booking an appointment through their website is an exercise in frustration, and when you try to call about any issues, they simply redirect you online. Absolutely unacceptable. I'm definitely switching healthcare providers and will make sure to warn everyone I know to avoid this practice entirely!!!

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BM

Becky M. Google one year ago

Rating

Bad!

Pharmacy's medication mismanagement frustrates patient

The medical practice's conduct is utterly disgraceful! As a severely ill patient, I diligently followed instructions to order my medication on schedule. Despite receiving a text confirming its availability at the pharmacy, I arrived to find nothing after enduring a week without my essential pills. Upon contacting them, I was informed it awaited signing. Returning the next morning yielded the same frustrating result - no prescription in sight. When I called again on Thursday, they had the audacity to claim it was post-dated to the following Monday, despite already being overdue! This level of disorganization and incompetence forced me to switch practices. I can confidently say that Poole Town Surgery demonstrates far superior efficiency and genuine patient care.

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SB

Sarah B. Google 2 years ago

Rating

Great!

Compassionate care with appointment challenges

I've had a truly positive experience with the medical team, particularly Dr. Pannell, who has shown exceptional care and understanding towards my daughter. Her compassionate approach has made a significant difference in our visits. The entire staff, including the reception team, consistently demonstrates helpfulness and kindness. However, I must note that scheduling appointments and obtaining test results can be quite time-consuming. The extended waiting periods for these aspects of care are the sole drawback in an otherwise excellent medical practice. Despite this inconvenience, the quality of care provided by Dr. Pannell and her colleagues continues to impress me.

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KG

Kevin G. Google 2 years ago

Rating

Bad!

Horrific healthcare fails elderly and caregivers badly

I'm fully aware this is a nationwide issue, but the medical system is absolutely abysmal - if you're in excruciating pain, you're basically left to suffer and wish for relief. As my mother's sole caregiver, working around the clock every single day of the year, I'm experiencing this firsthand. She'll be 95 in June, struggles with dementia, has severely arthritic knees (swollen grotesquely like melons), and her right hip is completely worn down to bone-on-bone contact. As a result, she's completely bedridden. To manage her constant pain, she was previously prescribed cocodamol (15/500), but the pills were massive and impossible for her to swallow. I managed to get the medical practice to switch her to codeine linctus, which we've been using successfully for approximately three months. Just now, I've received a text message that suggests...

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DH

Daniel H. Google 2 years ago

Rating

Bad!

Terrible healthcare with zero communication skills

Zero stars would be fitting. Clinical personnel appear adequate from what I've encountered, but the administrative side is utterly incompetent. I spent an hour on the phone twice and endured 30 hours of frustration just to obtain an antibiotic prescription due to their incorrect pharmacy routing, and I'm still battling to resolve the issue. The staff were dismissive, hung up on me, and flatly refused assistance. When I physically went to address the problem, given the urgent nature, they inexplicably sent the prescription to a closed pharmacy. This is the second time I've experienced such absurd service, and I'm definitely changing healthcare providers.

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KP

Kier P. Google 2 years ago

Rating

Poor!

Terrible service and unprofessional medical practice

Never should this practice have merged with Adams. There's one female physician who comes across as extremely discourteous and unhelpful. Moreover, their online communication service is appalling, with embarrassingly poor spelling and grammar errors throughout their responses!!

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CW

Claire W. Google 2 years ago

Rating

Excellent!

Compassionate care transforms patient experience

Recently, my mother has been frequenting the clinic for regular consultations. While her previous encounters with two physicians were adequate, her latest appointment with Dr. Morles proved to be a breath of fresh air. This doctor's empathy and attentiveness were truly remarkable. She took the time to genuinely listen to my mother, involving her in the decision-making process regarding her medication and treating her with the utmost respect. The positive impact on my mother's demeanor following this visit was striking, especially when compared to her previous experiences. Dr. Morles instilled a sense of confidence and provided unwavering support, all through her exceptional interpersonal skills. What a delightful medical professional!

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RR

Robert R. Google 2 years ago

Rating

Bad!

Disastrous decline after merger: A nightmare

The merger with Adam Practice has precipitated an unprecedented decline in this surgery's quality, plunging it to abysmal depths that render even a zero-star rating excessively charitable. The encounter was nothing short of a nightmarish ordeal, leaving one utterly appalled and disheartened.

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LP

Lorraine P. Google 2 years ago

Rating

Excellent!

Positive experience with online appointments

As a unique individual, I've had a surprisingly positive experience since September 2023. The online booking system has been a game-changer for me, allowing me to secure numerous appointments with relative ease. Remarkably, I've never had to wait more than a fortnight to see a physician. While it's evident that the front desk personnel are grappling with some technological hurdles, my overall satisfaction remains high. I can't help but wonder if I'm in the minority with such a favorable outlook.

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A

Anonymouse 2 years ago

Rating

Bad!

  • Appointment

    Bad
  • Reception

    Bad
  • Cleanliness

    Average
  • Care

    Poor
  • Respect

    Bad
  • Seen On Time

    Poor

Cant be trusted.

My GP for 23 years has left. The replacement I find to be young, arrogant and dishonest. Not comfortable with this practice any more.

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HS

Holly S. Google 2 years ago

Rating

Bad!

Frustrating clinic: Missed calls and long waits

I experienced significant frustration with this service. Securing an appointment proved to be an arduous task, spanning nearly a month and a half. When I finally managed to schedule a telephone consultation, my hopes were dashed as the call never materialized. To my dismay, they attempted to reach me outside their stated business hours, rendering the entire process futile. This level of disorganization and apparent disregard for patients' time is deeply disappointing.

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Practice Response Rate
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About the GP

  • Accepts all feedback, both positive and negative.

Contact Information

  • 0844 4773324
  • Lifeboat Quay Medical Ctr Unit A Lifeboat Quay Poole Dorset BH15 1AE

Patient Experience Summary

Patient feedback reveals a practice with significant operational challenges that overshadow some positive clinical experiences. Appointment access remains a persistent concern, with patients reporting extended waiting periods ranging from weeks to months, alongside difficulties reaching the practice by phone, where wait times frequently exceed thirty minutes. Reception experience emerges as a key issue, with multiple accounts of dismissive, disrespectful, or unhelpful staff interactions, particularly when patients attempt to discuss health concerns or navigate booking procedures. The online booking system and communication platforms have generated frustration due to complexity, technical problems, and the practice's preference for digital channels over phone contact, which disadvantages those unable or unwilling to use these systems.

Medication management and continuity of care present additional concerns, with reports of prescription delays, lost samples, and inconsistent follow-up on test results. Several patients noted deterioration in service quality following recent organisational changes and staff departures. However, individual clinical staff members, including specific doctors and nurses, have received consistent praise for attentiveness, competence, and compassionate care. The practice environment and convenient location are also highlighted positively by some patients.

The overall picture suggests a practice where clinical quality varies but is sometimes undermined by administrative dysfunction, staffing constraints, and communication barriers that leave patients feeling frustrated and undervalued.

Appointment

18.90 %
Bad

Reception

24.30 %
Bad

Cleanliness

65.00 %
Great

Care

58.75 %
Average

Respect

28.15 %
Bad

Seen on time

22.50 %
Bad
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