Longfield Medical Centre

Exceptional service from caring medical receptionist emma

I contacted Longfields Medical Centre about a personal health matter and was greeted by a delightful receptionist named Emma, whose service was absolutely impeccable. Her warm demeanor and comforting approach made a tremendous difference in my experience!

Frustrating online booking system needs serious improvement

I'm a fresh patient and find the medical practice's scheduling process extremely frustrating. The online booking system is incredibly inconvenient, requiring you to wait until midnight to access new appointment slots. Alternatively, you can call at 8am and attempt to secure a same-day appointment. Why can't they implement a more flexible system that allows booking appointments in advance by phone, instead of restricting patients to only reserving slots for the current day?

Compassionate care saved my life at last

The most exceptional medical care I've experienced throughout my 75-year lifetime, and it's precisely this outstanding treatment that has kept me alive and well. 🍃

Terrible healthcare service for young patients

This clinic's service is absolutely abysmal. I attempted to schedule a routine appointment for my teenage daughter today, only to be met with bureaucratic nonsense. Apparently, I'm not permitted to book her appointment, and she's also barred from using their online booking system simply because she's under 16. The receptionist informed me our only options are to arrive as an emergency case at 8am, visit the emergency room, or contact 111. The staff member I spoke with was incredibly unhelpful and displayed a shockingly unprofessional attitude. This is completely unacceptable and demonstrates a total lack of patient care and basic customer service.

Cruel parking fine destroys cancer patient's dignity

I observe the parking camera enforcers, who operate like thugs, lack any semblance of human decency or empathy, caring solely about extracting money at any cost. Their response to my situation—forgetting to input my vehicle registration while undergoing frequent, critical medical blood tests—was heartless. Despite my serious medical condition causing medication side effects like anxiety, confusion, and memory impairment, and the receptionist being fully aware of my circumstances, these ruthless individuals showed no compassion. When I provided proof of my condition, their only concession was reducing the £100 fine to £20, insisting that my medical situation was irrelevant and no excuse for not following their parking regulations. Since when does having cancer warrant being penalized? I refuse to pay them a single penny and intend to file a complaint with the Equalities Minister under disability discrimination laws. It's noteworthy that the staff have now added signage at the entrance, reception, and pharmacy—something they never did when the cameras were reactivated. After enduring the hardships of standing in rain during COVID, with elderly patients in wheelchairs suffering in freezing conditions, the least they could have done was provide clear notification. If there were an award for inhumanity, CIVIL ENFORCEMENT would undoubtedly win gold.

Solid service with professional results

Competent in their field.

Terrible healthcare at longfield medical centre

Absolutely dreadful medical practice. Despite being a long-term patient for over two decades, the service has never been stellar, but the last 5-6 years have seen a dramatic nosedive in quality, and COVID-19 seemed to give them carte blanche to completely neglect their responsibilities! Even now, with most pandemic restrictions lifted and other medical professionals readily accessible, Longfield continues to obstinately resist face-to-face consultations whenever possible. Getting through their abysmal telephone system is a Herculean task. If you somehow manage to enter the queue, prepare for a minimum hour-long wait, subjected to the most mind-numbingly irritating background music imaginable. You'll eventually reach position three in the queue, only to remain stuck there for another 30 minutes. When you finally reach first position, the torturous music stops, office sounds are audible, you take a breath to speak, and suddenly - CLICK! They hang up! After screaming at the disconnected phone, you'll retry, knowing defeat is inevitable, certain that no appointments remain, and if you dare mention being disconnected, you'll be accused of being rude and potentially threatened with another disconnection! There's typically one receptionist who exudes an attitude of supreme arrogance, rivaling even the most pompous doctors (though a few pleasant exceptions exist). Securing an appointment, particularly with your preferred doctor, is practically impossible. You're invariably redirected to the one physician always available - presumably because he's rude, dismissive, and speaks mumbling, accented monologues while avoiding eye contact, becoming visibly irritated when asked to repeat himself. I've endured medical issues for weeks to avoid seeing him, ultimately landing in A&E. Other doctors seem competent but appear demoralized, as if the workplace systematically drains their spirit. New physicians arrive and depart with such frequency that it would make Big Ben seem static. The facility itself desperately needs renovation - tired, dated, and untidy. The reception area screams for a fresh coat of white paint to dispel its dingy atmosphere. Numerous curled, negative informational posters plaster every wall, requiring organization. The reception's book collection looks haphazardly dumped, neither hygienic nor aesthetically pleasing. Parking? Forget it. Take any alternative transportation - bus, bicycle, magic carpet, or teleportation - just avoid driving. The sole bright spot in recent years has been the delightful dispensary staff - consistently cheerful, welcoming, and helpful. I'll genuinely miss them. I've strategically avoided medical consultations for years, much like avoiding the plague (which I also dodged!), and have now relocated, escaping this substandard healthcare experience. My advice? If alternative options exist, run - don't walk - in the opposite direction!

Frustrating healthcare experience with poor phone service

Attempting to contact reception proved incredibly frustrating, with a staggering 45-minute wait on hold. Securing a medical appointment for my elderly father became impossible. Ultimately, I was compelled to transport him directly to the Accident & Emergency department in Chelmsford, where a physician promptly examined him and prescribed antibiotics to treat his chest infection.

Exceptional healthcare through decades of dedicated service

Throughout my quarter-century of experience with this medical practice, I can only express complete satisfaction. They consistently strive to deliver essential healthcare services during challenging times. Whenever I've required medical attention, securing an appointment has been straightforward, and I particularly appreciate the telephone consultations that conveniently accommodate my work schedule. The entire medical team, especially Dr. Patel, demonstrates exceptional listening skills and professionalism. While they undoubtedly operate under time pressures, this is clearly a systemic issue beyond their control. The nursing staff are both approachable and competent, and the reception team goes above and beyond to ensure patients are directed to the most appropriate healthcare professional. In all these years, I have never once found cause for criticism.