Patient Experience Summary

Feedback reflects a mixed but predominantly negative experience with significant challenges in appointment access and reception interactions. Patients consistently report lengthy waiting periods of two to three weeks for appointments, difficulties reaching the practice by phone, and frustration with the online consultation system, which many describe as problematic and ineffective. Reception staff conduct has emerged as a particular concern, with multiple accounts of dismissive, unhelpful, and discourteous behaviour during patient interactions. Several patients have noted issues with medication processing, inadequate clinical assessments, and poor continuity of care, particularly regarding mental health support.

In contrast, clinical staff and some individual team members receive praise for their listening skills, professionalism, and responsiveness when patients do access care. A smaller number of patients report positive experiences with specific clinicians and appreciate the convenience of the NHS App for consultations and prescription ordering. However, these positive interactions are substantially outweighed by widespread concerns about systemic barriers to care access and the overall practice environment.

The shift towards digital-only appointment systems has proven controversial, with patients expressing concern about accessibility for those uncomfortable with technology and the perception that the online process creates obstacles rather than solutions. Multiple patients have indicated they are considering or have already transferred their registration to alternative practices due to these cumulative service issues.

Appointment

32.18 %
Bad

Reception

38.21 %
Poor

Cleanliness

72.50 %
Great

Care

48.76 %
Poor

Respect

42.89 %
Poor

Seen on time

35.64 %
Poor

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L(

Leonardo (. Google 3 years ago

Rating

Bad!

Dismissed concerns without proper investigation

It is disappointing to experience care that does not align with the professional standards one would expect. The approach taken seemed to dismiss concerns without thorough investigation, with suggestions to manage symptoms at home. What transpired felt like an inadequate assessment, as the underlying cause required different intervention than what was initially recommended. A more comprehensive diagnostic approach, including appropriate testing, would have been beneficial in identifying the actual nature of the health issue.

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DD

Danielle D. Google 3 years ago

Rating

Bad!

Reception staff lack awareness of patient details

I have found it difficult to feel confident or reassured when visiting this practice. On multiple occasions when I have contacted reception, the staff have seemed unfamiliar with details regarding my prescriptions or medical matters. Additionally, I have not felt that my concerns or circumstances have been met with compassion or understanding. During my visits, I have observed the reception area staff engaging in casual conversation and laughter while patients who were unwell were waiting to be seen, which has contributed to an unwelcoming atmosphere overall.

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SB

Sean B. Google 3 years ago

Rating

Bad!

Phone queue delays left me frustrated and unheard

After waiting for a phone appointment, I called the surgery to report that I had not received a call, only to be informed that the doctor had apparently called multiple times. Given that I have been dealing with an ongoing health concern since November, and following a previous interaction where I was told about a serious health matter, I felt frustrated trying to arrange a follow-up appointment. When I contacted the surgery, I was told no appointments were available. I expressed my dissatisfaction with the service, feeling that the appointment system and communication have been inadequate and concerning given my health situation.

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DM

Denise M. Google 3 years ago

Rating

Average!

Getting harder to book appointments these days

I am finding it increasingly difficult to access appointments at my GP practice these days, as the service used to be much better.

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CW

Claire W. Google 3 years ago

Rating

Excellent!

App-based consultations saved me valuable time

I've been a patient at this practice for quite some time now. Looking at what other people have written, I find myself puzzled by some of the feedback. When I've been dealing with discomfort recently and needed to speak with a clinician, I've consistently received a response within a day. My approach is to use the NHS App to get in touch. I describe my symptoms and concerns, and they provide an estimated timeframe for when they'll ring me back—and they've always called sooner than that window. Any medications they prescribe are automatically sent to the pharmacy, so I simply need to collect them without having to attend an appointment. This is genuinely convenient and saves me considerable time. The app itself is also useful for ordering repeat medications and reviewing my prescription history.

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KW

Karen W. Google 3 years ago

Rating

Bad!

Long waits and no appointments available

Visited today with my partner and I'm quite puzzled about how this practice continues to operate. The surgery appeared to have very few people present, and when seeking medical attention, we were informed that no appointments were currently available. They were unwilling to arrange an appointment even for a future date. This seems counterproductive, and I wonder if it contributes to the strain on other healthcare services.

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LM

Lorraine M. Google 3 years ago

Rating

Bad!

Dismissive attitude toward mental health concerns

The staff were very unwelcoming, and those with mental health concerns appear to face significant barriers to receiving appropriate care. There seems to be a tendency to dismiss physical symptoms and attribute them to psychological causes rather than conducting proper assessment.

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AH

Abed H. Google 3 years ago

Rating

Bad!

Long waits and no appointments available

I felt compelled to give the lowest rating to express my feedback regarding the service quality. The practice consistently appears overwhelmed, with limited availability for appointments. Attempting to reach reception involves substantial waiting periods, which I found frustrating. In my view, even a single star rating seems generous given my experience.

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NE

Nick E. Google 4 years ago

Rating

Poor!

Appointment booking system needs urgent improvement

I'm very glad to be moving away from this practice. The appointment booking process is extremely frustrating, requiring early morning calls at 8am just to attempt securing a slot, only to be informed that none are available and to try again the following morning. This system feels chaotic and disorganised. Even when an appointment is eventually obtained, there is typically a substantial wait of two to three weeks. I will not be returning.

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BC

Bobby C. Google 4 years ago

Rating

Bad!

Appointment system makes booking nearly impossible

Poor experience overall. I have been attempting to secure an appointment for documentation purposes for an extended period. The availability of appointment slots appears inconsistent, with release times varying regularly. The practice does not seem to take into account that my current medication affects my ability to attend early morning appointments. The telephone manner of staff was disappointing. I am dissatisfied with this practice as my healthcare provider.

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GL

Graeme L. Google 4 years ago

Rating

Excellent!

Felt listened to and well treated

The healthcare professional I encountered was excellent.

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TK

Tony K. Google 4 years ago

Rating

Bad!

Reception shared medical news publicly without privacy

I found my experience at this practice to be disappointing. I received significant health information from reception staff in a public area where other patients could hear, which felt inappropriate and distressing. I have been struggling with mental health challenges related to my past, and I felt the clinical team were unable to provide the support I needed. I was also frustrated by the difficulty in obtaining referrals to specialist services, which seemed to be an ongoing barrier to receiving comprehensive care.

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KM

Kayleigh M. Google 4 years ago

Rating

Excellent!

Felt listened to and thoroughly checked over

Would definitely recommend visiting this practice. The clinician I saw was amazing with my child. They were among the best healthcare professionals I've encountered in quite some time. They listened carefully and conducted a thorough examination. I'm very grateful for the care provided. :)

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LR

Llama R. Google 4 years ago

Rating

Bad!

Hard to book appointments here

There is only one clinician here that I have found to be helpful, while I have had disappointing experiences with others. Additionally, I encountered a receptionist whose manner I found quite off-putting, though I haven't interacted with them recently. Obtaining appointments has proven very difficult for me. I have also been frustrated with how mental health concerns have been handled, feeling passed between different services without receiving the continuity of care I needed over an extended period.

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JP

Jamie P. Google 4 years ago

Rating

Bad!

Impossible to reach reception during the day

It is extremely difficult to reach the reception team. There is a recorded message indicating the surgery has restricted hours during midday. Attempting to make contact consistently results in lengthy waiting periods, sometimes extending over multiple days before speaking with someone.

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AL

Anita L. Google 4 years ago

Rating

Excellent!

Friendly staff who actually listen to you

Excellent medical facility with a warm and inviting environment where healthcare professionals demonstrate genuine attentiveness to patient concerns...👍

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MJ

Mervyn J. Google 4 years ago

Rating

Excellent!

Friendly reception made the visit pleasant

Excellent experience.

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AP

Anne P. Google 5 years ago

Rating

Bad!

Struggling to get through on the phone

It has been difficult to reach this medical centre. Multiple attempts to call today have resulted in either engaged lines or lengthy waiting times before speaking to reception staff. The accessibility of the service requires improvement.

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LW

Lucy W. Google 5 years ago

Rating

Bad!

Doctors dismiss concerns with vague diagnoses

The care I received was disappointing, as I felt the diagnoses provided were not thorough and concerns were often attributed to common viral causes without further investigation.

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D(

David (. Google 5 years ago

Rating

Bad!

Prescription line repeatedly unavailable when needed

The practice declined to issue a repeat medication request that was submitted ahead of the standard timeframe. When attempting to contact the prescription department by phone, the line was unavailable and alternative contact methods did not provide the assistance needed, despite multiple attempts to reach the correct department. This has resulted in a gap in medication supply. This experience reflects ongoing concerns about the level of service provided by the practice.

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About the GP

  • Accepts all feedback, both positive and negative.

Contact Information

  • 0191 4692173
  • Longrigg Medical Centre 2 Longrigg,Leam Lane Est. Felling, Gateshead Tyne & Wear NE10 8PH

Patient Experience Summary

Feedback reflects a mixed but predominantly negative experience with significant challenges in appointment access and reception interactions. Patients consistently report lengthy waiting periods of two to three weeks for appointments, difficulties reaching the practice by phone, and frustration with the online consultation system, which many describe as problematic and ineffective. Reception staff conduct has emerged as a particular concern, with multiple accounts of dismissive, unhelpful, and discourteous behaviour during patient interactions. Several patients have noted issues with medication processing, inadequate clinical assessments, and poor continuity of care, particularly regarding mental health support.

In contrast, clinical staff and some individual team members receive praise for their listening skills, professionalism, and responsiveness when patients do access care. A smaller number of patients report positive experiences with specific clinicians and appreciate the convenience of the NHS App for consultations and prescription ordering. However, these positive interactions are substantially outweighed by widespread concerns about systemic barriers to care access and the overall practice environment.

The shift towards digital-only appointment systems has proven controversial, with patients expressing concern about accessibility for those uncomfortable with technology and the perception that the online process creates obstacles rather than solutions. Multiple patients have indicated they are considering or have already transferred their registration to alternative practices due to these cumulative service issues.

Appointment

32.18 %
Bad

Reception

38.21 %
Poor

Cleanliness

72.50 %
Great

Care

48.76 %
Poor

Respect

42.89 %
Poor

Seen on time

35.64 %
Poor
Filter

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