Middleton Lodge Practice

Practice not fit for purpose

I move to the area last year, this is the second time i have had to use the doctors, The first time after i had been seen, i ended up in A&E!. I wanted to make an appointment, unable to do so, had to go to the Urgent treatment centre to be seen and be prescribed a prescription for some antibiotics for an ailment they misdiagnosed me for, and when i wanted another prescription i had to back to the urgent treatment centre at Newark because my because i could not get a appointment to see a doctor to get another prescription. THE PLACE IS NOT FIT FOR PURPOSE!!!!!!!

Still waiting for promised callback and referral

I submitted a complaint to the practice management team over five weeks ago and have yet to receive a response. Additionally, I made an urgent referral request approximately a month ago that remains unresolved. I was assured that someone from the practice would contact me this week, but that call has not materialised. I am extremely disappointed with this level of service.

Phone queues making appointments increasingly difficult

The practice has experienced a decline in service quality over recent months. Issues have included being referred to hospital for tests only to discover the necessary information hadn't been forwarded beforehand. Telephone wait times have been lengthy, often exceeding twenty minutes before reaching someone. During a consultation, when physical symptoms were raised, the response felt dismissive rather than supportive. The shift towards digital systems has created barriers, particularly for older patients who struggle to navigate online messaging options. Symptoms continue to worsen, and there's a sense that concerns are not being taken seriously.

Swollen legs dismissed as weight gain during pregnancy

Attended an appointment at 25 weeks pregnant presenting with swollen legs, itchy skin and headaches. The initial assessment suggested the leg swelling was related to weight gain and strain, with reassurance that preeclampsia was unlikely given a low blood pressure reading. Testing was arranged for another condition and antihistamines were prescribed. I was asked to return the following day for results and to see a different clinician. The follow-up appointment confirmed borderline findings for the condition tested. Limited discussion took place regarding the leg swelling, though I was advised that the hospital would need to be contacted. I was subsequently referred to maternity triage, where the clinical team expressed concern about the presentation and recommended admission for further investigation and treatment with blood thinner injections due to suspected deep vein thrombosis. I spent the night in hospital awaiting a leg ultrasound scan to confirm the diagnosis. During this assessment, it was noted that there was significant asymmetry between my legs, with one notably more swollen than the other, and the clinical team indicated this should have prompted earlier referral. I feel that the initial consultations lacked thorough assessment of my symptoms, and I have concerns that a potentially serious condition was not identified promptly. I believe more careful evaluation of presenting signs would have been beneficial in my care pathway.

Flu clinic staff came out to the car

I'm very grateful to everyone who organised the flu vaccination clinic today. The process was straightforward and efficient. My father has difficulty with mobility, and when I mentioned this to a member of staff, they were happy to arrange for a healthcare professional to administer his vaccination directly at the vehicle. This was a thoughtful and helpful gesture.

Phone queues are frustratingly long here

The phone lines can take a while to get through to, and prescription orders sometimes aren't prepared as quickly as expected, though the nursing team are excellent. I recently booked an appointment with my doctor and was given a slot further out than the usual timeframe I'm accustomed to.

Felt rushed out and not properly listened to

I had a very poor experience during my recent visits. After being unwell for three weeks, I attended an appointment where I was informed that a crackling sound was detected in my lung and was given a prescription for antibiotics. However, I was told they were unlikely to be effective, which made me hesitant to use them. When my symptoms persisted after five weeks, I booked another appointment with a different clinician. Upon explaining my previous experience, I was told that the earlier assessment had actually indicated no crackling sound in my lung. This contradicted what I had understood from my first visit, and it was distressing to be questioned about my recollection, especially as my son had been present during that appointment and could corroborate what I had been told. The second clinician did confirm that a crackling sound was present and prescribed antibiotics again, this time with reassurance that they would be beneficial. However, the appointment ended abruptly, with the clinician standing up and attempting to usher me out before I had finished getting ready to leave. Other patients in the waiting area appeared to notice this rushed behaviour. I remain unwell and uncertain about my condition. The inconsistency in my care and the manner in which I was treated has left me feeling very uncomfortable about returning for further appointments. The overall standard of service fell well short of what I would expect, and I found the experience deeply disappointing and unprofessional.

Surgery withheld number when trying to reach me

I recently visited the surgery and was informed that they had attempted to contact me by telephone. It turned out that their calls were coming through with a withheld number, which meant I hadn't answered them. When I enquired about why their number was being hidden, I wasn't given a clear explanation. This seemed rather unusual.

Busy practice but online booking helps

The practice tends to be quite hectic and bustling. I was able to secure an appointment with a clinician relatively quickly when needed. There can be challenges when trying to access a specific healthcare professional. The nursing staff have been supportive and accommodating. While the telephone lines are often engaged, the online booking system provides a convenient way to check appointment availability.

Helpful team working in a cramped building

Outstanding care provided by a committed group of healthcare professionals. They are delivering excellent work despite operating within an outdated facility that falls short of modern standards.

Misdiagnosed twice, wasn't listened to properly

Disappointing experience with the medical team. My son received incorrect diagnoses on two separate occasions. One of these turned out to be inaccurate upon further investigation.

Receptionists need better phone manner training

The reception team's phone manner could be significantly improved. Their approach to calls comes across as dismissive and disrespectful, and they would benefit from developing better communication skills when speaking with patients.

Plenty of doctors available when you need them

This is the finest medical practice I have experienced, with a good number of healthcare professionals available.