Northwood Medical Centre

Very helpful receptionists

I would like to commend the reception staff, particularly Joanne on this occasion, who was very helpful both on the phone and in the surgery, talking me seriously with patience and respect. I have always received politeness and helpfulness from the reception staff. An issue I do have is that the physiotherapist is present in the surgery for only one and a half days a week and I am having to wait 4 weeks to get an appointment as I have a funeral on the first date offered. It will then be another 6 - 8 weeks of exercises before further investigating the possible reason for my pain if exercises haven't worked.

Cancelled my medical a few hours before my appointment

I received a text message a few hours before my medical telling me it had been cancelled. I telephoned them and after a very very long wait spoke to someone to book a new appointment. Despite cancelling my appointment on the day I now have to wait 8 days for another appointment (at a different practice). Surely they should prioritise people who they let down at the last minute. Very very poor service and lack of care for patients. Quite clearly this practice is in a state of disarray if this happens. I have marked down Reception because of the atrocious time they take to answer the phone and failure to promptly re-book a patient they cancelled. I cannot comment on cleanliness so gave 4, to be fair. The consultation was cancelled so I should give zero really.

Unhelpful and Dismissive Front Desk Staff

The front desk employees display a consistently discourteous attitude. Heaven help you if you attempt to seek clarification or raise any concerns. Their service is unacceptable and absolutely requires significant improvement.

Frustrating wait times at this clinic

Consistently behind schedule for appointments. Patients endure waiting periods ranging from half an hour to nearly an hour. If we arrive 5 minutes late, they immediately cancel our slot, but when they're delayed, it's seemingly inconsequential.

Lubna made my blood draw painless

Lubna, the healthcare assistant who performed my blood draw, was absolutely fantastic. The procedure was completely painless, and I was thoroughly impressed with her skill and professionalism. She made what could have been an uncomfortable experience truly seamless and comfortable. Best regards Richard

Terrible service with misleading information

Practice demonstrated a complete disregard for the right to choose referral pathway, instead attempting to deflect blame onto other agencies. Upon direct communication with these agencies, it became clear that the practice's claims were entirely unfounded. The agencies advised pursuing a formal complaint, which I fully intend to do. Their conduct was thoroughly unprofessional and displayed a shocking absence of compassion.

Evening Appointment Saved My Life

My local medical practice utilizes Northwood as a service hub for procedures like blood draws. Without this facility, I would face weeks of waiting for a GP appointment. Recently, I secured an evening blood test slot at short notice, and the results revealed critical abnormalities that enabled my doctor to arrange my urgent hospital admission. I am truly thankful this essential service is available. Most crucially, Lubna (whom I've consulted multiple times) is exceptional! She is not only highly competent in her role but also incredibly warm and professional. Her approach helps me feel comfortable, and her blood drawing technique has significantly reduced my testing anxiety. Though I anticipate more medical tests ahead, I am confident knowing I'll be cared for by Lubna. Having a friendly, familiar face truly makes a profound difference when navigating health challenges and medical uncertainties. Lubna, I deeply value your work and extend my heartfelt gratitude. 🤩☺️

Awful, avoid

Dreadful, poor uncaring attitude. They put barriers in place making it more difficult to access care. Avoid this practice!

Reception Team Rocks After 20 Years

I've encountered numerous negative comments regarding the reception team. However, having been associated with this practice for over two decades, I can confidently say they are exceptional. The staff are consistently courteous and make a genuine effort to address any concerns thoroughly.

Elderly Patients Struggling to Get Care

I serve as a caregiver for my elderly sister, aged 85, and her husband, who is 89, and the medical care they receive from this practice is absolutely appalling. They are constantly struggling to secure a doctor's appointment, being forced to complete paperwork repeatedly just to schedule a consultation. The surgery's suggestion to send them to Alvechurch when they reside on Middleton Hall road is completely unreasonable. I have never encountered such deplorable healthcare service in my life. I am absolutely determined to escalate their case with the practice management and am utterly outraged by the shameful lack of proper medical attention these two vulnerable senior citizens are experiencing.

Decades of Trust Crumbling at My GP Practice

I've been a patient at this practice for three decades, and have historically been judicious in my interactions. The quality of service and professional standards have significantly declined. The front desk staff are discourteous and behave like barriers preventing patient access to doctors. They've hastily implemented a triage system without proper evaluation, making it extremely challenging to receive medical attention. It's clear why the NHS is deteriorating; emergency services will inevitably be overwhelmed because patients cannot obtain timely GP care before health issues escalate. When I sought a routine hypertension medication renewal, the physicians delayed signing the prescription for days. The current service is substandard, and patients will ultimately bear the consequences of this ineffective approach.

Gentle Blood Draw with Lubna Sharif

During my recent visits to this medical practice, Dr. Lubna Sharif has consistently impressed me with her exceptional bedside manner. She is consistently courteous, warm, and highly skilled in her work. What truly sets her apart is her remarkable ability to draw blood without causing any discomfort or leaving bruises - something I've struggled with in previous experiences. Her gentle technique and professional approach make her stand out, and I would absolutely recommend her to anyone seeking a compassionate healthcare professional who takes genuine care in patient comfort.

Melissa's Caring Help with My Son's Skin Condition

I want to express my sincere gratitude to Melissa for her exceptional service and dedication. She quickly processed a referral for my son and proactively followed up on additional appointments to ensure he received proper care. Her consistent communication kept me fully informed throughout the process. After struggling with my son's persistent skin condition and enduring numerous inconclusive medical consultations, we finally feel like we're making meaningful progress. It's rare for me to write a positive review, but Melissa went to extraordinary lengths to ensure my son would be seen by the most appropriate medical professionals, and she approached every task with genuine commitment. Her efforts were truly remarkable, and she is an outstanding representative of Northwood/Alvechurch. Thank you again for your incredible help.

Quick and Painless Blood Draw with Lubna

I visited this facility yesterday evening for a blood draw, and I have absolutely no complaints. The wait time was minimal, and Lubna, who assisted me, was incredibly friendly and competent. Impressively, she successfully collected my blood sample on the first attempt, which is quite rare for me 👍👍👍

Swollen Finger, Zero Care at This Surgery

If I could award fewer stars, I would. The management needs a complete overhaul, starting with hiring staff who actually show empathy. I just signed up today and already encountered a terrible situation. My finger is severely swollen, intensely painful, and fluctuating between hot and warm temperatures, yet neither the doctor nor the receptionist demonstrated any concern. They are utterly devoid of compassion, completely indifferent. Instead of offering any genuine assistance, she couldn't be bothered to even check availability for an appointment this week. Her response was dismissive: a curt "we have no appointments today" followed by telling me to call 111 or visit a pharmacy. Her behavior was unprofessional and incredibly lazy. Where are the regulatory bodies responsible for monitoring such services? I'm absolutely stunned that this medical practice continues to operate given the abysmal quality of care. AVOID REGISTERING HERE AT ALL COSTS. I'm terminating my registration immediately.

Dismissive Physio Ignored My Surgery History

The receptionist was incredibly discourteous, constantly coughing and sniffling without proper infection control protocols. Initially, she completely ignored my presence, chatting with colleagues and only engaging with other patients. She failed to inform me about the physiotherapist's delay but readily shared information with another patient. Her behavior was utterly unprofessional, even complaining about a patient on the phone. The physiotherapy session was equally disappointing. I detailed my surgical history and current condition, but the therapist barely acknowledged me. Instead of conducting a proper examination, she simply sat at her computer, printing out generic exercises. I felt completely disregarded; it was clear she wasn't listening to my concerns. While she did arrange an x-ray referral, I've decided to return to my previous practice, where I know I'll receive attentive care. Overall, this was a subpar experience. While customer service training might help, my background in Health and Social Care has taught me that not everyone is receptive to professional development and improvement.

Confusing physio appointment left me frustrated

The physiotherapist displayed a complete lack of professionalism. Communication was incredibly challenging from the start, as the practitioner spoke at an incredibly rapid pace with limited English proficiency. Being partially deaf, I had to request that she face me while speaking, but she continued to ramble while fixating on her computer screen. No physical examination was conducted, and I could only discern fragmented phrases about tennis balls and paralysis. Beyond those incomprehensible snippets, I was utterly lost throughout the entire consultation. This appointment was an absolute waste of my time and, more broadly, a misuse of UK taxpayer funds.

Sepsis Nightmare at This Uncaring Practice

The medical practice essentially abandoned me, leading to a life-threatening sepsis situation. Neither the physician, receptionist, nor practice manager demonstrated any semblance of professional responsibility or compassion. They clearly play favorites, catering to select patients while completely disregarding others. I was forced to give a single star for this review, and honestly, they don't even deserve that. My disgust with their conduct is profound. While the doctors themselves aren't the core issue, the practice manager is utterly incompetent and some reception staff behave as if they're somehow more important than medical professionals. Leaving this practice was unquestionably the best decision I could have made, given their toxic and unprofessional environment. The staff's attitude is nothing short of repulsive.

Scheduling Needs Improvement at This Clinic

As someone seeking medical care, I firmly believe in the importance of clear, open dialogue during these pivotal healthcare moments. Recognizing that unexpected situations can emerge, I emphasize the need for medical professionals to keep patients fully informed and provide comprehensive support throughout their treatment journey. I respectfully urge you to evaluate and improve your appointment coordination procedures to avoid similar issues moving forward. Furthermore, I would value receiving confirmation that other patients will be spared from experiencing comparable communication breakdowns and logistical disruptions when utilizing your healthcare services.

Saturday Hours Are Totally Misleading

The online listing claimed they operate on Saturdays, but when I arrived, the establishment was shut. From what I've gathered, this isn't an isolated incident for other customers as well.