Oakwood Medical Centre

Compassionate doctor trapped in a frustrating medical system

Dr. Singleton stands out as the highlight of this medical practice, truly an exceptional physician. However, the same cannot be said for certain reception employees who come across as discourteous and ill-tempered. The difficulty in scheduling appointments for both myself and my children has been frustrating. I've lodged another complaint about the unprofessional conduct of non-medical staff and their treatment of patients. As a result, I'm relieved to be transitioning to a different surgery.

Exceptional healthcare with swift and caring service

Since joining Oakwood Medical Centre recently, I've been thoroughly delighted with their healthcare services. After submitting my registration documents, I was quickly integrated into the practice within a matter of days. When I attempted to schedule my initial consultation, I received a rapid response requesting photo documentation of my medical concern, which was swiftly followed by a direct phone call and same-day appointment. Additionally, the Pharmacist reached out with a welcoming call, carefully reviewing my medication background and thoughtfully arranging a nurse consultation for me. My interactions with the surgery have been consistently warm, responsive, and well-organized, and compared to my previous medical practice, I am genuinely impressed with their approach!

Compassionate care during my unexpected iud challenge

I encountered significant challenges with the copper IUD, but Dr. Strefford and her staff were incredibly supportive during my moment of medical distress when my blood pressure plummeted. She demonstrated remarkable compassion and attentiveness throughout the entire process. Despite the unfortunate circumstances, I am deeply appreciative of their care and professionalism!

Friendly and professional healthcare experience

Excellent healthcare facility with friendly, competent medical professionals and top-notch personnel

Exceptional healthcare that truly listens and cares

As a recent addition to this medical practice, I've been thoroughly impressed from the start. The initial medication consultation with the pharmacist and my subsequent phone conversation with Dr Strefford about my long-standing health issue have been exceptional. The reception staff are consistently courteous and supportive. Dr Strefford stands out as the most outstanding general practitioner I've ever encountered, providing clear explanations about my condition and genuinely listening to my worries regarding treatment. For the first time in over a decade of dealing with this health challenge, I feel genuinely optimistic and reassured that I'll receive the comprehensive care I require.

Terrible service from a medical centre nightmare

An absolute farce of a medical centre. If this were a business, they would have collapsed financially years ago. The receptionists (who desperately need a dose of reality and seem to believe they're medical professionals), are hands-down the most brusque and discourteous individuals I've encountered in over three decades of visiting medical practices. Whether they're constrained by inadequate resources from our incompetent government or not, it's no justification for the dismissive treatment you receive each time you (eventually) connect by phone, typically after enduring a minimum 20-minute wait. One must wonder: are genuinely that many people attempting to contact the centre simultaneously, or are the staff simply failing to perform their basic receptionist responsibilities? A couple of notable bright spots are Laura, the practice manager, whom I've had the opportunity to discuss the centre's shortcomings with, and Dr Singleton, who embodies everything you'd want in a local GP - approachable, genuine, and truly attentive to patient concerns. Examining the review breakdown, it's unsurprising that 1-star ratings dominate, representing the majority among 61 posted reviews and resulting in a dismal 2.4 out of 5 rating. So many individuals cannot be mistaken across such an extended period. Serious questions must be raised about why the reception staff - the primary interface with the public they're meant to serve - remain unchallenged, which is fundamentally unacceptable.

Dangerous antibiotics misdiagnosis puts baby at risk

This medical practice is absolutely unacceptable. My 10-month-old was prescribed antibiotics that are inappropriate for children under 2, which led to an emergency after-hours medical visit! The subsequent doctor was appalled by the initial prescription, stating that "even an adult couldn't tolerate such medication, let alone an infant"! I was furious! I attempted to lodge a complaint with the manager, but felt completely brushed off. I was promised a return call that never came, so I followed up the next day when my son was also prescribed the same dangerous antibiotics. The complaint was never properly addressed, and the doctor falsely documented that my daughter was "responding well to the medication and improving" - a complete fabrication I was never even consulted about! The antibiotics caused her to require urgent medical attention! I am absolutely changing healthcare providers and am completely disgusted by their patient care standards!!

Frustrating healthcare that sends patients to hospitals

Avoid attempting to contact this medical practice when you're sick; instead, head directly to the hospital where you'll actually receive treatment. I've experienced this with my child - they consistently advise calling them, but ultimately redirect you elsewhere. It makes you wonder what exactly our National Insurance contributions are funding.

Terrible service after 48 years of patient loyalty

I needed a medical form for a firearms license, and the practice proved utterly uncooperative. Initially, they attempted to blame me for delays and demanded additional documents, only to later realize they had possessed the paperwork for over two weeks!! Earlier this year, my medication was adjusted from 125 units to 150 units. When I questioned this change - which involved a frustratingly complex process that redirected me to a practice nurse instead of a doctor - the GP bizarrely claimed my medication should have actually decreased from 125 units to 100 units! The GP's dismissive comment was that I "must have been having a bad day"!! Lastly, when I requested a D4 driving license form, I was informed the processing would exceed three months, citing NHS priorities despite a completion fee. They suggested I seek private services but then complicated matters by requiring my GP's consent to share medical information with a private physician. I was told this authorization would take a minimum of 28 days. Fortunately, I could access my own records and directly share them with the private GP. I have been a patient at this practice for 48 years.

Swift and compassionate medical service

I'm thoroughly impressed by the Practice's exceptional service and responsiveness. When I called at 8:30 in the morning, the GP promptly returned my call by 11am, and I was able to secure an in-person consultation by noon - all within the same day. Truly outstanding.

Compassionate care through challenging pandemic times

I'm truly amazed by how satisfied my spouse and I are with this medical practice. I won't claim it's been entirely without issues, but whenever concerns have arisen, I've followed the proper procedures and found them to be addressed promptly and effectively. Both the medical staff and administrative personnel consistently demonstrate professionalism and courtesy. They've shown remarkable dedication throughout the challenging pandemic period, undoubtedly experiencing significant stress themselves. While we may not always receive exactly what we anticipate when reaching out to the clinic, this mirrors life's broader unpredictability - not every interaction can perfectly meet our initial expectations.

Confusing and unhelpful medical center experience

During my routine blood draw, the phlebotomist suggested I schedule a follow-up appointment with the nurse for my results. However, when I approached the receptionist to book this, she insisted I didn't need an appointment because of a recent thyroid test. I explained that I still needed to return a urine sample and had received a letter requesting blood work for my annual check-up. Despite my explanation, she continued to argue, claiming I had only received a text about my thyroid, not a letter about my yearly review. Her attitude was completely unprofessional, and yet they expect patients to show them respect? To make matters worse, as I walked past the consulting rooms, I noticed they were all empty - which explains why it's so difficult to actually see a doctor. The whole experience was frustrating and disheartening.

Terrible service from unprofessional and unhelpful staff

Absolutely terrible service. When you call to book an appointment, you're directed to the wrong line and immediately cut off by staff. Get your phone system fixed, hire competent employees, and make scheduling appointments possible. Tried to book an HGV medical - can't do it online, so I called. Waited 30 minutes in the queue, only to have a disinterested receptionist tell me to google local medical providers myself. Completely incompetent. These receptionists should all be fired and replaced by machines. The service quality couldn't get worse, and at least robots wouldn't be abusing their power. And let me add: the reception staff are masters of gaslighting when you question why it's so difficult to reach a GP. They'll twist everything to make you feel like the problem, deflecting all responsibility for their terrible communication and customer service.

Frustrating healthcare experience with unhelpful medical staff

Battling a chest infection, I was initially prescribed a week's worth of medication. When I sought a repeat prescription, I was offered an alternative that proved ineffective. Upon requesting antibiotics again, I was surprisingly given a nasal spray instead. Consequently, my condition deteriorated, forcing me to miss work once more. Despite the prescription being scheduled for delivery during a bank holiday, I fortunately managed to retrieve the order through the help of a secretary and went directly to the pharmacy.

Rude staff made me feel unwelcome and anxious

I encountered the most unwelcoming medical facility imaginable during my registration attempt. While waiting to submit my forms to the receptionist behind a screen, another staff member abruptly entered and aggressively confronted me about mask wearing. Upon explaining my exemption, she demanded I wear a face shield, displaying an incredibly hostile and unprofessional attitude. Completely stunned, I watched her take my forms while repeatedly warning me about future visits requiring face coverings. As someone struggling with anxiety and already uncomfortable in public settings, this confrontation was so distressing that I've been unable to leave my home since. When I attempted to discuss the incident with management, the supervisor was dismissive, essentially calling me dishonest and defending her staff's behavior without having witnessed the interaction. Her suggestion that I should find another practice if I felt mistreated was the final blow, and no apology was offered. The staff's conduct is appallingly unprofessional, and I'm astounded they remain employed in healthcare. Both individuals are an absolute embarrassment to the medical centre.

Frustrating healthcare experience with impossible appointment booking

I struggled to secure a medical consultation for my child due to the clinic's complete lack of accessibility. Contrary to claims about their queuing system, I found no clear way to schedule an appointment. Ultimately, I was compelled to seek a private medical consultation, which revealed my daughter had an ear infection. The concept of a free healthcare service becomes meaningless when patients cannot actually access it. The reliance on telephone consultations and photo submissions risks significant medical oversights and potential misdiagnoses. The private physician conducted a comprehensive physical examination tailored to my daughter's specific symptoms - something that is fundamentally impossible through virtual means.

Overwhelmed medical centre with frustrating phone system

The medical facility is overwhelmed, compelled to handle double or even triple its intended patient load. Halt the construction of new housing developments in Northwich and instead establish additional healthcare clinics in the region. What truly frustrates me is that I inadvertently missed a physician's call, and attempting to reschedule has proven to be an exercise in futility. Moreover, the phone system now fails to provide any indication of one's position in the queue. After two calls totaling 40 minutes, I remain unable to connect with a single staff member. 😳

Worst customer service nightmare at medical office

If I could award this establishment negative stars, I absolutely would. Lorraine is unquestionably the most deplorable, discourteous, and callous individual I've ever been unfortunate enough to interact with. She mockingly interrogates and smirks about my need for medication, smugly deciding it's not a medical emergency in her unprofessional opinion... Who are you to judge? You're merely a receptionist with absolutely no medical expertise - your only apparent talents are displaying horrendous interpersonal skills and a complete absence of human compassion!

Frustrating wait for basic medical care

Dr. Luty is the sole bright spot in this otherwise frustrating experience. This morning, I called regarding my 5-year-old daughter and found myself 8th in line. After an interminable wait, I was informed she would be triaged and asked to submit a photo. When I requested an in-person consultation, I was told this was impossible without first receiving a photo. I managed to send a message, but no photo upload link was provided. Now I'm back on hold, again 8th in the queue, trying to explain the missing link. It's absurd to think doctors can accurately diagnose from a mere photograph. It's painfully clear they're exploiting COVID as a convenient excuse to avoid direct patient interactions. This approach is completely unacceptable. There are no valid reasons to continue these impersonal, ineffective practices any longer.

Frustrating customer service at medical practice

Stuck in a frustrating call queue that keeps shuffling between positions, moving from 3rd to 4th, then 5th, and back again. It's become apparent that a specific receptionist's shift correlates with a noticeable decline in service quality. Their demeanor is consistently poor, characterized by a defensive stance that routinely shifts blame onto patients for staff-generated errors. I had previously completed and signed a document requiring a doctor's signature, only to receive a call claiming I hadn't signed it. Upon visiting the surgery, I discovered the form had been rewritten, and I was then criticized for not initially signing it in a way that would "prevent a return visit" - a criticism that feels entirely misplaced and unfair.