Park Parade Surgery

Reception staff took time to listen and help

I contacted the reception team by phone and found them to be extremely helpful in assisting me with my enquiries, arranging medication requests and scheduling the appointments I required. The staff member was patient and unhurried, taking the time to ensure I had everything I needed before ending the call.

Phone lines constantly unreachable and impossible to book

Spent 40 minutes in my car from 8am repeatedly attempting to reach the practice with no response. This was very frustrating. I have limited availability for appointments, with only one day off every six weeks, and finding an appointment slot proves extremely difficult. The service fell well short of expectations. Update, Made another attempt to contact the practice after waiting 10 minutes before the call disconnected. I then tried booking through the online system only to find that this option was currently unavailable and that calling was required instead. I am uncertain about the practice's current operational status. I underwent blood tests eight months ago and have received no communication regarding the results. I am planning to register with a different practice as soon as possible. The service experience has been deeply disappointing and difficult to access.

Phone receptionist left me hanging without answers

I had a disappointing experience when calling the practice. The receptionist was unhelpful during our conversation, directing me to attend a walk-in centre without providing any information about where to find one. When I attempted to engage further, I was met with silence rather than a response. Despite being courteous throughout the call, I felt my situation was not treated with any understanding or empathy. Even when I thanked them, there was no acknowledgement or farewell offered. The overall interaction felt quite unusual and left me feeling unsupported.

Phone lines constantly unanswered and unresponsive

The phone lines are consistently unavailable, and when contact is made, the responses received have been unhelpful or inconsistent. A request for medication was submitted nearly two weeks ago without resolution, leaving the patient without necessary treatment during this period. This level of service is considered unacceptable, particularly given the circumstances involved. A formal complaint to the NHS is being pursued. The significant decline in service quality compared to previous experiences is deeply frustrating and disappointing.

Friendly staff gone after practice merger

I used to recommend this GP practice to my friends who had difficulties with theirs. Following the practice restructuring, things have changed considerably. The warm, approachable reception team who would acknowledge patients by name upon arrival have been replaced. We are now required to input information via a screen in what feels like a deserted waiting area, quite different from the bustling environment it once was. I received a call advising that I needed a blood test during a particular month, but with no available appointments at the practice during that period, I was directed to attend an alternative location. Since walking presents a significant challenge for me, I enquired about parking facilities. The receptionist could only suggest that parking should be available. While I'm aware that parking at my usual location has its limitations, I can typically locate a suitable space. I expressed concern that if I travelled to the alternative surgery and couldn't find accessible parking, I would be unable to proceed. Following this conversation, appointment slots suddenly became available, and I was even offered flexibility in choosing my preferred day and time. Upon completion of my blood test, I received a message instructing me to arrange a telephone appointment with the nurse to review my results. The earliest available slot was four weeks away. This seemed excessive simply to communicate a numerical value that could have been included in the initial message. I find it disheartening to witness this transformation at what was once a vibrant, welcoming practice. While I understand the necessity of embracing modern systems, the service appears to have become impersonal, with patient care seeming to take a secondary position.

Long-term patient finds staff genuinely considerate

Have been a patient at this practice for many decades. Every member of the clinical and administrative team demonstrates genuine consideration, helpfulness and courtesy. This is an excellent practice in the local area.

Friendly receptionists make visits a pleasure

While we do miss some of the clinicians who have moved on, I believe the practice remains among the finest in the area. The clinical staff at the practice are all very pleasant, and although I'm fortunate not to need frequent visits, attending appointments is always a positive experience. The reception team have consistently demonstrated friendliness and helpfulness. There have been some recent changes, but these are necessary as services evolve with the times.

Smooth transition to a new practice

Recently switched to this practice after relocating to the area. Excellent healthcare provider, would strongly suggest to others. Grateful for the outstanding support received!

Phone system struggles and inconsistent follow-up care

This is my local GP practice, and I'm disappointed to have to lower my rating from what it was previously. Regrettably, the surgery's standards have declined, and I've decided to look into registering elsewhere. What's been the issue? The telephone system is problematic—it takes an extremely long time to connect, even when calling first thing in the morning. It appears the system struggles to manage multiple simultaneous calls. The reception team are mostly pleasant, though there is one staff member whose manner comes across as quite abrupt. They frequently interrupt conversations and don't inspire confidence when I raise questions or request particular services. If something isn't known, that's understandable, but it would be better to acknowledge that rather than guess or seek help without saying so. There's a shortage of full-time doctors. While I understand that flexible staffing arrangements help with workload management, it creates problems when only the practitioner who previously saw me can address my concerns due to practice policy, leaving no option for collaboration or continuity. This means waiting extended periods for assistance. I was informed that no clinical staff work on a full-time basis—everyone operates on a part-time or locum arrangement. Follow-up care is inconsistent. I'm regularly told issues will be handled within the week, but then there's uncertainty about next steps. Do I need to call back, or will someone contact me? Usually I'm asked to ring back the following week, and nothing has progressed. This cycle repeats week after week. It's disheartening to leave this feedback, as this practice was once excellent. I'll be transferring my registration to another local practice that has greater full-time staffing availability.

Impossible to reach by phone, staff dismissive

I have had to manage interactions with this practice on behalf of a family member, and if this were my own care, I would have sought alternative arrangements considerably earlier. Getting through by telephone proves to be quite challenging, even when calling at the earliest opportunity in the morning. The line frequently goes unanswered for extended periods. I have experienced several difficult exchanges with reception staff who can come across as abrupt and dismissive, often interrupting and making assumptions rather than listening fully. There is also concern about whether clinical staff thoroughly review patient background information, as my relative, who has significant mobility limitations, is repeatedly asked to attend appointments in person despite this being documented, and staff appear unaware of relevant medical history.

Phone queue wait times need improvement

I have always had a positive experience at this practice. The team members are friendly and the clinicians are excellent. However, the recent changes to the telephone system have created difficulties, with extended waiting times on hold during morning hours without reaching anyone, which has negatively impacted the overall service quality.

Reception staff were dismissive and disorganised

The receptionist came across as abrupt and interrupted during our conversation. Upon arriving at the scheduled appointment time, there was confusion about whether the booking had been properly registered, and no explanation or apology was offered to resolve the matter.

Felt listened to and never rushed here

This practice has been the best I've experienced. The staff are consistently friendly and supportive. Appointments never feel hurried, and I've found the clinical guidance provided to be excellent. I would strongly recommend them to others.

Reception staff made booking straightforward and easy

Always a positive experience. The clinical staff are really capable and attentive, and the reception team are friendly and helpful - particularly one member of the team who stood out!

Efficient communication about test results

Excellent medical practice located in North Tyneside. The team members are consistently courteous and supportive, and the clinical staff provide outstanding care. The practice demonstrates strong efficiency and clarity when communicating test outcomes to patients.

Receptionist wouldn't engage when asking about mask policy

The receptionist came across as somewhat unfriendly. I was asked to put on a mask after I'd forgotten to bring one, which I understood, though I noticed the receptionist and nearby colleagues weren't wearing masks themselves. They didn't seem particularly interested in engaging in conversation.

Receptionists made us feel genuinely welcome

I've visited this practice countless times over the years, managing both routine appointments and more pressing concerns as a parent of young children. The staff have consistently demonstrated helpfulness, friendliness and warmth towards us. The clinical team and reception staff have been excellent throughout. We feel fortunate to have access to this surgery and appreciate the standard of care provided. Thank you for your continued dedication.

Prescription delayed over home test policy

There was a delay in receiving a prescription due to the practice's policy of not accepting certain types of tests, citing concerns about their reliability. This resulted in frustration regarding the use of NHS resources and time.

Friendly receptionists helped me get quick appointments

This medical practice is a commendable example of NHS primary care. The front desk staff consistently demonstrate friendliness and make genuine efforts to accommodate appointment requests, with same-day availability typically offered. The clinical team shows genuine attentiveness to patient concerns. Highly recommended!

Reception staff were genuinely helpful and kind

Excellent.