Patient feedback reveals a practice facing significant challenges with appointment access and reception experience, though care quality when accessed remains a strength. The most persistent complaint centres on booking difficulties, with patients reporting extended phone queues, frequent call disconnections, long waiting periods for appointments, and inadequate online booking systems. Reception staff conduct varies considerably, with some patients experiencing dismissive or unprofessional behaviour, whilst others report courteous interactions. Communication issues extend beyond initial booking, including problems with prescription processing and appointment cancellations without notice.
When patients reach clinical staff, experiences are notably more positive. Medical professionals are frequently described as attentive, thorough, and responsive to urgent needs, with several patients expressing gratitude for compassionate care and effective treatment. Nursing and allied health staff similarly receive praise for their professionalism and skill. This disparity suggests the practice delivers quality clinical care but struggles with operational systems and front-facing service delivery.
The feedback indicates systemic organisational challenges that require attention to appointment booking infrastructure, reception staff training and support, and communication processes. Patients acknowledge broader NHS pressures but emphasise that fundamental service improvements in these areas would significantly enhance their experience and confidence in the practice.
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Patient feedback reveals a practice facing significant challenges with appointment access and reception experience, though care quality when accessed remains a strength. The most persistent complaint centres on booking difficulties, with patients reporting extended phone queues, frequent call disconnections, long waiting periods for appointments, and inadequate online booking systems. Reception staff conduct varies considerably, with some patients experiencing dismissive or unprofessional behaviour, whilst others report courteous interactions. Communication issues extend beyond initial booking, including problems with prescription processing and appointment cancellations without notice.
When patients reach clinical staff, experiences are notably more positive. Medical professionals are frequently described as attentive, thorough, and responsive to urgent needs, with several patients expressing gratitude for compassionate care and effective treatment. Nursing and allied health staff similarly receive praise for their professionalism and skill. This disparity suggests the practice delivers quality clinical care but struggles with operational systems and front-facing service delivery.
The feedback indicates systemic organisational challenges that require attention to appointment booking infrastructure, reception staff training and support, and communication processes. Patients acknowledge broader NHS pressures but emphasise that fundamental service improvements in these areas would significantly enhance their experience and confidence in the practice.
Appointment
Reception
Cleanliness
Care
Respect
Seen on time
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Tom T.
2 years ago
Poor!
Frustrating medical communication with friendly staff
I asked for a letter and was informed I'd receive a call before noon. No call came. When I phoned at 4 PM to inquire about the promised call, I discovered the doctor had rejected the letter. Great communication, right? At least the receptionist was pleasant during our interaction.
Anonymouse 2 years ago
Bad!
Appointment
BadReception
BadCleanliness
PoorCare
BadRespect
BadSeen On Time
BadHorrible experience
My most horrific experience was with my previous doctor at Porter Brook Medical Center, a dreadful ordeal marked by indifference, offensive behavior, and severe physical issues endured for a year. It was appalling, as they were never accessible, and their misdiagnoses caused irreparable harm. However, my new GP is excellent. They're very ethical and professional, responding promptly to messages. They're highly responsible and fantastic. My experience is incomparable to the previous one, and I'm sorry I endured such agony due to unawareness for a year at the previous location.
Sophie B.
2 years ago
Average!
Mixed experiences with this medical practice
During my two-year tenure as a patient at this practice, my experiences have been remarkably varied. I've attended two appointments - a smear test and a GP consultation - both of which were satisfactory. Telephone interactions with reception have consistently felt awkward, which seems typical nowadays. However, during my last call, the receptionist was shockingly aggressive in a way that left me completely bewildered. I actually had to point out to her that her unexpected hostility was perplexing. Since that incident, I've been too anxious to phone again. As an administrative team leader in the public sector, I would immediately address such behavior by checking on my colleague's wellbeing and arranging appropriate training. I suspect the practice might benefit from investing in technology and administrative staff support to enhance patient experience and workplace conditions, though I'm uncertain of their financial constraints. Today, when I visited in person to schedule an appointment, the receptionist was both efficient and courteous. While the earliest available slot is a month away, that's hardly surprising given thirteen years of Conservative government. I plan to update this review before relocating next year.
Fahran G.
2 years ago
Bad!
Terrible service from porter brook medical centre
I've been a patient at PB for two decades, and their decline has been nothing short of astonishing. This week, I've finally decided to switch to a new medical centre due to their increasingly poor service. Their initial sign-up process was seamless, which only highlights how outdated they've become. - Booking an appointment is an exercise in frustration - Last week, I was told to wait 2.5 weeks for a phone consultation about an urgent issue that requires in-person care, which then stretched to a 2-month wait for a face-to-face appointment - Attempting to schedule care for my 7-year-old was a nightmare. They mistakenly contacted my wife, which I could overlook. But the subsequent 4-week wait was unacceptable. Only after threatening a formal complaint did I secure an appointment within 5 days - Their online booking system was a fleeting, ineffective attempt to manage overwhelming phone demand - The online callback system has failed me three consecutive times - Their phone system is abysmal, often with communication issues requiring callback (if they even bother) - The quality of care is questionable. My physiotherapy appointments were disappointingly brief - a 10-minute session involving basic movement checks that provided zero meaningful insight. Six months later, I'm no closer to understanding my condition I cannot overstate my disappointment with Porter Brook medical centre. While acknowledging NHS challenges, their incompetence is inexcusable. I'm relieved to have left and would strongly advise others to seek care elsewhere.
Lara M.
2 years ago
Excellent!
Surprisingly awesome medical experience exceeded expectations
I was initially apprehensive about my visit due to some online feedback, but my worries were unfounded. The personnel were welcoming, the process was efficient, and the nurse put me completely at ease during my appointment.
Gem B.
2 years ago
Bad!
Terrible service left me frustrated and ignored
Treated like I was invisible at reception, they couldn't be bothered to even acknowledge me or ask who I was! The staff were incredibly cold and unwelcoming. To make matters worse, I'm now unable to schedule appointments because they haven't provided me with online login credentials. I have a concerning health issue that needs attention, but they appeared completely indifferent to my situation and made no effort to assist me.
Raja S.
2 years ago
Excellent!
Patience pays off with excellent medical care
Indeed, scheduling the initial appointment was time-consuming and took around 20 minutes, but once that was resolved, I'm quite satisfied with the overall experience. I brought my daughter in for a medical consultation, and I found both the reception staff and the general practitioner to be courteous and professional.
Philip E.
2 years ago
Excellent!
Outstanding healthcare despite nhs funding challenges
I cannot emphasize enough how highly I endorse this medical practice! Throughout the fifteen years I've been their patient, I've consistently received top-notch care. While scheduling an appointment has become more challenging in recent years due to longer wait times, I recognize this stems from staff shortages and systemic healthcare funding constraints. In the last twelve months, I've required multiple medical consultations and a minor surgical procedure, all of which were executed precisely as scheduled and delivered with exceptional quality. My only critique relates to the broader issue of persistent underfunding affecting the entire National Health Service.
Alyssa W.
2 years ago
Bad!
Terrible service and endless phone wait nightmare
Impossible to secure an in-person consultation, wasted an entire hour on hold starting at 8:30am, only to be informed that all time slots were completely booked. Absolutely absurd service.
Julie E.
2 years ago
Excellent!
Dedicated healthcare despite staffing challenges worth waiting for
Despite longer wait times for staff over the recent five years due to personnel shortages, the quality of care and treatment I receive remains exceptional. Whenever I've needed urgent attention, they've always been quick to see me. Having been a patient at this practice for three and a half decades, I am incredibly grateful for their consistent service.
Carina G.
2 years ago
Bad!
Dangerous medical negligence left me traumatized and betrayed
I would rate this zero stars if possible! STEER CLEAR! This medical procedure is an absolute farce. I'm currently anticipating surgery because a physician improperly positioned my coil, causing a uterine perforation and causing it to become lodged in my abdomen. Both my general practitioner and the hospital repeatedly failed to communicate effectively, and it has taken a quarter of a year to secure a surgical date for removal. No healthcare professional took my complaints seriously when I insisted I was experiencing severe pain and knew something was fundamentally wrong. I've received random text messages and had appointments arbitrarily rescheduled or cancelled, and they couldn't even handle a simple surname modification request correctly. I'm utterly exhausted and devastated by the treatment I've received, and I genuinely cannot wait to terminate my relationship with this medical practice.
Georgia A.
2 years ago
Bad!
Terrible service and rushed consultations at gp
This general practice, which was once reliable back in 2010, has deteriorated to an unacceptable standard. Securing an appointment is incredibly challenging, and if you manage to get one, you'll be allocated a mere 5-minute consultation that is completely insufficient for proper medical assessment. Despite repeatedly explaining my serious health symptoms to this GP, I was consistently dismissed with a generic "viral" diagnosis. As my condition progressively worsened, I ultimately uncovered the underlying issue through extensive phone consultations with the 111 service and the A&E department. Regrettably, this medical practice is so substandard that it genuinely deserves to be closed down.
Samantha T.
2 years ago
Poor!
Disappointing service and poor communication skills
I was scheduled for an in-person consultation at Porter Brook, and they sent me a text message just an hour prior to cancel, instead of calling me directly. They informed me that my appointment had been relocated to Sheffield Hallam medical practice, which isn't suitable for me as I'm not a student. They suggested a telephone consultation, but this doesn't align with my work schedule. While the medical staff have previously provided excellent face-to-face care during past visits, I've now decided to discontinue my registration with this practice. Moving forward, they should prioritize offering more in-person appointments. As a result, I'm now forced to seek medical assistance through the out-of-hours GP service via 111.
M J.
2 years ago
Bad!
Worst healthcare experience in 16 years
I've been a patient at PBMC for 16 years, and the quality of care has drastically declined in the past 3 years. They've completely eliminated in-person consultations and made telephone appointments nearly impossible to schedule. The front desk area lacks any semblance of privacy during conversations, and the staff seems devoid of compassion towards patients' health concerns. What was once an exceptional medical center has now become a frustrating experience. I'm truly disappointed.
Kng_ D.
2 years ago
Bad!
Terrible customer service and no support
This product is completely useless. I tried to get help or information, but no one responded to my inquiries. The customer service is terrible, and I'm extremely frustrated with my experience.
Howdens H.
2 years ago
Bad!
Terrible gp practice with zero customer service skills
I was a patient at this medical practice during my time in Sheffield, and I'm relieved I've relocated. The responses from Tracey, the operations manager, are utterly ridiculous. Tracey, these reviews are highlighting the poor patient experiences, with the primary complaint being the absurdly complicated phone-based appointment booking process. As the operations manager, implementing a straightforward online booking system seems like basic common sense. Such a solution would significantly reduce patient frustration and alleviate staff stress. This isn't a complex technological challenge. Your standard response to negative feedback claims these reviews aren't constructive because they don't suggest improvements. That's completely backwards—identifying problems is precisely what these reviews are doing. Finding solutions is literally your responsibility as operations manager.
Norva V.
2 years ago
Bad!
Terrible service with zero compassion for patients
I desperately wish I could assign a rating of zero or even negative five due to their unprofessional approach and complete lack of compassion. It seems more practical to simply avoid seeking assistance from this place. Disappointingly, there's a clear disregard for patient welfare; one must inevitably endure interminable phone wait times just to potentially connect with someone at this facility. I've discovered that consulting 111 or visiting a walk-in center proves far more productive. It's truly disheartening that an organization tasked with caring for people operates with such indifference. My encounters here have been consistently frustrating, and during my most recent visit, I was summarily dismissed over a minor timing technicality. Today, confronting an urgent situation, I predictably waited an hour for any semblance of a response, yet ultimately received nothing. My deepest condolences for your dysfunctional system... my deepest condolences for your dysfunctional system.
A Z.
2 years ago
Great!
Great service despite busy medical practice
The negative feedback seems overblown. Booking appointments online is incredibly straightforward and streamlined. Although the clinic is quite bustling, the personnel consistently demonstrate a friendly and supportive demeanor. Having been a patient here for three years, I have absolutely no grounds for criticism.
Elle B.
2 years ago
Bad!
Terrible customer service and impossible to book
Scheduling an appointment at this place is incredibly challenging. I consistently attempt to call, but end up being disconnected before even reaching the front desk. There have been instances where I've been stuck in a phone queue with 12 other callers, only to be abruptly cut off after a lengthy wait.
Happy H.
2 years ago
Bad!
Terrible care and unprofessional medical treatment
It is distressing to report that this medical facility suffers from numerous shortcomings and a lack of professional standards, encompassing both staff and certain physicians. My experience began years ago with a cyst on my back shoulder of considerable size. Upon consulting the designated Doctor for removal, I was dismissively turned away, seemingly without genuine interest. Months later, when the cyst became infected, I revisited the same Doctor after completing an antibiotic course, only to be again brushed aside and denied a hospital referral. Ultimately, a walk-in centre immediately recognized it as an abscess and expedited an emergency surgical procedure. Post-operative dressing changes were far more compassionate at the walk-in centre compared to Porter brook. The senior Nurse inexplicably berated me and prematurely declared the surgical wound healed, which was incorrect. By requesting less frequent visits, the wound subsequently became infected. I subsequently encountered urological complications, experiencing significant pain and discomfort. Once more, my concerns were minimized and shuttled between departments, compelling me to seek private medical intervention to receive proper attention. Another medical issue arose where I was merely prescribed painkillers. Again, private consultation provided a proper diagnosis, leading to corrective surgery. While not all medical personnel are problematic - some doctors and nurses are genuinely excellent - the quality of care seems inconsistent and dependent on chance. Patients seeking surgical support frequently find the assistance inadequate. Obtaining even basic medical services can become overwhelmingly stressful. I acknowledge my own imperfections, occasionally being anxious and apprehensive. However, multiple significant medical events occurred in rapid succession. I sincerely hope the practice will address these systemic deficiencies. The apparent over-commitment to patient volume clearly compromises the quality of care provided.