Priors Field Surgery

Waiting times have improved noticeably

I have to be honest, I have been a patient at this practice since 2004 and over the last year or so they have become significantly more efficient and their appointment scheduling has improved considerably! I also regularly order medication and they are excellent at getting prescriptions authorised and sent to the pharmacy much more quickly than before!

Receptionists made booking appointments straightforward

I have only been with this practice for a few months and I must say the clinical team are excellent. The front desk staff are incredibly supportive, and on the two occasions I have required appointments, the entire experience has been outstanding. I am very grateful to everyone involved.

Reception staff helpful and doctors take their time

Since the practice changed management, I can only offer positive feedback. My child who has additional needs and naturally finds appointments challenging has been seen by staff who have been consistently supportive and compassionate. They allow sufficient time for consultations and avoid rushing, which helps create a more comfortable experience. The reception team are also excellent and go out of their way to assist with any queries or concerns.

Helpful staff made the difference

I've had nothing but positive experiences at this practice over the past few months. The clinical staff and reception team have all been helpful and efficient. It appears the practice may be operating under new management.

Getting appointments here takes some patience

The clinical staff members are genuinely pleasant and approachable. The reception team are generally welcoming, though a few can come across as a bit curt. The overall care provided is of good quality, though booking an appointment in a timely manner can prove challenging. I remain satisfied with the practice and my family members will continue to attend as well.

Staff were helpful and service improved this year

There has been a significant improvement in the service this year. The team members are pleasant and professional. The online appointment system works well.

Practice pushes private vaccines over NHS options

I had concerns about my experience when requesting a specific travel vaccine for an upcoming trip. I was initially directed to obtain the vaccine through a private pharmacy, but when I referenced NHS guidance indicating the vaccine should be available through the NHS, the practice reconsidered their position. I felt disappointed by what appeared to be an attempt to redirect patients toward private options rather than providing services available through the NHS.

Wrong appointment type booked, results not properly reviewed

I am extremely dissatisfied with my experience at this practice. I was scheduled with a clinician who did not appear engaged with my appointment. During the consultation, outdated blood test results were reviewed instead of my most recent ones, despite my repeated clarification that these were from several months prior. I was able to verify this through my patient portal. When I requested further investigation into my ongoing symptoms, I was told I would need to book another appointment for the results to be explained to me. The clinician's closing remark suggested reluctant agreement to see me again if my symptoms persisted. I feel frustrated and unsupported. The lack of help is concerning, and I am considering seeking private care as an alternative. There is also a broader issue with how test results are communicated. I typically discover my results through the patient app rather than receiving direct notification from the practice. When I follow up to obtain copies, I am asked to attend an appointment for explanation, which requires taking time off work. This process feels inefficient and burdensome. Additionally, a diagnosis was added to my medical record without any discussion or explanation from clinical staff. While I believe the diagnosis may be relevant to my symptoms, I received no guidance on management or prevention strategies. I would have appreciated direct communication about this rather than discovering it passively.

Reception team's inconsistent approach to patient care

The clinical staff members are very pleasant, however I found the front desk team to be somewhat curt in their manner. The reception area doors remain unlocked during the lunch period, yet visitors who enter because the doors are open are informed that staff are unavailable. This seems inconsistent – if staff are taking a break and prefer not to engage with visitors, securing the doors would be more appropriate. I had a question regarding my medication, but was asked to return after my scheduled appointment, despite there being other patients still awaiting their consultations and no one queuing ahead of me. The matter could have been resolved in a few minutes, though it appeared the team were not yet fully prepared to commence their duties, as I observed them still completing their setup procedures in front of me. This approach felt somewhat unprofessional.

Couldn't get through on the phone

I struggled to reach the surgery as the line was constantly engaged, and when I finally managed to connect, I was kept waiting for an extended period before the call disconnected. This was frustrating, and I felt that management did not demonstrate concern about the situation.

Quick response through the online service

I recently used the online query service that has recently been introduced at the practice. The system is straightforward to use, and I appreciated not having to spend time waiting on the telephone. For my situation, it proved to be quite efficient. Although my concern was not urgent, it was causing me some worry. I received a telephone response within an hour and was able to see a clinician in person the same day. Thank you.

Impossible to book appointments here

I can only give this one star because a lower rating is not available. The experience was extremely disappointing. Obtaining an appointment proved very difficult, and there were inconsistent communications from both clinical and administrative staff. This reflects broader concerns about the strain on emergency departments, as the standard of primary care provision appears inadequate.

Helpful staff despite long appointment waits

I've had considerable interaction with the practice over the last few months. The front desk staff have consistently demonstrated politeness and helpfulness, though there's always room for a bit more warmth in their demeanor. The clinician I saw proved to be attentive and communicative, addressing my concerns effectively. While appointment availability can involve some waiting time, this appears to be a common issue across many surgeries rather than something specific to this one, and the delays I've experienced have been relatively reasonable compared to what others have reported elsewhere.

Reception staff made booking an appointment impossible

A very disappointing experience overall. The front desk team were unhelpful, and the clinical staff fell short of expectations. Following a recent hospital discharge from abroad, I returned to the UK and attempted to arrange an appointment to discuss my health and obtain necessary medication. Unfortunately, this proved extremely difficult, with the earliest available slot being several weeks away. I attended the emergency department on two separate occasions within days of each other, requiring ambulance transport both times, yet still have not been able to secure a GP consultation. This situation has been deeply frustrating. I am experiencing significant discomfort without receiving the medical support I need. The whole process has been disappointing and concerning.

Struggling to book appointments consistently

I previously had a very positive experience at this practice. However, my recent visits have been frustrating due to difficulty securing appointments and having scheduled slots cancelled. While I recognise the team are doing their best, it appears the practice would benefit from restructuring its systems and expanding its workforce.

Filthy waiting room and rude reception staff

I would recommend considering alternative surgeries in the area. My experience with this practice has been consistently disappointing. Obtaining appointments has proven very difficult, and the physical condition of the waiting area left much to be desired. The reception staff interactions were not pleasant. Overall, the standard of service did not meet my expectations. After a long period as a patient, I decided to transfer my care elsewhere.

Struggling to get appointments and reach reception

I'm puzzled by what's changed at this practice, as it was previously excellent. Unfortunately, the situation has deteriorated significantly. Securing an appointment has become difficult, and phone lines are frequently unresponsive. Staff indicate they will return calls, but this rarely materialises. The atmosphere in the waiting area feels unwelcoming and impersonal, which mirrors the overall quality of care experienced. 😞

Impossible to book an appointment here

It is extremely difficult to obtain an appointment at this practice. When contacting them, the standard response tends to be a referral to alternative services, even after waiting in a queue. This has become the poorest experience I have had with a medical practice. The service quality appears to have declined significantly following recent changes in management.

Receptionists used to be helpful, now can't reach doctors

Have been registered with this surgery for 22 years, and it used to be excellent. The entire team was welcoming and supportive, with the reception staff being particularly helpful. The situation now feels quite different. I find it difficult to form an impression of the clinical staff as access to them is limited, and when appointments do occur, they tend to be conducted remotely. I experienced difficulty arranging a phone appointment for a medication review and exhausted my supply before the appointment could take place. When the review finally happened, the person conducting it appeared unfamiliar with the reasons for my current medications, resulting in what felt like a routine administrative process. There was no meaningful discussion about whether my medications remained necessary for my ongoing care.

Long waits and poor communication throughout

The service has been disappointing for quite some time now.