Raj Medical Centre

Helpful staff made the difference

Have consistently found the service to be supportive.

Out of hours call was deeply unprofessional

I received an out of hours telephone call during which the person I spoke with became extremely abusive. This experience reflects poorly on the service standards one would expect. The behavior displayed was wholly unacceptable.

Reception staff weren't welcoming or helpful

The practice did not demonstrate attentiveness to my needs, and I found the administrative team's manner to be unwelcoming.

Friendly staff but prescription delays frustrate

I have been a patient at this surgery for over seven years and continue to find it among the best I have attended. The team members are consistently warm and welcoming. My only concern has been occasional delays with prescription availability compared to the stated timeframe, though on the whole it remains a pleasant practice to visit.

Reception dismissed concerns without offering alternatives

My spouse attended to register recently and was informed that there was an extended waiting list for new patients. When they enquired about alternative options for support with their health concerns, they were told none were available. I felt the reception staff came across as dismissive and unhelpful during this interaction. We subsequently contacted another practice who were extremely accommodating and processed the registration straightforwardly without any issues.

Inflexible appointment system despite good local surgery

The appointment systems used by GP surgeries nowadays tend to attract valid concerns. I attended for a physiotherapy appointment but hoped to have a quick word about my pain management, only to be told I would need to book a separate appointment for that. There was no room for flexibility to have a brief conversation that would have taken just a few minutes, despite already being on site. This was disappointing, though I recognise this reflects how most GP practices currently operate. Setting that aside, the surgery itself is generally very good and well-run locally. **Update** I have revised my rating down to 2 stars due to a subsequent experience. When I needed a repeat prescription, the surgery closed at 14.00 on a Thursday for staff training, with the next available opening on Friday morning. I sent an urgent message but received no response. When I called on Friday, I was assured there would be no issue and that the prescription would be sent to the pharmacy ahead of the upcoming bank holiday. However, this did not happen, and I was forced to contact an out-of-hours service for pain relief as my medication had run out. The handling of this situation felt lacking in attentiveness and consideration. The out-of-hours clinician was excellent and very helpful, but it should not have been necessary to rely on them in these circumstances.

Admin lost my forms after six weeks

The reception team are pleasant, however I have had difficulties with the administrative department. I submitted some paperwork six weeks prior, and despite being given reassurances throughout this period, I was subsequently told that the forms had not been received. I had been advised initially that the matter would be resolved within two weeks. The administrative team acknowledged that the paperwork may have been misplaced. Additionally, the practice website has been unavailable for a considerable time, which has prevented me from obtaining contact details to follow up on this matter.

Pharmacy team went the extra mile

Excellent service received at the pharmacy department recently, with the staff member going above and beyond as they typically do. Much appreciated.

Easy appointments and friendly staff here

I recently joined this practice and I'm impressed by how well it operates. The team members are approachable and respectful of your privacy, appointments are straightforward to arrange without unnecessary complications or lengthy delays, and the medication ordering system is excellent. Everything is handled in a straightforward and agreeable manner.

Receptionists who actually listen and help

This practice has been the most positive healthcare experience I've had. The front desk staff are genuinely helpful, and I consistently receive same-day appointment availability, whether I need to be seen in person or prefer a telephone consultation.

Refused to examine concerning throat issue

Brought a family member to the practice as they were experiencing symptoms related to a throat issue. The clinician indicated they were unable to provide assistance at that time. Subsequently, the family member attended hospital where a serious infection was identified and treated. I felt the initial assessment could have been more thorough and was disappointed with the level of care provided at the practice.

Appointment refused despite serious symptoms

Would not recommend this practice to anyone and would suggest staying clear. My daughter attempted to secure an appointment due to significant throat swelling that prevented her from eating or sleeping and was causing considerable pain. Upon being told no appointments were available, I brought her to the practice in person, only to be informed that nothing could be done and that we would need to contact the out-of-hours service, which operates from 6.30pm to 8am. Managing this with two children, one of whom was unwell, presented significant difficulties, particularly regarding how she could access hospital care if an appointment were offered without disrupting the children's sleep. She simply required antibiotics to address the infection. The staff appeared dismissive and disengaged, seemingly more focused on office activities than patient care. This practice should be avoided entirely. Update: My daughter required hospital admission that evening. She was found to have an abscess developing over her tonsils, and blood tests revealed she had developed severe sepsis as a result of the infection. Had the practice taken a few minutes to examine her, this situation might have been prevented. Instead, she was advised to take paracetamol and contact the service the following morning, or attend out-of-hours care, despite there being only two people waiting at the time. The practice's response was inadequate. The situation could have had far more serious consequences for my daughter's health.

Couldn't get through on the phone line

I attempted to contact the practice on numerous occasions, but the phone line was consistently unavailable. My son was experiencing a high fever, headache, facial swelling, and severe fatigue. When I visited the medical centre in person, I was informed that I needed to call instead. This experience was very frustrating.

Persistent phone lines finally got results

It's extremely difficult to reach the practice by phone. When calling after a certain time, I was informed that staff had already left for the day. The practice management team appeared to be unavailable to address concerns, according to reception staff. This was frustrating and felt inadequate. However, after being more assertive about speaking with management, I eventually managed to get my issue resolved.

Reception staff didn't return calls as promised

The reception staff at this practice have been unhelpful and unprofessional. My partner experienced delays in receiving necessary medication that lasted several days, and promised callbacks were not made. Attempts to escalate concerns to management were unsuccessful, with staff indicating the manager was unavailable. Overall, this has been a disappointing experience with the practice.

Reception staff were dismissive and unhelpful

I have had a very negative experience at this practice. The clinical staff have not met my expectations of professionalism, and I found the reception team to be unhelpful and dismissive. The clinician seemed unavailable during my visits, and management appeared to be frequently absent. Overall, I was disappointed with the standard of service and conduct displayed by the team at this location.

Unhelpful staff made me feel unwelcome

I would rate this experience much lower if possible. I submitted an official complaint but felt dismissed, and my symptoms persist leaving me unwell. When I contact the practice by phone, I am directed to attend accident and emergency. Today, my teenager underwent a blood test due to recurring symptoms and experienced what I perceived as rudeness from the staff member conducting the procedure. When questions were asked, the response given suggested unwillingness to engage, despite information being readily available on a nearby screen that could have addressed the query. I have not had a positive experience at this practice. Access to medical consultations appears limited as appointments seem prioritised elsewhere. I was advised today to consider registering with a different surgery given my dissatisfaction, though I feel the suggestion might be better directed at reception and clinical staff who could benefit from training in patient communication. The overall atmosphere at the practice suggests reluctance to engage with patients seeking care. There appears to be a disconnect between the practice's public messaging about complaint handling and the actual patient experience. I am now seeking alternative healthcare provision and would encourage others to do the same.

Friendly staff but messaging app responses are slow

The team members are approachable and welcoming. During my time as a patient, my interactions have been limited to clinical staff and front desk personnel, and both groups have consistently demonstrated friendliness. There are a couple of areas that could be improved: - The digital messaging system rarely receives responses. Given my irregular work schedule, I tend to be unavailable during standard morning hours, which I have communicated on several occasions. I have also specifically requested alternative contact methods such as text or email to accommodate my timetable. - On two separate occasions, I have been provided with contact details for services that fall outside the practice's geographical coverage area.

Receptionist wouldn't help with afternoon call

Terrible experience!!! I've been having difficulty with my sleep and struggle to wake up early enough to call for an appointment, so I rang after midday and spoke to reception who said there was basically nothing they could do unless I called before noon!! I'm not sleeping well at night and my mental health is suffering yet they couldn't help me..... really disappointed with the service!!!

Phone consultations felt dismissive and rushed

The clinical staff appeared dismissive and disengaged during my interactions. There seemed to be a preference for telephone consultations over in-person appointments, and concerns I raised were not taken seriously. When presenting with significant health worries, I felt my symptoms were minimised rather than properly investigated. One particular healthcare professional came across as condescending and lacking in empathy throughout the consultation.