Patient Experience Summary

Feedback reveals a deeply polarised patient experience, with appointment access and reception courtesy emerging as the most significant service challenges. Patients consistently report extended waiting times to reach the practice by phone, difficulty securing appointment slots, and reception staff displaying discourteous or dismissive behaviour during interactions. Communication barriers are widespread, with some patients unable to reach the practice despite multiple attempts, whilst others describe phone queues reaching capacity within minutes of opening. In stark contrast, clinical care receives consistent praise from those who successfully access appointments, with medical staff described as compassionate, attentive, and professional.

Several patients note that once past the booking stage, consultations with doctors and nurses are thorough and supportive. The disparity between reception experience and clinical quality is particularly notable, with some reviews explicitly acknowledging excellent medical care undermined by poor front-desk interactions. A minority of patients report positive booking experiences and welcoming reception staff, suggesting service quality varies considerably depending on when and how contact is made. Organisational capacity appears strained, with patients identifying understaffing and system limitations as underlying causes of access difficulties.

Appointment

18.34 %
Bad

Reception

28.90 %
Bad

Cleanliness

35.50 %
Poor

Care

45.67 %
Poor

Respect

26.78 %
Bad

Seen on time

31.23 %
Bad

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DR

David R. Google 4 years ago

Rating

Poor!

Terrible healthcare experience with impossible booking system

Impossible to reach them by phone, and on the rare occasion you do, all available slots have vanished. No option to book in person, and they're juggling over 16,000 patients for a single surgical procedure. Their customer service is abysmal, and I see no indication of improvement on the horizon.

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SJ

Shane J. Google 4 years ago

Rating

Bad!

Terrible healthcare nightmare at local medical practice

This GP surgery is undoubtedly the most subpar medical practice in the entire United Kingdom. The reception team displays a complete lack of empathy and concern. Securing an appointment is practically unattainable. When you somehow manage to get one, the consultation is hurried, leaving you without adequate medical attention. In my experience, I'm constantly instructed to telephone, but their lines remain perpetually unanswered. It's absolutely shameful. It's no surprise that Broomfield's Accident and Emergency department is overwhelmed. Patients are left with no alternative, as this general practice refuses to provide proper care.

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BP

Blai P. Google 4 years ago

Rating

Bad!

Frustrating booking process with endless waiting times

Scheduling an appointment has become a nightmare, with wait times stretching to 30-40 minutes. Even after getting through, you're subjected to a phone screening with no set timeframe, making it incredibly challenging to manage around work commitments. If you happen to miss their call, you're essentially out of luck until the following day. Thoroughly frustrated

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RC

Rebecca C. Google 4 years ago

Rating

Bad!

Worst medical office experience ever disappointing

I scheduled a medical consultation, but the clinic unilaterally changed the appointment time without consulting my availability. When I contacted them to explain my scheduling conflict, they abruptly terminated my appointment entirely. They informed me that due to the doctor's retirement, I would never be able to receive the necessary medical procedure, with no alternative solutions offered. The entire experience was completely unacceptable and demonstrated an appalling lack of patient care and professionalism.

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JS

James S. Google 4 years ago

Rating

Bad!

Terrible customer service from unresponsive medical practice

I wasted nearly half an hour attempting to schedule an appointment via telephone, and despite the clinic's official closing time being 6 PM, they deliberately ignored my call with ample time remaining. After waiting fruitlessly for thirty minutes, I discovered they had essentially shut down and departed without addressing my needs. I am now preparing to file an official grievance regarding their unprofessional conduct.

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CM

Cockney M. Google 4 years ago

Rating

Bad!

Terrible service hurting vulnerable mental health patients

The receptionist displays an appalling lack of compassion and professionalism, rendering them entirely unsuitable for a role in healthcare. It's nothing short of miraculous that vulnerable patients struggling with mental health challenges haven't been pushed to desperate measures after enduring such callous treatment.

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UF

Uteen F. Google 4 years ago

Rating

Bad!

Unhelpful and rude gp practice receptionist nightmare

The front desk staff displayed a complete lack of professionalism! As an NHS employee, I'm well aware of the standard practice of introducing oneself by first name, so why do GP practice receptionists consistently avoid this basic courtesy? It seems they might be deliberately hiding their identities, perhaps anticipating potential complaints due to their consistently abrasive behavior. When these receptionists encounter a request they'd rather not address or simply can't be bothered to assist, their immediate response is to terminate the call! The entire situation is utterly unacceptable and shameful.

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JS

Josh S. Google 4 years ago

Rating

Bad!

Terrible medical practice with zero patient support

Absolutely dreadful experience with this medical practice's customer support. Throughout the entire previous week, my attempts to schedule an appointment were met with complete indifference and unhelpful responses, consistently being told no slots were available. This morning, I endured a frustrating 45-minute wait on hold, only to be confronted by a dismissive receptionist who abruptly ended the call without providing any meaningful assistance.

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DG

Daniel G. Google 5 years ago

Rating

Bad!

Booking nightmare at this impossible medical practice

Scheduling a consultation at this place is more challenging than securing entry to a sold-out music festival. Completely ridiculous.

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CC

Cjsnowdon C. Google 5 years ago

Rating

Bad!

Rude receptionist ruins otherwise great medical experience

The medical staff at this facility were consistently professional and caring However, the front desk employee clearly exhibits a superiority complex Her demeanor is toxic, radiating obvious resentment at having to interact with patients When I inquired about assistance, she bluntly refused I'm certain she'd suddenly become motivated if something personally benefited her from Rivermead, her workplace. Without question, personal gain would be the only catalyst for her to show genuine effort or interest Absolutely appalling

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AB

Alin B. Google 5 years ago

Rating

Bad!

Worst medical service ever absolute nightmare

If I could assign a zero rating, I'd do it in a heartbeat. Wasting 40 minutes standing in line just to be told there are no available appointments today and to call back tomorrow - and this has happened three days straight! It's becoming an absolute farce attempting to secure a medical consultation.

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PA

Polly A. Google 5 years ago

Rating

Bad!

Terrible service and impossible to book appointments

I've been a patient at this medical practice for nearly 12 months, and consistently encountering communication barriers. The front desk staff display a lack of helpfulness and seem unwilling to provide alternative solutions when a physician isn't accessible. During one morning, I made multiple calls - around 10 attempts - yet failed to connect with anyone who could assist me in scheduling an appointment, despite my doctor previously recommending a follow-up consultation. It's evident that the surgery is overwhelmed by their patient load and urgently needs to reassess their administrative capacity and patient management strategies.

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JB

James B. Google 5 years ago

Rating

Bad!

Unhelpful staff leaves patient frustrated and suffering

Absolutely appalling service from the front desk staff. After enduring a grueling 45-minute wait, I was met with complete indifference when I tried to explain my discomfort. The receptionist dismissively suggested I call back the next morning, showing zero compassion. It's unbelievable that at a medical practice supposedly dedicated to patient care, this is the kind of treatment you receive. What an absolute mockery of healthcare!

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AM

Alessandro M. Google 5 years ago

Rating

Bad!

Worst customer service experience ever encountered

I would suggest this experience serves as a prime example of abysmal customer service. Truly, the situation is so dire that I've been completely unable to schedule an appointment over the past five months. Congratulations, it takes a special kind of incompetence to achieve this level of dysfunction!

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MI

Maryam I. Google 5 years ago

Rating

Bad!

Caring staff marred by unfriendly front desk

Medical staff, including physicians and nursing personnel, consistently demonstrate kindness and support (assuming you manage to secure an appointment), yet the front desk staff's discourteous behavior tarnishes the overall experience (with a few commendable individuals being the notable exceptions).

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NZ

Nick Z. Google 5 years ago

Rating

Bad!

Terrible healthcare experience avoid this practice

Extremely subpar customer service. Constantly making excuses about being overwhelmed. The sole healthcare professional available is a nurse practitioner who comes across as discourteous and unhelpful, and lacks the competence to address your medical concerns. My recommendation is to seek out an alternative medical practice.

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RS

Rosaliyo S. Google 5 years ago

Rating

Bad!

Frustrating medical practice with terrible patient experience

I regret to say that this medical practice is absolutely terrible. Securing a consultation here is an exercise in pure frustration; it's incredibly challenging. After waiting on hold for an interminable amount of time, I was ultimately connected with a medical student who appeared completely clueless about my concerns. Attempting to schedule an appointment at this facility is nothing short of a complete ordeal.

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SM

Simon M. Google 5 years ago

Rating

Bad!

Worst healthcare experience ever terrible wait times

Scheduling a medical consultation has been impossible. The clinic's responsiveness is completely unacceptable.

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AM

Amanda M. Google 5 years ago

Rating

Excellent!

Compassionate care from a wonderful medical team

Dr Asghar, along with nurses Jo and Janet, have consistently demonstrated exceptional care for my mother throughout the years. Whenever I communicate with them regarding my mum's health, they have been incredibly supportive and compassionate. The entire staff, including the welcoming receptionists, have been understanding and accommodating, which we deeply value during my mother's medical needs.

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CC

Chris C. Google 5 years ago

Rating

Excellent!

Fantastic medical center with friendly and helpful staff

Throughout my four-and-a-half-year journey with Rivermead Gate Medical Centre, I've consistently been impressed by the entire team, regardless of their role. While securing a phone connection during morning hours can be challenging, persistence typically leads to success in reaching the staff.

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About the GP

  • Accepts all feedback, both positive and negative.

Contact Information

  • 01245 348688
  • Rivermead Gate Med.Ctr. 123 Rectory Road Chelmsford Essex CM1 1TR

Patient Experience Summary

Feedback reveals a deeply polarised patient experience, with appointment access and reception courtesy emerging as the most significant service challenges. Patients consistently report extended waiting times to reach the practice by phone, difficulty securing appointment slots, and reception staff displaying discourteous or dismissive behaviour during interactions. Communication barriers are widespread, with some patients unable to reach the practice despite multiple attempts, whilst others describe phone queues reaching capacity within minutes of opening. In stark contrast, clinical care receives consistent praise from those who successfully access appointments, with medical staff described as compassionate, attentive, and professional.

Several patients note that once past the booking stage, consultations with doctors and nurses are thorough and supportive. The disparity between reception experience and clinical quality is particularly notable, with some reviews explicitly acknowledging excellent medical care undermined by poor front-desk interactions. A minority of patients report positive booking experiences and welcoming reception staff, suggesting service quality varies considerably depending on when and how contact is made. Organisational capacity appears strained, with patients identifying understaffing and system limitations as underlying causes of access difficulties.

Appointment

18.34 %
Bad

Reception

28.90 %
Bad

Cleanliness

35.50 %
Poor

Care

45.67 %
Poor

Respect

26.78 %
Bad

Seen on time

31.23 %
Bad
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