Patient Experience Summary

Patient feedback reveals a mixed experience with significant operational challenges alongside clinical strengths. Appointment access emerges as the most persistent concern, with patients reporting difficulty reaching the practice by phone, long waiting times both on hold and in queues, and frustration with same-day-only booking systems that disadvantage working professionals. Reception experience is notably inconsistent, with some patients praising courteous and supportive staff while others describe dismissive, unhelpful, or discourteous interactions. Communication breakdowns are evident across multiple service areas, including appointment scheduling, follow-up care coordination, and responsiveness to patient inquiries and complaints.

In contrast, clinical care receives consistent praise. Patients describe doctors and nurses as professional, compassionate, and clinically competent, with several practitioners highlighted for their expertise and genuine care. The disparity between reception and clinical experiences is striking, with patients often acknowledging excellent medical staff while criticizing administrative barriers to accessing that care.

Key service improvements needed include enhanced phone system capacity and responsiveness, more flexible appointment booking options, better staff training in courtesy and communication, and improved coordination between reception and clinical teams. While some patients report recent improvements in wait times and the introduction of callback systems, the overall pattern suggests systemic administrative challenges that undermine confidence in the practice despite strong clinical performance.

Appointment

32.67 %
Bad

Reception

38.45 %
Poor

Cleanliness

65.00 %
Great

Care

72.18 %
Great

Respect

45.23 %
Poor

Seen on time

41.89 %
Poor

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RK

Rachael K. Google 3 years ago

Rating

Bad!

Terrible customer service and impossible to reach

Absolutely infuriating. Called precisely at 8am and encountered a busy signal. I've been attempting to secure appointments for over a week now. Dialed 61 times before finally reaching someone at 1:40 pm. There's no way they're genuinely that swamped. Their phones are deliberately set to busy mode because they're avoiding customer interactions.

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LA

Lucas A. Google 3 years ago

Rating

Bad!

Terrible service at medical practice despite good doctors

Terrible medical practice with numerous issues. The receptionists are incredibly slow to respond and seem more interested in chatting among themselves than assisting patients. Booking an appointment is frustrating, as they interrogate you about the reason for your visit. Moreover, their call handling is problematic - conversations are recorded on an unsecured phone line, potentially exposing confidential medical information to unauthorized personnel. It's alarming that patients in the waiting area can overhear staff discussing previous calls, which raises serious data protection concerns. Despite these significant drawbacks, the doctors themselves are remarkably competent and professional.

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NS

Nea S. Google 3 years ago

Rating

Bad!

Worst customer service ever frustrating experience

Attempting to schedule an appointment has been a nightmare for the past fortnight. Every time I try, either all slots are booked or the phone just rings endlessly. This experience is so frustrating that I'm reluctant to even give a single star rating!

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MW

Mark W. Google 3 years ago

Rating

Bad!

Worst restaurant experience ever terrible food

ABSOLUTELY APPALLING SERVICE !!!!

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AC

Alexandra C. Google 3 years ago

Rating

Bad!

Terrible medical service that fails patients completely

Complete embarrassment, if I performed at work this poorly, I'd be fired on the spot. Staff members consumed by their own ego, lacking any medical expertise, arbitrarily determining patient care and treatment options!

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EE

E E. Google 3 years ago

Rating

Excellent!

Compassionate care at its absolute finest

The personnel at this facility, with particular praise for the front desk and nursing team, are truly exceptional and demonstrate authentic compassion for their patients. They exhibit remarkable interpersonal skills and professionalism. It's evident they likely share patients' frustrations with certain bureaucratic healthcare protocols, but it's crucial we appreciate the incredible service they provide and remember to treat them with the same respect and kindness we would want for ourselves.

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JD

Jack D. Google 3 years ago

Rating

Excellent!

Fantastic dental service from first-time professional isaac

I had a technician named Isaac who seemed to be new on the job, likely on his first day, but he was absolutely fantastic. He was direct, focused, and paid close attention to my requirements during the procedure. Additionally, he managed to schedule my filling on the same day, and the result looks excellent. I couldn't speak more highly of his service.

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JJ

Jem J. Google 3 years ago

Rating

Excellent!

Smooth registration with friendly and helpful staff

I was pleasantly surprised by how straightforward registering at this medical practice turned out to be. During my initial phone call, the staff comprehensively outlined the identification documents I needed to bring. Upon arrival, the process was incredibly smooth and hassle-free. The receptionist was absolutely delightful, displaying exceptional customer service with her welcoming demeanor. She carefully guided me through the registration paperwork and provided a clear breakdown of when my registration would be complete. I truly appreciate how they set clear expectations, which is a crucial aspect of good service. I'm grateful for their warm reception and helpful support throughout the registration process.

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WB

Womble B. Google 4 years ago

Rating

Excellent!

Challenging wait but amazing doctors save the day

Getting an appointment can certainly test your patience, and being 45th in line was undoubtedly my most challenging wait ever. However, despite the initial frustration, I must commend the medical staff, particularly Dr. Kennedy, who has been incredibly compassionate and supportive. It's clear they are working diligently under extremely challenging conditions. Despite the queuing difficulties, I would absolutely suggest this practice to my loved ones.

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DD

David D. Google 4 years ago

Rating

Bad!

Worst medical practice ever terrible customer service

One star is far too generous! It's clear they've forgotten their fundamental purpose of serving patients, which is precisely what we compensate them for! I endured an exhausting ordeal of five separate phone attempts and 40 wasted minutes, only to have a receptionist inform me that if I couldn't arrive within 25 minutes, I should call back in an hour to check potential availability, as they refuse to schedule appointments ahead of time!! This medical practice is utterly shameful and incompetent! One can only wonder what they actually accomplish during their workday!

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MJ

Michelle J. Google 4 years ago

Rating

Bad!

Terrible service from unresponsive medical practice

Utterly DISASTROUS...!!! Attempt to call at 8am, call drops because of excessive wait times, retry with the same frustrating result, repeatedly! Even visiting the clinic in person yields no help, just being told to phone again (impossible when lines are constantly jammed) IF you somehow manage to connect, what's the reward?? Exactly ZERO appointments, just instructions to call back tomorrow!!! And should you express any understandable frustration about wasting hours trying to reach them, the receptionist will abruptly end the call UNPROFESSIONAL!!! Result of an entire day's effort: ABSOLUTELY NO MEDICAL ASSISTANCE

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CW

Carole W. Google 5 years ago

Rating

Excellent!

Exceptional staff making healthcare a positive experience

I genuinely have no complaints about any of the staff members I've interacted with - just two receptionists, a nurse, and a pharmacy representative. Each of them has been incredibly supportive and compassionate. They truly deserve a perfect score in my book.

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AC

Ann C. Google 5 years ago

Rating

Bad!

Incompetent doctors fail to help elderly patient

I requested a Buscopan prescription for my IBS, and the doctor suggested I purchase it from a pharmacy. Seriously? I'm 76 years old and should get this medication for free, and I can't afford to buy it myself. What sort of medical professional provides such appalling service? My opinion of these doctors is extremely low, especially considering they took two years to diagnose a hip fracture while treating me for back pain. I ultimately had to pay out of pocket to resolve the issue.

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RP

R P. Google 5 years ago

Rating

Bad!

Terrible receptionists ruin an otherwise great practice

This medical practice was exceptional until recent staff changes in the front desk team. Unprofessional and completely indifferent to patient needs. I desperately needed an urgent consultation but was dismissively judged and told my concerns were invalid by a receptionist... Subsequently, a physician diagnosed me days later and immediately referred me to emergency with serious cardiac issues! One particular receptionist stands out as especially arrogant, consistently displaying a condescending and harsh attitude. The doctors here are truly excellent, but patients must first navigate the hostile reception staff.

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KP

Kidsty P. Google 5 years ago

Rating

Bad!

Terrible service and uncaring medical staff nightmare

The customer service here is appalling. Several staff members desperately require training in basic customer interaction. They'd be outraged if their own relatives were treated with such indifference and dismissiveness. Only a handful of competent doctors are present. The recent changes to the appointment system clearly highlight the incompetence of the medical staff who were previously idle. There's no consistency in patient care, with patients being constantly shuffled between different practitioners and receiving no proper follow-up on treatments. I've heard similar complaints from numerous other patients. The non-medical staff, in particular, display an unwarranted sense of superiority, frequently challenging patients' accounts and essentially calling them dishonest. I've personally experienced being labeled as untruthful multiple times. It might be time to escalate this matter through an official complaint channel.

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NS

Nora S. Google 5 years ago

Rating

Excellent!

Smooth and efficient flu vaccination experience today

Sunday 27th September 2020. Impressive coordination and efficiency during our flu vaccination appointment today. Great job by the entire team. Stay safe.

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DM

D M. Google 6 years ago

Rating

Excellent!

Exceptional healthcare with compassionate medical professionals

This medical practice is truly exceptional. Dr Khatab and Dr Kennedy stand out for their compassion, expertise, and genuine care. I cannot speak highly enough of their professional dedication, especially considering the challenging healthcare environment they work in. Their commitment to patient well-being is remarkable and deeply appreciated.

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MC

Moe C. Google 6 years ago

Rating

Bad!

Terrible service and horrible customer experience

absolute garbage service, impossible to enter, all I want is to be done with this place and never return

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RE

Rik E. Google 6 years ago

Rating

Great!

Great service with a quick phone response

The employees appear approachable and sincerely aim to assist. However, waiting on hold for 5 minutes during Monday morning was frustrating.

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MR

Michelle R. Google 6 years ago

Rating

Average!

Caring doctors but confusing reception area

I truly sense that the medical professionals genuinely prioritize patient well-being. However, the front desk staff don't inspire the same confidence. It would be helpful if they could provide clearer signage, as not everyone is familiar with the layout on every visit.

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About the GP

  • Accepts all feedback, both positive and negative.

Contact Information

  • 01772 201010
  • Riverside Medical Centre 194 Victoria Road Walton-Le-Dale Preston PR5 4AY

Patient Experience Summary

Patient feedback reveals a mixed experience with significant operational challenges alongside clinical strengths. Appointment access emerges as the most persistent concern, with patients reporting difficulty reaching the practice by phone, long waiting times both on hold and in queues, and frustration with same-day-only booking systems that disadvantage working professionals. Reception experience is notably inconsistent, with some patients praising courteous and supportive staff while others describe dismissive, unhelpful, or discourteous interactions. Communication breakdowns are evident across multiple service areas, including appointment scheduling, follow-up care coordination, and responsiveness to patient inquiries and complaints.

In contrast, clinical care receives consistent praise. Patients describe doctors and nurses as professional, compassionate, and clinically competent, with several practitioners highlighted for their expertise and genuine care. The disparity between reception and clinical experiences is striking, with patients often acknowledging excellent medical staff while criticizing administrative barriers to accessing that care.

Key service improvements needed include enhanced phone system capacity and responsiveness, more flexible appointment booking options, better staff training in courtesy and communication, and improved coordination between reception and clinical teams. While some patients report recent improvements in wait times and the introduction of callback systems, the overall pattern suggests systemic administrative challenges that undermine confidence in the practice despite strong clinical performance.

Appointment

32.67 %
Bad

Reception

38.45 %
Poor

Cleanliness

65.00 %
Great

Care

72.18 %
Great

Respect

45.23 %
Poor

Seen on time

41.89 %
Poor
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