Seaside Medical Centre

Couldn't get through on the phone lines

Attempting to reach the practice by telephone at opening time resulted in numerous failed connection attempts, followed by an extended wait on hold, only to learn that no appointments were available at that time.

Always felt listened to at my surgery

This is my local medical practice, and I have consistently received outstanding service from the clinical team throughout my time as a patient.

Reception dismissive, felt unheard and ignored

I felt that the medical professionals here suggested I seek over-the-counter remedies when dealing with serious health concerns. The overall experience left me feeling uncared for, as there seemed to be a lack of follow-up or acknowledgment of my issues. I've interacted with several clinicians at this practice and found their approach unhelpful. I believe they could benefit from being more approachable and engaged. Some of the staff appeared to lack current knowledge, and I had the impression they were simply looking up information rather than drawing on genuine expertise to address my concerns.

Quick and efficient care during challenging times

Given the challenging conditions that healthcare professionals are currently operating within, I am very grateful for the prompt and effective care I received when I attended regarding a couple of health concerns I had over the past month.

Phone lines weren't available at booking time

I was instructed to contact the practice at 8.30 am to arrange an appointment. However, when I attempted to call at that time, the phone line was not available.

Reception staff dismissed concerns without proper investigation

I felt the need to address something important. In my experience, I have concerns about the accuracy of information provided at this practice. I was informed that I had undergone testing for a particular condition and that it had been excluded. When I sought a second opinion elsewhere, I was told that the test I was supposedly given does not actually exist, which raised questions about what I had been told previously. On another occasion, while I was outside the practice with my disabled child who was experiencing distress, someone from the surgery approached me from a distance and made accusations toward me in an aggressive manner. This interaction felt inappropriate and unfounded, particularly given the distance involved and the circumstances. I found the approach to be unprofessional and intrusive. A formal complaint was subsequently made regarding this incident. Following the complaint, I was disappointed by how it was handled. The response from management appeared to dismiss my concerns and accept the account provided by staff without proper investigation. This lack of thorough consideration was frustrating. I would encourage the practice to reflect on professional standards and the importance of respectful communication with patients, particularly those managing additional challenges. There appears to be a pattern of concerns reflected in other patient feedback about this surgery. The overall rating and reputation of this practice seems to have declined over time. I would suggest that taking patient concerns more seriously and addressing feedback constructively could help improve the situation. I have also noted comments from other patients suggesting they felt dismissed after leaving negative reviews, which is concerning. Based on my experience, I would recommend exploring alternative medical services that may better meet your needs. The practice would benefit from genuine engagement with patient feedback and a commitment to improving standards.

Phone line staff dismissed my concerns too quickly

Unprofessional service … I called early in the morning and the receptionist simply told me to contact 111 because there were no straightforward appointments available online … I had been unwell for several days … that was the only guidance I received … I was disappointed by the response from the practice. Where are the healthcare professionals to see patients?

Reception staff were dismissive and unhelpful

I have experienced concerns regarding communication from the practice staff. Additionally, I submitted a formal complaint, though I felt the practice did not take appropriate action in response. I have also requested that my information be deleted from their records, but they have declined this request. Furthermore, I have expressed my wish to no longer be registered with the practice, yet they have refused to process my deregistration.

Couldn't get doctor preference changed despite requests

I have had difficulties with one particular clinician at this practice. I felt that my concerns were not being adequately addressed. I made several attempts to request a different healthcare provider, however this was not accommodated. Due to these ongoing issues, I ultimately decided to switch to a different NHS practice, as I was consistently being scheduled with this same clinician despite my requests for an alternative.

Practice banned me after negative review

I would advise caution when considering posting critical feedback, as it appears that negative reviews may result in defensive responses and potential removal from the patient list, based on patterns observed in other patient accounts.

Reception staff went the extra mile for us

The clinical staff member has been wonderful and provided excellent care to both myself and my family member. The reception team have been consistently helpful and accommodating, doing their best to assist with my needs within their capacity. Thank you for the continued good service, I have no concerns to raise.

Asked to leave after honest feedback

I was asked to leave the practice following a review I had posted. The practice did not approve of my feedback, though I believe it was accurate. I felt that some of the clinical staff lacked genuine concern for patients. It appeared the practice prioritised their out-of-hours service as a significant revenue stream. While I am no longer a patient there, I maintain that my previous comments were valid.

Spent hours on hold without getting through

A deeply disappointing experience. I have not visited my GP in over a year. The pandemic does not justify the current situation. Attempting to secure an appointment or even a telephone consultation feels nearly impossible. Over the past few weeks, I have invested approximately 4 hours calling the practice in an attempt to book an appointment. The phone line has been answered just once. When my child required medical attention, I was forced to attend the emergency department because my doctor was not accessible to me. This represents a significant failing in service provision. I am puzzled as to why the online and app-based registration options were discontinued more than a year ago. The situation has become so difficult that I must take time away from work simply to attempt to reach the practice. Even after taking time off, there is no certainty that I will be able to see a healthcare professional. This is an unacceptable state of affairs. I would recommend looking elsewhere for care.

Practice listens and explains things clearly

The practice provides excellent care for my family member. The staff member I've worked with has been invaluable and truly exceptional, and the clinician we see has always been straightforward and honest about what to expect, which we greatly value. They've consistently shown understanding and patience, even when managing complex situations. Thank you.

Helpful staff who always go the extra mile

This is a very good practice where the team is consistently helpful and accommodating. The clinical staff and support team go out of their way to assist, and nothing seems to be too much of a burden for them.

Reception helped with my referral quickly

Although my visit was brief and I wasn't seen by my regular practitioner due to the circumstances, I wanted to express my gratitude for the excellent support I received. The healthcare professional I saw was wonderful and provided valuable assistance when I required a referral. I have recently relocated and needed to transfer to a different practice. I wish the surgery all the best going forward.

Practice removed access without proper explanation

I received notification that my access to the practice would be terminated following a review I submitted. As a result, I am no longer permitted to attend appointments or receive information regarding my family member's healthcare needs. Despite my family member having ongoing health concerns, the practice indicated they were unwilling to engage further. When I attempted to raise my concerns, I was advised this was not the appropriate venue for complaints. I would caution others that expressing dissatisfaction may result in similar restrictions to your access.

Communication could be better at this practice

This practice was previously of a higher standard. The clinical team demonstrates limited communication abilities and appears reluctant to engage in active listening. While acknowledging the demanding nature of healthcare work, this does not excuse the approach taken. There are some exceptional staff members who provide excellent care and represent real strengths to the practice. Unfortunately, these individuals appear to be outliers rather than representative of the overall standard.

Good service but long wait times

Overall satisfactory experience with the practice

Receptionists made booking straightforward and friendly

I have been attending this practice for nearly two decades and have consistently found the reception team to be outstanding, demonstrating excellent courtesy and helpfulness throughout my time as a patient. Although my previous healthcare provider moved on, I was assigned another clinician who has proven to be equally excellent in their care and approach. I would rate this practice at the highest level possible, and would gladly give an even higher rating if that were an option.