St. Johns Group Practice

Staff listened and took time with me

I cannot speak highly enough of this practice and the team members who work there.

Impossible to book appointments at this practice

This is the worst GP practice I have ever attended. Appointment availability is severely limited, with waits extending many months into the future. The location presents significant challenges – parking is extremely difficult to find, and once you manage to enter the surgery, you encounter reception staff who appear thoroughly disengaged and unhelpful. They tend to be curt in their manner, regardless of how politely you approach them. The staff might benefit from experiencing the pressures of working in a demanding public service role, as they would then understand what genuine workplace stress entails. The practice advises calling from 0800 onwards, yet getting through to book anything proves nearly impossible. While I recognise the service is under considerable strain, this practice compares unfavourably to other surgeries I have previously used – it feels fundamentally broken. I attempted to use their recently redesigned app to secure an appointment, only to discover it has become even more frustrating and unintuitive than before. When I tried calling instead, I found myself 45th in the queue. The experience was dreadful. The sole positive aspect of this practice is one particular clinician, and my single star rating reflects their contribution alone. This clinician demonstrates genuine care, understanding, and strong medical expertise. However, accessing their services feels like a matter of chance, and securing an appointment with them is a significant achievement. In a recent attempt to book an appointment, I logged into the app only to find the practice is currently accepting no new appointments whatsoever, leaving me uncertain about what purpose the practice actually serves.

Repeatedly passed around with no answers or help

I found the experience at this practice to be deeply frustrating. I attend regularly due to ongoing health concerns, and over the past three years I have struggled to receive clear answers or meaningful support. The appointment process feels draining and unproductive. I have been referred between different clinicians multiple times, only to arrive at appointments where I am told certain prescriptions cannot be provided. This is particularly disappointing given that my medical records contain recommendations for specific medications, yet when I request these I encounter significant barriers to obtaining them. The process for securing a prescription alone took several weeks, which added to my sense of being let down by the service. I feel I have been going in circles for an extended period, and some clinicians have acknowledged uncertainty about their approach during consultations. I am concerned about the quality of care being provided and cannot recommend this practice based on my experience. The service appears to have declined significantly from what it once was, and I worry about patient safety and outcomes.

Staff were friendly and welcoming

I've had a positive experience so far. The team has been pleasant and welcoming.

Dismissive attitude made me feel unheard

Difficult consultation experience with healthcare provider I found the appointment to be challenging due to the communication style encountered. The healthcare professional seemed resistant to addressing my concerns and appeared dismissive of my requests for assistance. The interaction left me feeling unsupported and frustrated with the level of care provided during the visit.

Couldn't get proper help for infections

I would advise against registering at this practice. I have attended on multiple occasions with a family member who had a health concern, and the treatment provided was limited. I felt that the care provided was inadequate and there were significant difficulties in obtaining a consultation with a clinician.

Long waits and limited appointment availability

The situation appears to be deteriorating, with much of the team operating on a part-time basis. There is currently limited availability of certain clinicians, and it seems the nursing staff are bearing a significant portion of the workload. I experienced a considerable delay of several weeks before securing a telephone consultation, as in-person appointments were not accessible at that time. The circumstances felt quite difficult to believe.

Long phone wait, no appointments available

This practice feels disappointing. I spent over an hour waiting on hold when I called, only to be told that no appointments were currently available.

Long wait times but appointment eventually came

Extended wait times before your appointment

Prescription requests ignored for weeks repeatedly

My son has a neurodevelopmental condition and a respiratory condition. The ongoing difficulties we experience with this practice are extremely frustrating. He also has a significant medical history, and any respiratory concerns require prompt attention. I have requested his essential medication twice, and a week later it still has not been provided despite him running low. The practice is aware of the seriousness of his situation, yet the response lacks urgency and understanding. I have been a patient here for 20 years but feel I need to find alternative care. I speak to others who do not encounter these issues with their practices. The staff do not seem to fully grasp how my son's condition affects his ability to communicate, which means I must actively manage his healthcare and monitor for any changes. It is concerning when a medical practice holds such responsibility for a young child's wellbeing yet appears to lack compassion in their approach.

Felt truly heard and understood here

I would like to highlight the exceptional care I received during my recent visit. The clinician demonstrated remarkable empathy and made genuine effort to listen to my concerns about something that was impacting me both emotionally and physically. I felt genuinely heard and my concerns were validated. The quality of this interaction was such that I would be keen to see the same clinician again in future. I hope the practice continues to retain staff of this calibre.

Pharmacy referrals instead of proper appointments

This practice has been disappointing in my experience. Appointments are difficult to obtain, and there is a tendency to redirect patients to the pharmacy for medication rather than providing direct clinical assessment, even when feeling significantly unwell. I have found this approach unsatisfactory and have decided to seek care elsewhere.

Persistent phone lines finally got me through

It is extremely difficult to obtain an appointment due to persistent phone line issues, with the line frequently being busy or disconnecting. Considerable effort was required to successfully reach the practice and book a consultation. However, once contact was established, the team demonstrated helpfulness and courtesy.

Receptionist went beyond their role

The receptionist appeared to exceed the scope of their role.

Reception staff gave unhelpful information about results

I contacted the practice today to inquire about the status of some test results I was expecting to receive. The receptionist indicated that results cannot be viewed through the NHS app, though I believe this information to be inaccurate. During the call, I was asked to provide my identifying details multiple times, which felt unnecessary and repetitive. The manner in which I was treated by reception felt unwelcoming and dismissive. I found this experience disappointing.

Reception staff were ready to help

Whenever assistance is needed, the team demonstrates a willingness to provide support.

Hard to book but worth the early start

I have been a patient at this practice for approximately 15 years and have consistently had positive experiences with the clinicians I have seen. The main challenge I face is the difficulty in securing an appointment through the telephone system, particularly given the need to call at opening time. When I do manage to get through, available slots are often limited. I have discovered that attending the practice in person shortly before opening hours tends to be more effective in obtaining an appointment.

Switched surgeries and couldn't be happier

I have been a patient at this practice for several months now and have found nothing to criticise. The team has been attentive and proactive throughout my time here. Switching to this surgery was definitely the right decision for me.

Long waits and prescription errors frustrated me

This practice has significant issues with appointment availability and turnaround times. It took a week to see a clinician, and there were errors with the initial prescription that required correction. When following up on test results ten days later, I was informed of a substantial wait for a callback appointment. The overall timeframe to address the matter stretched to nearly six weeks. For working individuals, securing convenient appointment slots proves challenging.

Reception didn't take my injuries seriously

As someone with a background in caregiving and having relocated to the area, my experience has been disappointing. The practice's main engagement seemed limited to sending routine health messages. When I attended with injuries from a serious incident, I felt the clinical team showed little concern or thorough examination. During a subsequent visit regarding mental health support, I had to persistently advocate for myself and share extensive personal details before receiving any medication. Overall, the level of care and attentiveness fell well short of what I expected.