Patient Experience Summary

Feedback on this practice reveals a deeply polarised patient experience. Positive reviews consistently praise compassionate medical staff, supportive nursing teams, and efficient service delivery, with particular appreciation for prompt attention and genuine patient care. However, these positive experiences are substantially outweighed by widespread concerns about appointment access, with patients reporting waiting periods of six to eight weeks or longer. Phone line accessibility emerges as a persistent problem, with callers experiencing long hold times, frequent disconnections, and unresponsive systems that discourage contact.

Reception experience represents a significant area of concern, with multiple patients describing staff as dismissive, rude, and unhelpful. Communication failures extend beyond the reception desk to broader practice operations, including inadequate follow-up on test results, medication management issues, and poor continuity of care. Several patients note that frequent GP changes—sometimes four or more within a short period—prevent meaningful therapeutic relationships and require repeated explanations of medical history during rushed consultations. Privacy concerns are also raised, with patients reporting that personal medical information is discussed openly in waiting areas.

The practice appears to have experienced notable service decline, with long-standing patients expressing particular disappointment at deterioration from previously higher standards. While some patients report positive experiences with specific medical professionals and after-hours services, the overall pattern suggests systemic challenges in appointment availability, reception courtesy, communication responsiveness, and continuity that significantly impact patient confidence in the service.

Appointment

35.67 %
Poor

Reception

38.45 %
Poor

Cleanliness

72.50 %
Great

Care

52.18 %
Average

Respect

42.89 %
Poor

Seen on time

38.92 %
Poor

Filter

SS

Sarab S. Google one year ago

Rating

Bad!

Downhill since Dr Evans left practice

St Leonards Practice has definitely declined from its former glory. As a long-time patient since 1996 and a local Exeter native, I've witnessed a significant drop in quality. My previous GP, Dr Evans, set a standard that has been impossible to replace. While I understand the NHS has been challenged by Covid, the practice's recruitment efforts have been abysmal. As an Asian patient, I'm not being discriminatory, but some Asian staff at St Leonard's are falling short of professional standards. The front desk receptionists are particularly harsh and unwelcoming. Today, my wife's tetanus injection experience was appalling. The nurse, Shibby Varghese, demonstrated incredibly poor professionalism. She failed to follow basic medical protocols like cleaning the injection site and didn't demonstrate any compassion or patient care. She didn't check my wife's comfort level or help her manage potential anxiety about injections. Her approach was completely inadequate. I intend to file a formal complaint. Additionally, my sibling's experience has been equally frustrating - their tetanus injection appointment has been cancelled twice, with no follow-up communication from the practice. The situation is deteriorating rapidly. In my opinion, Dr Khan should seriously consider stepping down from this increasingly dysfunctional medical practice.

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IA

Ibrahim A. Google one year ago

Rating

Excellent!

Friendly staff made my day better

I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to the incredible staff at St Leonards practice. Your compassion, warmth, and exceptional support mean so much to me. I truly appreciate everything you've done.

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RS

Rachael S. Google one year ago

Rating

Bad!

Awful medical practice that discriminates badly

Absolutely zero stars warranted. Blatantly discriminatory behavior. Individuals with disabilities, safeguarded by equality legislation, should be warned about potential discrimination from practice manager Helen and Dr. Buick.

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GW

Gareth W. Google one year ago

Rating

Bad!

Frustrating phone consultations since covid

The practice was previously excellent, but the pandemic has made securing an in-person consultation extremely challenging. I'm utterly perplexed by how they expect to provide accurate diagnoses through phone consultations alone.

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FB

Freya B. Google one year ago

Rating

Bad!

Rude receptionist ruined my urgent request

Ordinarily, I avoid posting critical feedback, but in this case, I feel compelled to speak up. When I reached out in a critical moment, seeking immediate access to my essential prescription, I encountered a receptionist whose demeanor was shockingly dismissive and demeaning. The interaction was marked by an unnecessarily harsh and belittling attitude that was entirely inappropriate. An individual displaying such an insensitive approach has no business interacting with patients who are already in a fragile and challenging state.

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GO

Gabby O. Google one year ago

Rating

Excellent!

Caring doctor who truly listens

Dr. Taha Khan is an outstanding primary care physician who truly excels in patient care. His empathy, support, and genuine compassion are remarkable. What truly sets him apart is his incredible ability to listen intently to patients' concerns and delve deeply into understanding their health issues. He consistently provides multiple treatment options, which helps patients feel reassured and empowered about their medical journey. Finding a healthcare provider who balances professional expertise with such a personalized, warm demeanor is incredibly rare. I wholeheartedly recommend Dr. Khan to anyone seeking a medical professional who offers both exceptional medical skills and heartfelt patient care.

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KA

Karen A. Google one year ago

Rating

Excellent!

Friendly local surgery with helpful staff

I've been a patient at this medical practice with my family for several years now. Throughout our time here, we've consistently experienced top-notch, compassionate, and streamlined care from the doctors, nursing staff, and front desk personnel. Their digital patient screening platform functions smoothly, and we typically receive prompt attention when needed.

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JR

James R. Google 2 years ago

Rating

Excellent!

Quick care when I needed help

I needed an urgent appointment because of a sudden health concern and was truly struck by the physician's compassion and expertise. The doctor demonstrated remarkable understanding, intelligence, and genuine care - precisely the attributes you want in a primary care physician. Despite the frequent criticisms surrounding our national health service, we felt completely supported and reassured. Our sincere appreciation.

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HH

Heblon H. Google 2 years ago

Rating

Bad!

Nurse Megan treated me terribly

Nurse Megan demonstrates extreme unprofessionalism by allowing personal feelings to interfere with patient care, targeting individuals she personally dislikes during medical appointments. Her conduct is so unacceptable that she should be immediately dismissed from her position, effectively bringing disrepute to the NHS. In a previous appointment, she even went as far as physically assaulting me. Her behavior is utterly reprehensible, especially considering her fundamental duty is to provide compassionate and ethical healthcare.

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WR

Wendy R. Google 2 years ago

Rating

Bad!

Slow and frustrating death certificate process

Extremely sluggish in processing the essential documentation for the death certificate. Completely ineffective.

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SS

Scarlette S. Google 2 years ago

Rating

Excellent!

Friendly late-night clinic saved our day

Visited this medical practice during an after-hours consultation. Exceptional facility with incredibly compassionate and supportive personnel. My daughter was thoroughly delighted with her experience and expressed a desire to return.

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AK

Andrew K. Google 2 years ago

Rating

Bad!

Worst doctor visit ever at clinic

The physician proved entirely ineffective, offering no comprehensive treatment strategy, which left me utterly bewildered and desperately searching for guidance on how to proceed with my medical concerns.

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SP

Stephanie P. Google 2 years ago

Rating

Bad!

Appointment mess left me totally frustrated

Utterly disappointing! The service falls far short of expectations. Extremely aggravating when a critical health-related appointment gets abruptly cancelled. It's near impossible to schedule with the specific doctor you prefer, forcing you onto an endless waiting list (Dr. Tebutt). Medication management is equally problematic - they prescribed a drug that's no longer available, compelling me to contact 111 for a medication adjustment after my GP consultation. Attempts to plan ahead and book appointments in advance are flatly rejected, leaving patients with zero flexibility. The situation is chaotic, with some GP practices refusing to accept patients for single medical concerns. I'm seriously considering finding alternative healthcare providers due to these persistent issues. What a complete organizational disaster!

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PW

Patrick W. Google 2 years ago

Rating

Excellent!

Midnight doctor saved me when sick

Dr. Usher was incredibly kind, seeing me promptly around midnight when I was extremely ill. They provided excellent treatment, and now I'm feeling significantly improved. I'm truly thankful that such a compassionate healthcare service is available to us.

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SR

Sarah R. Google 2 years ago

Rating

Excellent!

Compassionate care during tough medical moments

Despite the challenging circumstances of my husband's persistent health issue, which has necessitated three visits to St Leonards out of hours, the medical team's compassion and professionalism have been truly exceptional. We are deeply grateful for the outstanding care and support he has received from every single staff member.

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AE

Alex E. Google 2 years ago

Rating

Bad!

Long wait but worth the bite

Anticipate waiting around 30 minutes before being served.

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GS

Gurmehar S. Google 2 years ago

Rating

Bad!

Terrible care for chronic patients

There is a complete absence of patient-centered care from this healthcare provider. Individuals with long-term health conditions are receiving inadequate management, with critical delays in referrals and medication prescriptions from specialists. These oversights are causing patients to experience severe complications related to their medical conditions. It is astonishing that this practice has not been thoroughly investigated and disciplined by the Care Quality Commission.

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MC

Marie C. Google 2 years ago

Rating

Excellent!

Quick help from helpful team

Superb and swift handling of my concerns with outstanding efficiency. The administrative team was incredibly approachable and competent, resolving all my questions in less than a quarter of an hour.

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AK

Andrew K. Google 3 years ago

Rating

Excellent!

Caring doctor helped us during tough moment

Dr. Kay was an absolute blessing when we needed support for our infant last week. Her approach was incredibly attentive, considerate, and quick to address our concerns. She provided a sense of calm and security during a challenging time. We are truly grateful.

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SB

Simon B. Google 3 years ago

Rating

Excellent!

Quick stop with kind pharmacist

Stopped by the drugstore, encountered a welcoming and supportive team of employees who were eager to assist me.

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About the GP

  • Accepts all feedback, both positive and negative.

Contact Information

  • 01392 201790
  • St Leonards Practice Athelstan Road Exeter Devon EX1 1SB

Patient Experience Summary

Feedback on this practice reveals a deeply polarised patient experience. Positive reviews consistently praise compassionate medical staff, supportive nursing teams, and efficient service delivery, with particular appreciation for prompt attention and genuine patient care. However, these positive experiences are substantially outweighed by widespread concerns about appointment access, with patients reporting waiting periods of six to eight weeks or longer. Phone line accessibility emerges as a persistent problem, with callers experiencing long hold times, frequent disconnections, and unresponsive systems that discourage contact.

Reception experience represents a significant area of concern, with multiple patients describing staff as dismissive, rude, and unhelpful. Communication failures extend beyond the reception desk to broader practice operations, including inadequate follow-up on test results, medication management issues, and poor continuity of care. Several patients note that frequent GP changes—sometimes four or more within a short period—prevent meaningful therapeutic relationships and require repeated explanations of medical history during rushed consultations. Privacy concerns are also raised, with patients reporting that personal medical information is discussed openly in waiting areas.

The practice appears to have experienced notable service decline, with long-standing patients expressing particular disappointment at deterioration from previously higher standards. While some patients report positive experiences with specific medical professionals and after-hours services, the overall pattern suggests systemic challenges in appointment availability, reception courtesy, communication responsiveness, and continuity that significantly impact patient confidence in the service.

Appointment

35.67 %
Poor

Reception

38.45 %
Poor

Cleanliness

72.50 %
Great

Care

52.18 %
Average

Respect

42.89 %
Poor

Seen on time

38.92 %
Poor
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