Strawberry Hill Medical Centre

Helpful receptionists made the appointment process smooth

I am very satisfied with the care I received at this practice. The reception team members are helpful and friendly, and the clinical staff are kind and easy to talk to. I am grateful for the support provided by everyone there.

Polite staff made the visit pleasant

Outstanding experience with courteous and welcoming team members throughout my visit.

Same day appointments when you need them

Extremely helpful service. Whenever I've needed an appointment, I've been able to see a clinician on the same day without any complications. This practice is well-run and the appointment system functions very effectively. It's unfortunate that some patients don't fully appreciate how the appointment process benefits everyone.

Reception staff were dismissive and unhelpful

The reception staff came across as dismissive and intrusive, which made me hesitant to seek help. I've been dealing with a persistent issue for an extended period but delayed addressing it because I felt my concerns wouldn't be taken seriously. Overall, I had a negative experience and would not recommend this practice.

Reception staff dismissive when asking questions

I found the experience at this practice to be quite unwelcoming, particularly when trying to seek clarification on matters. The communication style felt dismissive and somewhat confrontational, which was disappointing. It appeared as though my visit was viewed as an inconvenience, and the front desk staff seemed indifferent to addressing my concerns. I would rate this experience very poorly if given the option.

Manager never called back about concerns

I have been waiting more than three weeks for a manager to contact me regarding concerns about the service my child has received. Commitments were made about timescales that were not met, with delays extending several weeks beyond what was initially indicated. When I followed up on the progress, no explanation was provided for the extended wait. I feel disappointed by the lack of communication and responsiveness, and this experience has left me questioning whether the practice prioritises children's care appropriately.

Hard to get appointments but staff really care

I have consistently had a positive experience at this centre. While appointment availability can be challenging, every member of the team has been helpful and courteous, and I recognise this reflects broader NHS pressures rather than any fault of theirs. My health concern was identified promptly and I am receiving the appropriate support and treatment I need. I am grateful for the care provided.

Impossible to book appointments through outdated systems

It is extremely difficult to obtain appointments at this practice, and the telephone system appears outdated. Many staff members seem unfamiliar with how their systems operate. Despite being located in a smaller town compared to nearby areas, the technological capabilities here fall short of what is available elsewhere. Patients are restricted to seeing their assigned doctor, whereas other surgeries permit patients to see any available doctor during emergencies. The overall experience has been very disappointing. When attempting to book an appointment for a family member recently, the wait time on the phone was considerable before being informed that an appointment would not be provided for the concern in question, as it was deemed insufficiently urgent. The receptionist asked questions that felt more appropriate for a clinical discussion with a doctor rather than administrative staff. The manner in which the call was handled came across as dismissive and unwelcoming. This practice appears to be among the poorest performing surgeries encountered.

Receptionists gate-keep appointments with blunt responses

I've been registered with this practice for approximately two to three years and have found the experience frustrating. I was assigned to this location due to moving house, but accessing appointments involves waiting nearly two to four weeks, which makes timely care difficult. The reception staff can be quite direct in their communication and sometimes emphasise points that don't seem relevant to why I'm seeking an appointment. They appear to apply strict categorisation systems to determine urgency, and even when I've indicated something is important, it doesn't always align with their assessment criteria. Additionally, there have been issues with medication management. The practice indicates they will send prescriptions to my local pharmacy, but on arrival at the pharmacy, nothing has been received, resulting in further delays of around two to three weeks before medication becomes available.

Reception team made booking straightforward and welcoming

The reception team provided excellent service that was both welcoming and well-organised, whether communicating by telephone or in person.

Repeated contact required for simple issue resolution

The appointment process feels unnecessarily complicated and restrictive when trying to access medical care. I had a relatively minor concern affecting my comfort and safety while driving, which seemed straightforward enough to address through written communication, as was possible during the pandemic, rather than consuming appointment slots needed by patients with more pressing requirements. Instead, the issue required repeating the same information multiple times across different contact methods, which felt inefficient and time-consuming. I rarely need to see my GP directly, but if this reflects how the system operates, it's understandable why some older patients avoid contacting their practice and subsequently experience health deterioration. Additionally, I received some concerning test results that fell significantly outside the expected parameters, yet I'm unable to speak with a GP for an extended period, and my results have been documented as falling within normal ranges. In such situations, individuals feel compelled to seek private medical attention instead. I genuinely want to support NHS services, but I shouldn't feel forced to compromise my own wellbeing in order to do so.

Reception staff made it hard to see a doctor

It can be quite challenging to get through to see a clinician, as the reception team often acts as a barrier to accessing appointments.

Receptionists unhelpful and doctors rarely available

This practice fell significantly short of expectations, with unhelpful front desk staff and limited doctor availability when appointments were needed. I would not recommend using this service.

Felt genuinely listened to and understood

I have been to see a clinician at this practice who was very patient and a good listener. They knew exactly how to help me out. Highly recommended.

Consistently good care over many years

There seem to be many dissatisfied patients, but I've been with this practice for quite some time and have consistently had positive experiences. 🤷🏼‍♂️

Reception staff could improve their manner

The reception staff could benefit from improved communication skills and a more courteous approach when dealing with patients.

Long wait times and unhelpful reception staff

This surgery does not represent good value for public funding. I would recommend looking elsewhere, as I found the service quality to be disappointing.

Quick appointments when you need them

I was able to secure an appointment without much delay. Over a four-week period, I managed to arrange three same-day consultations for my ongoing concerns, with two of these being with a clinician and available within a couple of hours of my initial call. The team members were friendly and approachable. My matters were resolved promptly. I have been satisfied with my experience overall, though I did find that parking availability could occasionally be challenging.

Online booking system feels impersonal

I recently had to switch to a different practice. I really miss my previous surgery! The new practice operates solely through an online booking system, and the reception staff seem unwilling to help unless you've already booked online first. My old practice had staff available to speak with directly, and I could usually arrange an appointment with a GP simply by making a phone call. I do wish I were still registered there!

Long-term patient with consistent care

I have been a patient at this practice for several years and have consistently received outstanding care. I would strongly encourage others to consider this surgery.