Swanpool Medical Centre

Unexpected transformation from cold to warm care

Suddenly, I've noticed a shift in the atmosphere at this place. The front desk personnel have become genuinely pleasant and accommodating. The new medical professionals - a female and male doctor (whose names escape me) - genuinely seem invested in providing care. They appear truly committed to helping patients, unlike previous staff who seemed reluctant and disconnected. It's like they actually want to be here and engage with us, not just going through the motions. What a remarkable transformation! 🤣 Serious upgrade in service quality.

Heartbreaking story of medical negligence and indifference

Management turned a blind eye when I tried to report issues with not being allowed to visit my newborn child, effectively dismissing my concerns at a higher organizational level.

Terrible service and impossible to see a doctor

I've been a patient at this medical practice for decades, but the last couple of years have been absolutely unbearable. It's impossible to secure an appointment, despite their claims of availability. You follow their instructions to call or arrive at 8am, only to find all slots have vanished. When you finally manage to see a doctor, the consultation lasts mere moments before you're hastily dismissed. Recently, I learned they're understaffed due to staff vacations. My strong recommendation: steer clear of registering with these healthcare providers.

Desperate patient struggles with terrible healthcare service

I'm battling a chronic mental health disorder that demands ongoing pharmaceutical treatment. However, securing the necessary medication has become an impossible task due to the complete inability to schedule a consultation. My attempts to secure an appointment have been ongoing since May, and now it's already August. I've exhausted multiple healthcare avenues, each of which ultimately redirects me back to my general practitioner, resulting in zero progress. The front desk staff display a shocking lack of empathy, with some displaying outright discourteous behavior. Meanwhile, most medical practices are refusing new patients, and the few that are accepting have proven equally ineffective. These surgeries have no business expanding their patient roster when they're fundamentally failing to support their existing clientele. It's an utterly shameful healthcare system.

Terrible service and limited gp appointment availability

Unable to secure an afternoon slot. I've never encountered a general practitioner with such limited availability, restricting appointments solely to morning hours. The receptionist's conduct was thoroughly unprofessional. I intend to file a formal complaint with the General Medical Council regarding this practice.

Frustrating pharmacy and surgery communication nightmare

I had an incredibly frustrating experience today with my prescription. I emailed the doctor's surgery on Tuesday about a repeat prescription for Neptune pharmacy. By Friday, when I visited Neptune, they claimed the prescription wasn't sent over. I contacted the surgery at 2:30pm, and was told the doctor was with patients and would sign off later. At 4:30pm, the doctor was still unavailable, but the receptionist suggested I collect a physical prescription at the surgery before closing at 6:30pm, or alternatively use Swanpool pharmacy. I walked to the surgery and spoke with the pharmacist, who initially claimed I wasn't their patient. After correcting them, they then informed me the prescription had been electronically sent to Murrays - contradicting the earlier advice from the receptionist. I tried calling Neptune, but they were closed after 7pm. Now I'm hoping they'll have my medication in stock tomorrow, as I'm completely out. I've filed a complaint with the surgery, acknowledging global IT issues today, but noting no such problems existed on Tuesday or Wednesday when I originally emailed. I'm calling on local government or council to address these service inadequacies. I've been completely misled by the receptionists, forced to make two unnecessary trips on foot, and I'm absolutely furious. My advice to other patients: change doctors if you can. The staff here are incompetent and dishonest, seemingly more interested in brushing patients off than providing proper care.

Excellent service from caring pharmacy team

When I sought assistance at Boots Pharmacy for a urinary tract condition, I discovered that due to my age being over 64, my options were limited to either visiting the Urgent Treatment Centre at Sandwell Hospital or scheduling a doctor's consultation. I phoned Swanpool, and they promptly picked up the call. Initially informed that no appointments were available, I was then asked about my medical issue. Surprisingly, I was offered a same-day slot with a Clinical pharmacist. The receptionist was incredibly supportive and accommodating. It's clear that the practice has significantly improved its approach to patient care.

Terrible service and long wait times at clinic

Every single visit here is a scheduling disaster. My mother was left waiting over half an hour beyond her scheduled time, and the staff displayed zero professionalism or courtesy. Their complete lack of respect for patients' time and comfort is appalling. I absolutely cannot suggest this medical practice to anyone seeking quality healthcare.

Frustrating wait for simple pneumonia vaccination

I visited the clinic for a pneumonia shot and arrived at 1:50 PM, with my scheduled appointment at 2:10 PM. By 2:30 PM, I approached the front desk to inquire why I hadn't been seen, only to discover that the receptionist had failed to properly log my arrival.

Frustrating healthcare experience with no real help

Completely ineffective service. I called to address my long-standing medication issue, but they refused to help because the specific staff member handling share agreements wasn't available, despite her previously telling the consultant and nurse that they would resolve the matter. Additionally, scheduling appointments is extremely challenging and frustrating.

Worst medical experience ever avoid this place

Absolutely dreadful surgical experience with an incredibly unprofessional team. The personnel were discourteous and condescending. Is there a contact email for this medical practice? Appreciate any help.

Endless phone calls lead to zero medical help

Making a phone appointment here is incredibly aggravating. Even when dialing precisely at 8 am, I'm frequently left waiting for approximately 30 minutes before anyone picks up. Invariably, I'm then told that all available slots are already taken. This forces me to repeat the entire frustrating process the following day, only to encounter the exact same outcome time and again. The consequence is that my medical issue either deteriorates to the point of requiring emergency care or simply improves by itself after enduring months of unsuccessful scheduling attempts. Absolutely repulsive.

Worst gp experience ever terrible service nightmare

The general practitioner in this region is absolutely terrible. I want to share my personal encounter with this medical practice. The staff are extremely discourteous and completely unhelpful. They consistently refuse to provide me with appointments. I've attempted to schedule consultations numerous times. Whenever I phone to book an appointment, they claim all slots are fully reserved and no further appointments are available that day. However, upon physically visiting the practice, I've never observed a single patient present since my initial registration. This suggests the entire staff is receiving government funding without delivering proper medical services. Based on my direct experience, this general practice deserves to be shut down. I intend to file a formal complaint with the NHS. I strongly advise everyone to avoid registering with this medical practice at all costs.

Terrible service endangering pregnant patient's health

The medical practice is absolutely dreadful. If a zero-star rating existed, I'd choose it without hesitation. At 25 weeks pregnant, I'm experiencing full-body itching and rashes. For a week, I've been attempting to secure a doctor's consultation, but they consistently refuse appointments. They demonstrate zero regard for patient well-being. When I visited the reception, I pleaded for them to at least contact the doctor for a phone consultation, but they dismissively claimed the physician was unavailable. This pattern of complete unresponsiveness has been my repeated experience whenever seeking medical advice. The entire staff is incredibly unhelpful and unprofessional. I would emphatically rate them zero stars if possible. I strongly advise everyone to avoid this medical practice at all costs.

Unprofessional and unhelpful medical center nightmare

Absolutely unbelievable! I called this medical center attempting to schedule an appointment for my father-in-law, who had previously been unsuccessful in his attempts. To my shock, the receptionist answered the phone mid-laugh, struggling to even articulate the center's name properly. When I questioned whether I had dialed the correct number, her response was simply, "What?" Truly astounding. I've since spoken with other patients who utilize this practice, and they've consistently reported similar experiences of unprofessional conduct from the reception staff, both in person and during phone interactions. Clearly, these employees are in desperate need of customer service training!

Worst healthcare experience ever terrible service

Scheduling a consultation with my physician seems impossible, and the delay in communicating my diabetes diagnosis is absolutely unacceptable. It's been an entire year since my tests, and I'm still struggling to get a simple appointment to discuss my medical results.

Dangerous medical incompetence threatens patient safety

The incompetence of this medical practice knows no limits. Nearly every interaction is a nightmare, from withholding my father's diabetic medication until he completed an unmentioned blood test, to incorrectly recording my mother's date of death, which led to a distressing call from the Coroner during our mourning period. This is merely a glimpse of their ongoing issues, which include restrictive communication hours and chronic appointment unavailability. My patience has finally reached its breaking point. A few weeks ago, I received a text instructing me to book a routine blood test. After scheduling and attending, I was informed that the doctor's surgery hadn't submitted the necessary paperwork. Upon calling the surgery, they denied requesting the test, dismissing my text message as "a mistake". Anticipating potential problems, I proceeded to order my medication, which was fortunate as I only had 5 tablets remaining. Predictably, last night I received another text demanding a blood test before I can collect my medication. Since the surgery is closed today, I'm now unable to take any action until Monday, by which time I'll be critically low on essential medication. This situation is completely unacceptable and potentially dangerous.

Worst medical practice ever terrible service

A dreadful medical practice I signed up with in December 2023 and departed by February 2024. They flatly declined to provide medications previously prescribed by other physicians, making the entire experience a total mockery. Attempting to schedule same-day appointments by phone was an absolute nightmare, with wait times exceeding 70 minutes, and the staff demonstrated consistently discourteous behavior towards patients.

Terrible service from swanpool medical practice

If I could give zero stars, I absolutely would. This medical practice has completely deteriorated since the pandemic. Four consecutive times, I've submitted my repeat prescription, and it hasn't been forwarded to my chosen pharmacy (no longer the independent Swanpool pharmacy, now owned by the practice itself - a whole other issue). The last instance, the self-satisfied receptionist claimed that anything placed in their box gets processed. Today, the same staff member was at the desk. I reminded her of her previous statement, and she merely suggested she'd attempt to get clinician approval, with no definitive timeline. I submitted my script well within the required timeframe and contacted the pharmacy after not receiving the usual notification. They confirmed they hadn't received the prescription - yet again. I expressed my frustration somewhat loudly but remained respectful, unlike the patronizing receptionist who, as I was leaving, was heard apologizing about my interaction. I will now be filing a formal complaint regarding her completely unacceptable customer service. Anyone considering this practice should think twice. Despite being a patient for thirty-four years, I've never experienced such abysmal treatment.

Terrible service from unhelpful employees

Extremely poor service staff