The Discovery Practice

Struggling to book an appointment here

The reception staff experience was disappointing, and accessing an appointment with a clinician proved difficult.

Poor communication and lack of empathy

This practice provided an experience that fell significantly short of my expectations. I found the approach to be lacking in compassion and understanding, and the overall conduct and communication were disappointing.

Reception staff were polite but couldn't see doctor

I have not had an appointment with a clinician from this practice for many years, despite being in my eighties. I find it easier to arrange veterinary care for my pet than to see someone here, even though that involves a fee. The reception team are consistently helpful and courteous. I received a message asking me to complete a health assessment questionnaire, which I initially disregarded as it seemed unusual. When a follow-up message arrived, I responded by questioning how I could reasonably evaluate my own health status without professional guidance. I manage my repeat medications through the online system, and whilst my pharmacy offers home delivery, the process typically takes around a week to complete. Despite these challenges, I remain in good health and spirits.

Urgent appointment offered two weeks later

I had a very negative experience with this practice. Last year, I received a diagnosis that I believe was incorrect, which led to me being admitted to hospital. I felt that the clinical assessment at the time was inadequate. Today, I attempted to book an urgent appointment as I needed same-day care, but was offered a telephone consultation nearly two weeks away. By that point, my need for urgent attention will have passed, as I required help this morning when I called after waiting for the surgery to open following the weekend. I am extremely disappointed with the service provided. I do not feel that patient care is prioritised, and I have concerns about the quality of clinical assessments being made. I am now uncertain how to proceed, as the appointment offered will be too late to address my current health needs. I am very dissatisfied with the care I have received and feel the service falls significantly short of acceptable standards.

Receptionist was disrespectful and unhelpful

This practice has been disappointing overall. The reception staff could be more respectful in their interactions. Parking facilities are limited with few available spaces in the area. The clinical staff have not met expectations. On balance, the experience has fallen well short of what would be hoped for.

Struggling to book appointments by phone

It is difficult to secure an appointment through standard telephone booking methods, with e-consultation being the only available option.

Reception staff weren't at their desk when needed

Very disappointing experience. The clinical staff do not appear to give proper consideration to patient concerns, and reception coverage seems inadequate throughout the day. During my recent visit, I arrived punctually but experienced significant delays in being attended to. When another patient required assistance, there was a considerable wait before staff responded, and the manner in which they addressed the situation felt dismissive rather than helpful. The overall handling of the situation was frustrating, and I was kept waiting considerably longer than expected. The service fell well short of what I would consider acceptable standards.

Reception helpful but doctor dismisses concerns about weight

The reception team and nursing staff appear to be pleasant and genuinely supportive, however the calibre of clinical care provided by the doctors falls short of expectations. I am aware of my weight and am actively working to address this, but it feels that whenever I contact the practice about any health concern, the response centres on weight loss as a potential solution, with my weight being mentioned repeatedly to emphasise the point. I sometimes feel that any health issue would be attributed to my weight regardless of the actual cause. What is particularly frustrating is that I have not been seen for over eight months, during which time I have made significant progress with my weight loss, yet I still feel I am not receiving the same level of medical attention as I might otherwise expect. Additionally, the practice operates reduced hours in the afternoon, which creates a significant barrier to accessing care. When I attempted to ring on a weekday afternoon to arrange a callback for another day, I was informed the practice was unavailable during those hours. This scheduling makes it extremely difficult for working patients to obtain appointments or even arrange consultations. Given the wider challenges with GP availability across the country, these restricted hours seem to compound an already difficult situation for patients trying to access healthcare.

Helpful staff made me feel valued

I consistently hear negative commentary about this practice, but I must say that my own experiences have been entirely positive. The staff members across all roles have consistently demonstrated helpfulness, professionalism, and courtesy. I appreciate their service.

Quick appointments at new practice

I recently registered with this practice and have already had occasion to attend two appointments, both of which were handled with impressive speed and professionalism. The nursing staff provided excellent care.

Prompt blood test results and personalized care approach

This is an excellent, modern surgery with a diverse team bringing varied levels of experience. The approach taken is very person-centred and tailored to individual patient needs. The clinical staff are highly skilled and deliver an outstanding service. When I had blood work done, I received prompt communication the following day asking me to get in touch with the surgery. The practice demonstrates a commitment to using current technology and efficient processes. Over many years, I have had very few negative experiences here. I would strongly recommend this practice to others. The patient population is wonderfully mixed, ranging from younger to older individuals, which means there is generally someone available who can provide appropriate medical guidance and support for various needs.

Couldn't get through on the phone

Disappointing experience

Phone queue wait was absolutely ridiculous

I recognise the pressures facing the NHS, however I found the telephone service quite frustrating. Despite being seventh in the queue, I spent approximately four hours waiting to speak with someone. Having to make multiple attempts to get through felt particularly disappointing. The overall experience left me quite dissatisfied with the accessibility of the service.

Hard to book but helpful when you get through

If you manage to reach someone at the practice (requiring an early morning call, though connections can be difficult), the clinical staff are quite competent. They're courteous and give proper consideration to your health concerns. I'd suggest them if they could improve their booking procedures.

Efficient booking and quick appointments

The most efficient practice I have experienced so far 👍 I am grateful

Long waits and understaffed reception desk

The practice frequently experiences delays with appointments, and there appear to be staffing gaps at reception which impacts the overall service quality.

Staff listened and didn't just say no

The staff members at reception and in the clinical area were pleasant and accommodating, often willing to help with requests. However, there seemed to be a disconnect between what staff could agree to and what the system would ultimately allow. Despite this limitation, the team were friendly and approachable.

Couldn't get through on the phone line

This practice fell well short of expectations. I would recommend considering alternative healthcare providers. The service quality was disappointing and did not meet acceptable standards.

Prescription refused without prior warning given

I have made the decision to leave this practice after being a patient for over three decades. When I attempted to collect my repeat prescription at the pharmacy, I discovered that the practice had declined to issue it until I completed a clinical review appointment. While I recognise the value of such reviews, I felt frustrated that I had not been informed of this requirement beforehand. Finding myself at the pharmacy without my medication was an inconvenient situation. I was disappointed by what felt like an inflexible approach to prescription management, particularly given the nature of my condition and the lack of advance notice provided.

Friendly reception made the visit pleasant

Excellent