The Elms Medical Centre

Terrible medical centre with zero patient respect

To start, I want to recognize the clinic's marginal progress in recent years. The implementation of an automated call queue, the addition of some compassionate and competent administrative staff, and partial integration with the Patient Access app have been minor positive steps. However, advancing from 'absolutely terrible' to merely 'very poor' is unacceptable for a public service. The appointment booking system is fundamentally broken - patients are forced into a phone queue gambling for same-day appointments, which is the only way to secure medical care. Getting a follow-up with the same Doctor who initially ordered tests or made referrals is impossible, requiring patients to repeatedly re-enter the daily appointment lottery. While some administrative staff are kind, professional, and helpful, others can only be described as hostile, treating patients with utter disdain. For this clinic to even approach minimal competence, a comprehensive cultural review and substantial improvement strategy must be implemented, with a complete redesign of the scheduling process to provide patients with genuine choice and flexibility. If you have any alternative, I strongly advise seeking medical care elsewhere: The Elms Medical Centre is nothing short of a healthcare disaster.

Frustrating customer service nightmare with endless waiting

I initiated contact at 8am, inexplicably finding myself already 12th in line. Mysteriously, I was bumped from the queue and had to redial. Eventually, I secured a telephone consultation since in-person meetings weren't available. They assured me of a call before noon, but no one phoned. Given my inability to wait around all day, I stepped out to run errands and consequently missed their 12:45pm call. As a result, I was instructed to restart this frustrating process the following day, repeating the same futile routine.

Friendly staff and convenient telehealth experience

The front desk staff went above and beyond to assist me, and the physician was incredibly accommodating by conducting the consultation remotely. It felt just like an in-person checkup, with the doctor providing a thorough and personal examination. I'm truly grateful to the entire team for their exceptional service.

Fantastic medical care with friendly and skilled team

Every visit has been marked by top-notch care. The front desk team is consistently friendly and accommodating, while the physicians demonstrate exceptional expertise and attentiveness during consultations.

Friendly staff make medical visit a pleasant experience

Medical staff are compassionate and the front desk team is accommodating Communicate with others the way you would appreciate being addressed

Terrible healthcare service that fails patients

Absolutely appalling service, impossible to reach by phone or book an appointment. I attempted to schedule a last-minute visit for my child and was flatly rejected, despite only one patient in the waiting area and just a single doctor on duty. They callously directed me to the walk-in centre instead. What's the purpose of having a general practitioner if they simply redirect you to the emergency room or walk-in clinic?

Weekend blood test tips for better service

Wanted to share some insights to assist others. Initially, I was informed that the next available blood test slot was potentially four weeks away. Drawing from past experience, I knew Prestwich offered weekend services, so I inquired about this option. Surprisingly, I was then told appointments were accessible with just a one-week wait. 1. Proactively ask about weekend blood test appointments to potentially expedite your scheduling (as these might not be voluntarily disclosed). Upon arriving at the Fairfax clinic in Prestwich for my weekend blood test, I was questioned about my labels. Since no one had previously informed me about collecting these from my surgery, I hadn't brought them. Consequently, I was denied the blood test. 2. When scheduling a weekend blood test at an alternative surgery, ensure you obtain and bring your labels (or confirm their necessity beforehand). It seems absurd that the NHS is experiencing such strain, yet an appointment was needlessly squandered. I'm uncertain whether this stems from Fairfax's inflexibility or a lack of proper communication from Elms' reception staff. Peace. Oli.

Worst medical experience ever dangerous and unprofessional

Utterly unacceptable communication (Failure to inform me about my positive blood test), disrespectful front desk personnel, and a clinic that poses serious health risks.

Compassionate staff but terrible reception nightmare

I don't believe this establishment deserves a single-star rating due to the consistently excellent medical professionals. The doctors and nurses have always been top-notch, and I've never encountered any problems with them. Nonetheless, similar to other critical reviews, the front desk personnel are truly appalling. They come across as discourteous and indifferent. If you happen to arrive outside the narrow 7:45 - 8:15 time slot, you're out of luck and won't be seen. Moreover, when you do manage to get through, the reception staff will simply inform you that you can have a telephone consultation instead.

Exceptional medical care through the years

I've been a patient at the Elms for many years, witnessing its evolution over time. Throughout my experience, the medical professionals have consistently been top-notch and reliable. My present general practitioner, Dr Sarfraz, went above and beyond by personally following up with me via phone to check on my health status. Their approach is comprehensive and exceptional. While there have been occasional lapses in front desk service in the past, the current reception team demonstrates professionalism and politeness. Admittedly, securing appointments and prescriptions can be time-consuming, but this is now standard across most healthcare providers, and I'm simply thankful to have a medical practice I can depend on.

Professional care with compassion and understanding

The medical staff at this clinic exemplify true professionalism. Dr. Sarfraz, in particular, demonstrated exceptional care and compassion while addressing my medical concern. Her empathetic approach was crucial in making me feel supported during a time when I felt particularly exposed and sensitive. I am truly grateful.

Exceptional service with top-notch medical attention

Outstanding training session with top-notch attention to detail and patient support.

Exceptional care from a compassionate medical team

Medical professionals at this facility demonstrate exceptional skill, meticulousness, and professionalism. Dr. Sarfaraz stands out in particular, offering compassionate and supportive care precisely when patients require it most.

Caring and efficient medical team saves the day

Extremely bustling medical practice striving to assist patients to the fullest extent possible. Wonderful team members, all incredibly supportive and kind!

Amazing doctor with compassionate care

I am deeply grateful to Dr. Safrza for her invaluable assistance and support.

Worst healthcare experience ever terrible service

Completely revolting experience with staff who seem indifferent and unwelcoming. They appear more interested in avoiding patient care than providing any meaningful medical assistance. The practice's approach is so disorganized that it's impossible to establish continuity of care, as each visit guarantees a different doctor and zero consistent support.

Compassionate care despite hectic medical practice schedule

Despite their hectic schedule, they consistently prioritize patient care and provide excellent guidance, even when appointments are fully booked. Kudos to the entire team for their exceptional dedication 😊👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽

Exceptional care and support from start to finish

Exceptional medical practice with outstanding customer service. Their communication is prompt and responsive via email, and the staff, including the secretary and physicians, are incredibly kind and supportive. A truly delightful healthcare experience!

Terrible healthcare practice with zero compassion

The absolute most terrible surgical experience I've encountered. The front desk staff display appalling attitudes, showing zero empathy or compassion. The recently introduced GP consultation service is an absolute embarrassment. Once this pandemic subsides, I am definitely transferring my entire family to a different medical practice because I'm genuinely terrified about our future health prospects. They consistently ignore my ongoing medical issues and demonstrate complete indifference. Additional update: They've now eliminated their maternity services and have been providing me with fraudulent contact numbers. I'm increasingly worried that I'll be denied any prenatal care, and once again, the staff demonstrate total disregard. This facility deserves to be shut down and represents a total misuse of NHS resources.

Inflexible pharmacy ruined my travel plans

Refused to accommodate my request for an early vaccine, causing me to forfeit $2,000 due to my pre-booked travel plans