The Elms Medical Centre

Wonderful doctors, terrible receptionists at elms

The medical staff are truly compassionate, but the reception team (with a few exceptions) are incredibly frustrating. They treat patient inquiries like an inconvenience, even when you're simply trying to verify a prescription. The ask my GP service's ridiculously short morning window (7:45-8:15) is completely unacceptable. Many people are either still asleep or managing school drop-offs during this time. If you miss this tiny slot and attempt to call later, they dismissively tell you to try again the next day. They discourage online prescription requests, yet the reception signage also warns against phone inquiries. Are patients expected to physically visit the practice every single time they need medication? This approach certainly isn't helping reduce in-person contact during a pandemic! The older receptionists display zero tolerance and communicate with such abruptness that it borders on outright rudeness. Anyone who finds human interaction so challenging should not be working in a customer-facing role. Answering the telephone seems optional to them. I've personally witnessed them ignoring multiple incoming calls while casually chatting among themselves. This is unacceptable professional behavior! They urgently need replacing with competent staff. For anyone seeking quality healthcare, I strongly recommend Radcliffe medical practice. Elms is fundamentally dysfunctional.

Terrible service and unhelpful medical staff nightmare

Absolutely dreadful medical practice in the area, with front desk employees who are completely incompetent at answering calls and appear utterly clueless about their professional responsibilities.

Horrible receptionists ruined my lifelong medical practice

It seems reception staff now believe they're qualified medical professionals, dictating patient access to doctors. They compel you to disclose your medical issue, only to dismiss it as insignificant. I'm absolutely enraged after my interaction with these incredibly incompetent receptionists. Previously, this practice was exceptional under Dr Noone and Dr O'hare, with staff who were warm, compassionate, and consistently supportive. Those days are gone. I've just removed my entire family's registration after being a lifelong patient here. I never want to return and endure the emotional distress caused by these receptionists again. They deserve less than one star, and even that feels overly generous.

Worst customer service ever avoid at all costs

Getting in touch with them is a nightmare - their phone lines are perpetually unanswered, and scheduling an appointment seems like an exercise in futility.

Terrible service and medical negligence from incompetent staff

I've been a patient here for years, and their service is deteriorating rapidly. I called on January 6th about a repeat prescription, then went to the pharmacy last week only to be told they've had nothing for me since November. When I contacted the doctors today, they simply submitted the prescription, claiming I wasn't due for it earlier. But I haven't had my medication since November! It takes forever for them to answer the phone, and when you visit the office, the staff are just sitting around chatting with each other. I'm seriously considering finding a new medical practice.

Helpful staff making positive changes to service

After my recent phone interactions, I wanted to note that the staff appear to be making genuine efforts to enhance their service quality. The updated phone message strikes me as notably clear, supportive, and welcoming, and my specific request for a doctor's letter was processed effectively. I appreciate that patients who prefer or are better suited to telephone communication now have a more straightforward way to wait for their call to be handled. For instance, my mother-in-law, who struggles with dementia, would find it impossible to use the AskMyGP system, so it's commendable that you've made the phone option more accessible and prominent in your message. In this case, I believe the team deserves recognition for their improvements.

Frustrating phone consultation booking nightmare

I attempted to schedule a phone consultation for my daughter and needed to verify if the appointment had been confirmed. I made the request yesterday afternoon, but when I tried calling the medical practice, there was no answer.

Friendly care despite some reception team challenges

The medical staff at this clinic are absolutely wonderful. The front desk personnel could benefit from some additional customer service coaching, recognizing they're dealing with challenging work. If you feel uncomfortable sharing specifics with the receptionist, simply utilize the digital booking app for appointments. Realistically, they have access to your medical history regardless, so there's no real need for extensive explanation. They just require the basic information, not a comprehensive narrative.

Terrible service and unprofessional medical staff

Complete disappointment. The previous front desk staff were warm and supportive. You end up speaking with a nurse rather than a physician, even after explicitly requesting a doctor's consultation. Accessing a doctor seems impossible. When they finally offer a phone consultation, it's at an inconvenient time like 7 PM. Several medical professionals appear completely incompetent and unprofessional!

Exceptional care and support from my gp practice

The medical team and front desk personnel were incredibly supportive and welcoming! I utilized the askmygp platform, which proved to be straightforward and efficient. Sue Goggins contacted me promptly that morning and prescribed antibiotics. She subsequently reached out again to provide additional guidance. Sue was exceptionally kind and attentive throughout our interactions!

Terrible healthcare that puts patients at serious risk

These medical professionals are absolutely terrible. They consistently misdiagnose health issues, prescribe medications that can trigger allergic reactions, fail to connect patients with appropriate physicians, and have unreliable appointment availability. The front desk staff are particularly problematic—consistently brusque and discourteous, often cutting off phone conversations abruptly. Patients frequently feel completely unheard and disregarded during their interactions with this practice.

Terrible reception ruins potential medical experience

Appalling customer service. The medical professionals are competent, but the front desk staff act like they're more qualified than they are and have incredibly poor attitudes. Their job is to schedule appointments, yet they make it unnecessarily complicated. Why am I being forced to use an app when booking should be their responsibility? They seem to forget that personal interaction is part of their role. If everyone switches to digital booking, what purpose do they serve? The receptionists' condescending behavior is completely unacceptable and detracts from the otherwise excellent medical care.

Frustrating service with no real doctor communication

I'm completely frustrated with askmygp's service. I specifically wanted a direct phone consultation with a physician about a medication, but instead, the administrative staff handled my request. It's incredibly annoying. Why can't we simply call and have a conversation with an actual doctor?

Terrible service and complete waste of time

Absolutely the most useless service imaginable. Booking a phone consultation is like navigating an impossible maze, and even after all that effort, they never actually call you back. The front desk staff are nothing but persistent liars, constantly claiming you're scheduled when you're clearly not. I'm eagerly counting down the days until I can switch to a different provider.

Terrible service and zero communication from gp

Absolutely the most terrible general practitioner imaginable. Their phone lines are completely unresponsive. I've been attempting to reach them repeatedly over the last three hours without success, and I wish I could rate them even lower than the minimum possible rating.

Terrible service from the rudest medical receptionists ever

The front desk staff are shockingly unprofessional and dismissive (particularly the heavily tattooed individual who seems more suited to a prison block). When you communicate your needs, they completely disregard you. Repeat your request, and they continue to ignore you. Then they act as if you're an inconvenience for expecting them to perform their basic responsibilities. These employees are truly terrible and reflect poorly on the entire medical practice; however, the real fault lies with management, who permit such abysmal behavior and fail to address the numerous negative reviews. I'm thrilled to be switching to a different medical center. Potential patients should definitely steer clear of this place.

Frustrating medical center with poor communication access

Getting in touch with Elms Medical Centre is an absolute nightmare. They constantly redirect me to askmyGP, but the service hours are incredibly restrictive, only available early in the morning, which effectively makes it inaccessible for individuals like myself who struggle to be awake at those times. Moreover, even when I attempt to use askmyGP during their stated online hours, I'm perpetually greeted with an offline message, rendering communication virtually impossible.

Mixed experience with caring staff and terrible reception

The medical professionals at this facility are absolutely wonderful and demonstrate incredible empathy, but the front desk personnel are shockingly unprofessional! They consistently interrupt patients attempting to communicate important information and their attitude makes it abundantly clear that they're far more interested in chatting among themselves than providing any meaningful assistance. You should consider yourself fortunate if they even acknowledge your presence, let alone help you 👍

Helpful but communication needs serious improvement

Still awaiting a response despite previously being quite cooperative

Frustrating access but great care once inside

Getting hold of this medical practice is incredibly challenging. Their online booking platform exists but is convoluted and lacks clear guidance. Despite searching extensively, I couldn't locate a reception email address, even though staff suggested emailing them. Once you actually manage to get an appointment, the doctors are excellent and the physiotherapy service is truly outstanding. However, the initial access is so problematic that I frequently find myself seeking alternative walk-in clinics out of sheer frustration.