The Garth Surgery

Terrible

I Tried getting an appointment on the morning. Was told that the pharmacy can administer medication without prescription so to go to them, was told by the pharmacy to book back in with the doctor, I tried booking in with the doctor and they said all their morning appointments had now Gone. And to try e consultant. I did as advised and got no response. I called reception to check on my e consultation. All I was told was that I’m on the list. The doctor will get through his list In Due course. The doctors surgery is now closed. I’ve never found it so difficult to actually see a doctor before. I won’t be recommending Garth surgery to anybody. Absolutely terrible service.

Waiting room disrupted by other patients' behaviour

This practice is excellent aside from occasional challenging patient behaviour that can create tension in the waiting area. Seeing people become upset about appointment timing and raise their voices with staff isn't ideal 😎

Couldn't get through on the phone

I had a very disappointing experience.

Reception staff could be warmer and more helpful

Most of the team are excellent, though one receptionist came across as rather unfriendly and lacking in warmth.

Communication between staff and patients needs improvement

The surgery's standard of service appears to have declined compared to previous years. The appointment system is problematic and there seem to be issues with how information is conveyed between clinical staff and patients. On several occasions, I have either received incorrect messages or been unaware that prescriptions were ready for collection because notifications from the clinical team did not reach me as they should have.

Struggling to book same-day appointments here

Same-day appointments are extremely difficult to obtain as they are reserved exclusively for urgent cases, which means the health service has effectively become an emergency-focused operation rather than a comprehensive care provider. Significant systemic changes are needed within the NHS.

Hard to get appointments without long waits

The team members are pleasant and accommodating overall. Securing an appointment can be challenging if you're unable to wait several weeks. The administrative and clinical staff appear to manage the practice effectively and perform well. It appears that some medical practitioners work on a part-time basis.

Long phone waits and unhelpful reception staff

Awful experience when trying to arrange care for my young child who requires ongoing medication. The service was disappointing, with unhelpful communication from staff over the phone and an unexpectedly lengthy wait for necessary paperwork to be processed. It's frustrating to see such delays in what should be a straightforward process.

Quick appointment with helpful staff

The appointment was prompt upon arrival at the surgery, which was not overcrowded. The clinical staff were consistently supportive and attentive throughout the visit.

Appointment chaos and long waits here

If you appreciate being scheduled for overlapping appointments and being turned away despite arranging time away from work, or spending an hour waiting because your clinician runs behind schedule, this would be an ideal choice for you 🤦‍♂️

Waiting weeks for telephone consultations isn't good enough

I have found my experience with this surgery increasingly disappointing over the past year. While I recognise that everyone has faced challenges, I have not received a callback from a clinician since October 2020. I am frustrated that telephone consultations are being offered with a week's wait, as this timeframe does not always work around my schedule as a key worker. I would appreciate clarity on why in-person appointments are no longer being provided. If appropriate protective measures are being used by both patients and clinical staff, I struggle to understand the reasoning behind this decision. The pandemic should not continue to be cited as justification, particularly when protective equipment is being worn.

Clean surgery with helpful and friendly staff

The practice was well-maintained with considerate staff members. The facility demonstrated good hygiene standards and implemented appropriate health and safety measures.

Staff really went the extra mile for me

Consistently demonstrates a willingness to go above and beyond in providing assistance.

Thorough care from a friendly team

Excellent practice. The entire team, including reception, clinical support staff, nursing team and medical professionals, demonstrated thoroughness, warmth and genuine care throughout my visit.

Couldn't get through on the phone

One star - this is the worst medical practice I have ever attended, though I would have preferred not to rate it at all.

Appointment waits are frustratingly long here

The surgery and its staff provide excellent care. However, obtaining an appointment can be challenging, as availability is often limited and waiting times frequently exceed a week. This difficulty appears to stem from increased demand in the local area. Additionally, the car park has become increasingly congested and difficult to navigate. It seems that local development decisions have not adequately accounted for the impact on community services and facilities, including the strain placed on the local medical practice.