Patient Experience Summary

Patient feedback reveals a practice with significant operational challenges alongside pockets of positive care. Appointment access remains a persistent concern, with patients reporting difficulties reaching the practice by phone, extended waiting times for available slots, and delays in securing consultations. Communication barriers are evident, including phone system failures, unresponsive callback systems, and inconsistent follow-up on requests. Reception experience is mixed, with some patients praising courteous and helpful staff while others describe discourteous interactions and poor responsiveness to patient concerns.

Where the practice receives consistent praise is in the quality of clinical care itself. Patients highlight compassionate doctors, responsive medical professionals, and thorough consultations that justify extended wait times for some. Prescription processing and administrative follow-up remain problematic areas, with patients reporting delays and lack of coordination. The booking system is frequently criticised as disorganised and difficult to navigate, particularly for those with non-traditional working hours.

Recent improvements in online booking and same-day appointment availability are noted by some patients, suggesting the practice is attempting to address longstanding access issues. However, the overall pattern indicates that while clinical care quality is valued, systemic problems with appointment availability, phone accessibility, and administrative responsiveness continue to frustrate a significant portion of the patient population.

Appointment

28.91 %
Bad

Reception

32.18 %
Bad

Cleanliness

65.00 %
Great

Care

42.73 %
Poor

Respect

35.27 %
Poor

Seen on time

31.64 %
Bad

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SK

Soran K. Google 4 months ago

Rating

Excellent!

Staff took time to explain everything clearly

I had a truly excellent experience at this surgery. From the very beginning, I felt confident and well cared for. The clinician was highly professional, knowledgeable, and took the time to explain everything clearly and thoroughly. All my questions were answered with patience and care, which made me feel completely reassured. The team members were welcoming, respectful, and very supportive throughout the entire process. The clinic was clean, well-organized, and managed efficiently. I highly recommend this surgery to anyone looking for trustworthy, high-quality medical care. Thank you to the clinician and the entire team for your outstanding service.

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SN

Ste N. Google 9 months ago

Rating

Bad!

Frustrating prescription delay drives patient crazy

I've been attempting to get a prescription approved for nearly a week now. I've inquired with reception three separate times about any potential issues. On the fifth day, the receptionist finally claimed they would mark the request as urgent. However, upon checking, the prescription remains unapproved. This means I'll have been waiting 8 days for a simple doctor's approval for a medication I've been taking for years - it's not even a new prescription. Typically, the pharmacy processes these requests within two days at most. Ten days to receive a repeat prescription seems ridiculous. Am I being unreasonable to find this completely unacceptable? I've explicitly informed them that I'm critically low on medication, but my concerns seem to have fallen on deaf ears. It feels like I'm repeatedly hitting my head against a brick wall with no progress. I've been a patient at this surgery for 68 years, and I can confidently say the service quality has dramatically declined over the past two years.

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MA

Maggie A. Google 10 months ago

Rating

Excellent!

Smooth service with caring staff and doctor

Rushed to make the early morning appointment. Their callback system is efficient. Got seen the same day. The receptionist was incredibly friendly and accommodating. The doctor was excellent - personable and professional. Overall, a comforting and positive medical visit. David Allen.

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SS

Sam S. Google one year ago

Rating

Excellent!

Exceptional service that truly exceeds all expectations

The team consistently demonstrates exceptional service and commitment during each encounter.

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CH

Cloe H. Google one year ago

Rating

Bad!

Discriminatory care left me feeling deeply hurt

This medical procedure appears potentially discriminatory or unsafe for LGBTQ+ patients.

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DW

Diane W. Google one year ago

Rating

Bad!

Terrible medical care that left me frustrated

Terrible medical practice with unprofessional personnel. I had to repeatedly contact them just to obtain the right medication, and when I sent a complaint email, they didn't even bother to respond. As someone who works in customer service, I recognize subpar service, and this surgery is absolutely unacceptable.

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HB

Hayley B. Google one year ago

Rating

Excellent!

Exceptional service that truly exceeds expectations

Consistently exceeds expectations and goes the extra mile

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JH

Jayne H. Google one year ago

Rating

Bad!

Terrible service causing dangerous medication delays

ZERO STAR!!!! SHOCKING SERVICE On February 12th, I visited the clinic last Friday regarding a shared protocol for my RA methotrexate administration. Despite being told they have two admin staff, it appears no doctor has even glanced at the protocol letter, which was sent months ago. The receptionist claimed they urgently emailed the letter, but when I called today, suddenly there's no trace of the letter or protocol—absolutely nothing. This medical practice is absolutely unbelievable 😳! How can they consistently fail so spectacularly? It's completely unacceptable to keep patients waiting for critical medication and give them the runaround. Now I'll have to personally deliver the letter I was copied on because they can't get anything right whatsoever. OM...G!!! The service is terrible. I understand being busy, but their patient access is a nightmare—no same-day appointments, no callback option, just endless engaged tones until appointments are gone. I called struggling to breathe and was told by a receptionist I couldn't have an inhaler—since when can a receptionist make medical decisions? I received zero guidance about getting help, despite being sick for ten consecutive days and deteriorating. Eventually, 111 advised me, revealing that doctors keep appointments for such referrals—information I was never told. 111 immediately sent me to the hospital, and now I'm at Bardoc because they believe I need medical attention. I am absolutely disgusted by this practice's service.

The Junction Surgery

2 years ago

We are sorry that you've had a bad experience with our surgery. Thank you for you feedback. We are sorry you've found access to appointments online to be sporadic. We try to give online access to half of our available same day appointments, but these do unfortunately get used very quickly each day. Regarding our phone system, we removed our queuing system due to complaints from patients about being cut off. The current system is failing everyone (patients and staff), but we are having to work with the system we have. We are having a new phone system implemented soon (currently half way through installation). Regarding your presenting issue with feeling breathless we will look into this. I'm sorry that this hasn't been looked into sooner. If you could, please email us with further information. Email is [email protected]

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SR

S. R. Google one year ago

Rating

Bad!

Negligent care leads to life-threatening medical disaster

For six years, my medical records showed elevated cholesterol levels, yet the healthcare providers took no action until I suffered a heart attack. This is the sorry state of our local NHS - truly a National Horror Service. I'm frustrated and would gladly seek alternative care, but it seems all practices are equally negligent. It's deeply disappointing that an institution I've trusted for six decades has deteriorated to the point of being completely unrecognizable from its former self.

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RW

Rachel W. Google one year ago

Rating

Bad!

Terrible healthcare that fails vulnerable elderly patients

Absolutely appalling service deserving of zero recognition. Securing adequate medical attention for my homebound, critically ill grandmother has been an unending nightmare. The staff consistently demonstrate complete indifference, spinning contradictory narratives to avoid conducting home visits. Both administrative and medical personnel seem content to ignore consultant recommendations, essentially abandoning patients who are struggling. Their callous attitude suggests they're utterly unbothered by potentially fatal consequences of their negligence. The level of unprofessionalism is staggering - they appear willing to let patients deteriorate without intervention. This prolonged ordeal has been emotionally devastating, with zero progress despite our persistent efforts. Anyone wanting to prevent their loved one from experiencing a slow, agonizing decline should steer clear of this utterly incompetent medical practice. The suffering and frustration are beyond description.

The Junction Surgery

one year ago

Thank you for taking the time to share your concerns. We are deeply sorry to hear about your experience and the distress it has caused you, your grandmother, and other family members. Ensuring the wellbeing of our patients is always our top priority, and we are saddened to learn that you feel this hasn’t been the case. The situation you describe is concerning, and we would like to investigate further to understand what has happened and how we can address your concerns. However, we must also clarify that we are committed to providing care and support to all our patients, and the suggestion that our staff—both clinical and administrative—would be indifferent to someone’s suffering is a statement we cannot accept lightly. To help us fully understand the specifics of this situation and take the necessary steps, we kindly ask that you contact us directly. The best way to do this is by completing the complaints form on our website (https://junctionsurgery.nhs.uk/your-complaint). This will allow us to gather all the relevant details and investigate thoroughly. We value all feedback as it helps us improve our services and address any shortcomings. Please know that we take your concerns seriously and are here to help. Sincerely, James (Practice Manager)

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NH

Nic H. Google one year ago

Rating

Bad!

Disappointing decline in care and compassion

The medical facilities at Alkrington and Junction have significantly deteriorated following the retirement of the previous partner physicians. Unlike Dr. Thomason, who was attentive and patient, the new partner GP comes across as dismissive, condescending, and uninterested in truly hearing patients' concerns. This approach has made medical appointments feel like an anxiety-inducing experience. In a particularly troubling incident, a letter was drafted regarding a vulnerable family member that contained inaccurate information and was not grounded in their actual medical documentation. After maintaining a long-standing relationship with this practice for more than two decades, I've concluded it's necessary to seek out a different healthcare provider.

The Junction Surgery

one year ago

Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts. We’re truly sorry to hear that your recent experiences with the practice have not met your expectations, especially after being a patient with us for over 20 years. We greatly value your loyalty and take your feedback seriously. We understand how important it is to feel listened to and supported, and it’s disappointing to learn that you feel this hasn’t been the case. Regarding your comments about a letter for your family member, we would like to look into this further to understand what happened and ensure any errors or miscommunications are addressed. We aim to provide compassionate and high-quality care to all our patients and regret that your experience has made you feel otherwise. To help us improve and investigate the concerns you’ve raised, we encourage you to contact us directly using the complaints form on our website (https://junctionsurgery.nhs.uk/your-complaint). This will enable us to gather all the necessary details and work towards resolving any issues. Thank you again for your feedback. We are committed to learning and improving and hope to have the opportunity to restore your confidence in our practice. Sincerely, James (Practice Manager)

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BH

Billie H. Google one year ago

Rating

Excellent!

Compassionate and quick medical support during tough times

Got a medical certificate quickly after experiencing an unexpected loss, and they took care of me right away. Though I'm not a frequent patient, this practice has consistently been reliable and helpful.

The Junction Surgery

one year ago

Thank you for your positive review. We are sorry for your loss, but are glad we were able to help. We are always trying to improve, so if you ever have any feedback, don't hesitate to contact us. We have a feedback and complaints section at the bottom of our website (junctionsurgery.nhs.uk) Kind regards James (Practice Manager)

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JH

Jayne H. Google one year ago

Rating

Great!

Fantastic healthcare with exceptional patient care service

From my previous encounter to now, this medical practice has significantly enhanced its services. The communication channels have been revamped, and they go above and beyond to secure same-day consultations, even if that means referring you to alternative locations. I received a callback after noon with an appointment in Heywood, and they even followed up via email. The level of care and efficiency is truly remarkable. I'm thoroughly impressed and encourage them to maintain this exceptional standard of service.

The Junction Surgery

one year ago

Thank you for your kind review and rating. We are glad that you have seen improvement in our service and we hope this improvement continues. Please get in touch if you have any suggestions or feedback, our email is [email protected] Thanks James (Practice Manager)

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AA

Andrew A. Google 2 years ago

Rating

Bad!

Terrible service from disrespectful and dishonest staff

Treated with absolute disrespect! Refused to provide services they're legally required to deliver! A manager who dismisses concerns and resorts to dishonesty when confronted! What a disappointment, this practice has completely fallen from its previous standards.

The Junction Surgery

2 years ago

We are sorry that you've had a bad experience using our surgery. Please contact the surgery using our email [email protected] or by phoning 0161 383 9975. We need your full details in order to access call logs as no patient should be spoken to in the manner you describe. You are stating that we have declined contractual services - please get in touch regarding this as I'm sure this is a misunderstanding. We have had some issues regarding travel vaccinations recently and have updated our processes and made sure all staff are aware of what we can and can't do. I'm assuming this comment relates to that service. Please see https://junctionsurgery.nhs.uk/travel-health for our process. We cannot comment on complaints placed directly with ourselves, but we respond directly via telephone to all complaints, so if you have a complaint placed directly with us we will have attempted to make contact with you on multiple occasions (please check your voicemail if this is the case). We do not ignore complaints and we do our utmost to be available to patients and will listen to issues and address them to the best of our ability. Once again, we are sorry that you have had a bad experience with our surgery. Please get in contact directly either via telephone or email as set out above and we will do our utmost to address your issues.

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CK

Christine K. Google 2 years ago

Rating

Excellent!

Friendly staff make this place absolutely wonderful

I've consistently had positive interactions with the staff, who have always been delightful. I believe any negative reviews are unfair, and I encourage people to give the employees a fair chance. They're doing their best with the tools available to them. Remember, life is too brief to dwell on negativity - maintain a positive mental attitude.

The Junction Surgery

2 years ago

Thank you so much for your positive review. We try to give the best service we possibly can and I am glad that this has been your experience. If there is anything we can do in future to help, or if there are changes you feel would help, please do not hesitate to get in touch. Kind regards James (Practice Manager)

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KW

Kris W. Google 2 years ago

Rating

Bad!

Worst medical experience ever with terrible customer service

Have to submit one star since the system requires it After spending 2.5 hours on the phone attempting to schedule a follow-up appointment for our child, we were disconnected while next in line. Consequently, we had to visit in person, only to be informed of a 4-week waiting period - completely unacceptable. We finally secured an appointment for our daughter, arriving at the surgery by 8am, only to be redirected to another location in Alkirington. The situation became even more absurd. Upon arrival, we were told to expect a 30-minute wait due to an earlier emergency (our 4:20pm appointment is now past 6:15pm, and we're still waiting). Why haven't the reception staff demonstrated the basic courtesy of communicating these delays? It's inconceivable that patients would be tolerated if they arrived two hours late for an appointment! We will definitely be changing medical practices after this complete mismanagement. Frankly, children could organize this more professionally than the supposed "experts" at reception! From examining previous reviews, it's clear this isn't an isolated incident, and despite promises made to another reviewer two months ago, their booking system remains fundamentally broken.

The Junction Surgery

2 years ago

Thank you for your feedback. I am sorry that you have had this experience trying to book an appointment. I am unsure what exactly happened when you have tried to get through via telephone. On the whole the new system is working well, with patients giving positive feedback directly to reception and clinicians. With that said, no system is perfect and there are always glitches. Occasionally users lose signal which may cause the line to be cut off, or likewise cables can come lose and potentially cause a call to drop. I do not know what has happened on this occasion, but we can look into this further if you log this directly with us providing name and dialling number etc. Regarding your experience actually trying to book an appointment, I'd like to look into this further, but will need details so we can investigate on our clinical system. Reception should always endeavour to ensure any minors are either seen by an appropriate service or triaged by a GP. Regarding the experience on the day, I will pass on this feedback to the reception and we will discuss options for notifying patients when a GP is running late. Although you are correct, we would be unlikely to see a patient that turned up 2 hours late, we would wouldn't strike a patient from the list for this. That is reserved for very specific instances such as threats of violence etc. Once again I am sorry that you have had this experience and that you feel you must move surgeries. We want our surgery to provide the best possible care and service to patients and are trying to improve. If you write to us with your details/your child's details we will investigate the system and try to establish what has happened on our side. Kind regards James (Practice Manager)

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HR

Haider R. Google 2 years ago

Rating

Bad!

Terrible customer service that wastes my time

I'm not typically one to leave feedback, but I feel compelled to do so now. Their customer support is completely unresponsive - attempting to reach them by phone is an exercise in futility, as they consistently fail to answer regardless of when you try to contact them. The level of service is utterly unacceptable.

The Junction Surgery

2 years ago

Thank you for your feedback. We are sorry that you have had this experience. We have recently switched to a new phone system (18/01/2024). We hope the new system which includes call queuing and patient callback will improve access for our patients. The system also includes call recording and reporting so our management team and senior receptionists can have a greater awareness of the demand and issues patients and staff are facing. Please let us know if you are still having issues getting through, or if the change has been a positive one. All feedback is appreciated and discussed. Kind regards James (Practice Manager)

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JS

Julian S. Google 2 years ago

Rating

Bad!

Frustrating communication with patch medical service

I'm constantly unable to connect. Whenever I send an email, their response instructs me to call, but their phone lines are just as frustrating as their junction service center.

The Junction Surgery

2 years ago

Thank you for your feedback. We are sorry that you have had issues getting through. We have ongoing problems with our phone system but are in the process of moving to a new provider and hope that this switch will improve things. With regards "ring patch". I think you have likely been asked to contact us via PATCHS which is an online consultation service which many patients have positive experience with (average rating 4.5 out of 5 stars). To use PATCHS go to https://patchs.ai/practice/junctionsurgery/ or follow the link on the appointment page of our website. We recommend PATCHS as our clinicians can access information on there quickly, and can file data straight to the patient record quickly and effectively. Many patients have their health issues reviewed directly with the GP via this online text consultation and have treatment or examinations directly arranged by the GP. For this reason it is preferable to email communication. Once again, we are sorry that you've had a bad experience trying to get through. If you would like us to specifically investigate an event, email the practice directly to complain so we can investigate further. If you continue struggling to get through and PATCHS isn't an option, another option would be to attend the surgery and our reception team will do whatever they can to help.

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VJ

Vicky J. Google 2 years ago

Rating

Poor!

Worst customer service ever nightmare phone experience

Attempting to connect via phone is an absolute nightmare. I wasted an entire day attempting to reach them, continuously encountering the same automated message about "high call volume" which persisted from morning until evening, spanning from 8am straight through to 5pm.

The Junction Surgery

2 years ago

We are sorry that you've had a bad experience with our surgery. Thank you for you feedback. The phone system is a major problem for us. We are moving to a new system soon which should hopefully resolve these issues, but until then we are doing our best to work with what we have. Our reception staff are regularly informed of the feedback from patients and we are doing our utmost to ensure staff give priority to dealing with calls. We are also trying to give patients other options for contact. Our updated website (www.junctionsurgery.nhs.uk) has several forms for different issues which patients can use without having to call the surgery. We also have a system call PATCHS which we are trying to encourage more patients to use (https://patchs.ai/practice/junctionsurgery/).

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SS

Samantha S. Google 2 years ago

Rating

Bad!

Terrible medical care leaving patient frustrated and ignored

Complete waste of medical professionals. I've visited this practice three times regarding my hypertension, and they've done absolutely nothing to address or improve my condition.

The Junction Surgery

2 years ago

We are sorry that you've had a bad experience with our surgery. Thank you for you feedback. I'm sorry that this hasn't been looked into sooner. If you could, please email us with further information. Email is [email protected]

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Practice Response Rate
63.33%

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About the GP

  • Accepts all feedback, both positive and negative.

Contact Information

  • 0161 6557478
  • The Junction Surgery 346 Grimshaw Lane Middleton Junction Middleton, Manchester M24 2AU

Patient Experience Summary

Patient feedback reveals a practice with significant operational challenges alongside pockets of positive care. Appointment access remains a persistent concern, with patients reporting difficulties reaching the practice by phone, extended waiting times for available slots, and delays in securing consultations. Communication barriers are evident, including phone system failures, unresponsive callback systems, and inconsistent follow-up on requests. Reception experience is mixed, with some patients praising courteous and helpful staff while others describe discourteous interactions and poor responsiveness to patient concerns.

Where the practice receives consistent praise is in the quality of clinical care itself. Patients highlight compassionate doctors, responsive medical professionals, and thorough consultations that justify extended wait times for some. Prescription processing and administrative follow-up remain problematic areas, with patients reporting delays and lack of coordination. The booking system is frequently criticised as disorganised and difficult to navigate, particularly for those with non-traditional working hours.

Recent improvements in online booking and same-day appointment availability are noted by some patients, suggesting the practice is attempting to address longstanding access issues. However, the overall pattern indicates that while clinical care quality is valued, systemic problems with appointment availability, phone accessibility, and administrative responsiveness continue to frustrate a significant portion of the patient population.

Appointment

28.91 %
Bad

Reception

32.18 %
Bad

Cleanliness

65.00 %
Great

Care

42.73 %
Poor

Respect

35.27 %
Poor

Seen on time

31.64 %
Bad
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