The Junction Surgery
Poor! (60 reviews)
Poor! (60 reviews)
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
Reception
Cleanliness
Care
Respect
Seen on time
Respond to patient reviews
Monitor satisfaction trends
Generate CQC evidence reports
Claim & Manage ProfileShows how often this practice responds to patient reviews and feedback.
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
Reception
Cleanliness
Care
Respect
Seen on time
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Delly G.
4 years ago
Excellent!
Exceptional healthcare with compassionate doctors and staff
These medical professionals are truly exceptional, genuinely invested in patient well-being. They never dismiss your concerns and always take the time to truly hear you out. Every single doctor here is remarkable. The front desk team is incredibly courteous and compassionate, and the nursing staff is equally impressive. The level of care I experience at this practice is absolutely top-notch.
The Junction Surgery
3 years agoThank you so much for your review. If there is ever anything we can do to help or improve, please get in touch. Kind regards, Junction Surgery
Ghost R.
4 years ago
Bad!
Nightmare surgery scheduling with endless frustrating calls
Absolutely terrible surgical experience. Their morning phone line disconnected me twice, and I was left waiting on hold for over 40 minutes. Every single time I attempt to secure an urgent appointment, they're completely booked. Completely frustrating and unacceptable service.
The Junction Surgery
3 years agoThank you for your feedback. We are sorry to hear that your experience has not met your satisfaction. Kind regards, Junction Surgery
Luan B.
4 years ago
Bad!
Terrible customer service ruins my entire morning
Been stuck on hold multiple times today, and each call gets disconnected without warning - extremely frustrating customer service experience with your phone support system
The Junction Surgery
4 years agoApologies Luan, we have been having a variety of telephony issues over the last few months. IT and Virgin Media are currently investigating and we hope this will be resolved soon. Thank you for taking the time to log your feedback here, and once again please accept our apologies for this experience. We hope it will be resolved soon.
Karen L.
5 years ago
Excellent!
Exceptional service beyond my wildest expectations
The staff at this place are absolutely incredible. They consistently exceed expectations, and I am deeply grateful for their exceptional service.
The Junction Surgery
5 years agoThank you so much for your review Karen. If there is ever anything we can do to help or improve, please get in touch.
G (.
5 years ago
Average!
Frustrating phone service with zero communication
Unable to connect via phone call for two weeks straight. I cannot utilize an alternative mobile device since I lack a backup phone. Currently tied to the 3 network.
The Junction Surgery
5 years agoApologies, major issues with the phone system affecting us and several other surgeries. IT and Virgin looking into as a matter of high priority.
Emma B.
5 years ago
Bad!
Prescription nightmare at pharmacy left me exhausted
The process of obtaining my prescription has been incredibly exasperating, requiring four separate attempts to collect it. I've interacted with multiple staff members who consistently failed to follow through on their promises. This resulted in three completely unproductive visits to the pharmacy, each time finding my inhaler was not available. Typically, my prescription is electronically sent to my preferred pharmacy, but on this occasion it was printed instead. Despite being assured multiple times that the issue would be resolved, nothing changed on two separate instances. I'm not someone who regularly writes critical reviews, but the significant stress and frustration this has caused compels me to speak up. My sincere hope is that sharing this experience will encourage improved practices and demonstrate more consideration for patients.
The Junction Surgery
5 years agoHi Emma, really sorry to hear about this experience that you've had. Could you please contact the surgery via letter or email so that we can investigate? Details of who you spoke to and when, and also your registered info (though please don't share them here in order to protect your confidentiality) will help us find out whats gone wrong. Staff should always see things through if they have said they will do something, and if there have been issues they should be openly communicated. - James, Project Manager
Sam C.
6 years ago
Bad!
Worst medical experience ever terrible service
Absolutely dreadful facility... and equally awful medical staff... scheduling an appointment is an endless ordeal and the front desk personnel show zero concern for patients... I'm definitely seeking alternative healthcare providers. I required stitch removal, and they redirected me 30 minutes away for a procedure I ultimately performed myself. I needed follow-up care after a problematic surgical procedure, and despite repeated phone attempts, no one responded. When you actually arrive, the place is either completely deserted or the staff are just gossiping among themselves.
The Junction Surgery
5 years agoWe are sorry that you have had a bad experience with our surgery. I am unaware of the specific issues you have had, but can state that stitch removals are not carried out by our surgery, and are instead normally done elsewhere. This is the case with our surgery and many in the area, and has been this way for at least 10 years. Post op issues should definitely be discussed with your hopsital consultant. With regards to reception and phones, our reception staff do care for each individual patients needs, and I can only apologise that this wasn't how it felt in your experience. Our phones have had several issues in the past few years, and we are constantly trying to improve the system when it is possible contractually to do so. We hope that you have been able to find a clinic that you are happy with, but if you have remained a patient at our surgery, please write to us with your complaint and details so we can properly investigate and discuss matters with you directly.
Christine H.
6 years ago
Excellent!
Excellent care at junction surgery despite online complaints
I recently browsed the website to find an address for a document I'm filling out and was taken aback by the abundance of critical feedback. In contrast to these comments, my personal experience has been consistently positive. The front desk staff at the Junction surgery have always struck me as courteous, compassionate, and supportive. I genuinely commend their performance, especially considering the challenging environment they often work in.
The Junction Surgery
6 years agoThank you so much for your nice comment and review. We will be sure to share it with our staff.
Mike L.
6 years ago
Bad!
Dangerous negligence led to missed cancer diagnoses
We abandoned this medical practice around 3-4 years back due to their significant error in postponing my wife's ovarian cancer diagnosis. Personally, I consulted them 5 years ago regarding a concerning mole on my torso, and they casually assured me it looked fine, suggesting I return only if it enlarged. Despite the mole remaining unchanged, a recent biopsy has revealed it to be Malignant Melanoma. These aging physicians clearly need to step down, as they are demonstrably incompetent. The simple task of referring me to a dermatologist was apparently too much effort, and I suspect the doctor was reluctant to complete the necessary referral paperwork.
The Junction Surgery
6 years agoSorry to hear that about both you and your wife. We hope that you have since had/are currently getting the best treatment possible. I cannot comment on why a referral wasn't done at the time due to the amount of time that has passed. We would need your consent to re-access any electronic records to even look at this. I can however state that all of our GPs work diligently to ensure correct local NHS policy and NICE guidance is followed for any referrals, including for suspected cancer, and the suggestion that one of our GPs wouldn't refer because they couldn't be bothered is quite serious. Any time a cancer diagnosis could've been made earlier a GP should be notified so that they can review their actions to see if they did all they could have done. If you would like us to investigate this further please write to us with your consent to access your medical records and contact info to investigate further.
Catherine H.
7 years ago
Bad!
Terrible healthcare experience leaves patient feeling hopeless
The front desk staff are completely unhelpful. They only seem to engage when you're utterly frustrated. The physicians completely disregard patient concerns and insights. I'm taking metformin, which is known to potentially impact vitamin B12 absorption. It's obvious that medical "normal" ranges aren't universal and can vary between individuals. Do they make any effort to investigate or try a potential solution? Absolutely not. Instead, they send you away feeling just as awful and unheard as when you first arrived. Zero assistance, zero compassion.
The Junction Surgery
6 years agoWe are sorry that you've had a bad experience using our surgery. Normally our staff will do everything they can to help. If would like to discuss specific details, please contact the Practice Manager (whilst I can look into some of your review, I cannot disclose info here due to data protection). I hope that the situation with your B12 levels was resolved. Please do not hesitate to book in with a GP if you feel that your current treatment isn't working. - James, Project Manager
Christine B.
7 years ago
Great!
Exceptional care from a trusted medical team
I've been receiving medical care at this practice for nearly three decades and firmly believe that finding physicians as compassionate would be challenging. While I acknowledge the extended wait times for appointments, I also recognize that the duration is justified by the exceptional quality of the medical consultation. I deeply value the comprehensive support provided to both myself and my family, and I'm confident this medical practice stands out as one of the finest in the region.
The Junction Surgery
6 years agoThank you for your review. Waiting times can be an issue, but most of our GPs will always try to ensure all presenting issues are dealt with (which can be very difficult to do in the NHS standard 10 minute appointment slot), and we are very glad that you have found this to be the case. We are glad that you have had positive experience with our surgery. We will continue to try and find solutions to reduce waiting times, but if there is ever anything else we can do to improve, please let us know. - James, Project Manager
Charlotte S.
7 years ago
Bad!
Terrible wait time ruined my entire day
Sat in the waiting room for a full two hours past my scheduled time. My 12:10 pm appointment turned into a 2:15 pm consultation. I'm experiencing intense physical pain and significant emotional strain, and I've had to cancel my work commitments, resulting in financial loss. Absolutely avoid this place!
The Junction Surgery
7 years agoWe are sorry that you have had a bad experience at one of our surgeries. There have been long delays today which we can only apologise for. Usually clinics are delayed when GPs have emergencies or when patients present with complicated/multiple problems that require more time to thoroughly investigate. We cannot provide a direct response/investigate as the name you have used here doesn't belong to anyone booked in for an appointment today (please note that we are located in Middleton, Greater Manchester - not sure if this review was intended for the Junction Surgery, Huddersfield?). If you would like to discuss this directly, please contact the surgery and ask to speak with a manager; or write directly to us so that we can fully look into this and speak with the health care worker involved before responding.
Ghettodee0097 G.
7 years ago
Bad!
Unprofessional doctors mixing faith with medical care
Dr. Thomason and Dr. Martin seem all too eager to impose their religious beliefs on patients. It's astonishing that they haven't faced professional disciplinary action for such inappropriate conduct.
The Junction Surgery
7 years agoGood morning I am sorry that you have been offended by something. It is true that Dr Thomason and Dr Martin do not hide their faith and beliefs, but they do not preach their religion to patients. Where patients themselves have a faith then in some instances it may be appropriate to discuss these things. But they would not preach their religion to those of different beliefs. I am curious as to what prompted this review today as both doctors are currently on annual leave? The doctors do have a few leaflets up for local churches etc., but as far as I'm aware there is nothing preachy. If you have specific examples we would be grateful if you could log your complaint with us at the surgery using the forms available in reception so that we can investigate thoroughly. Kindest regards -James, Project Manager
Peter K.
7 years ago
Bad!
Broken nhs system fails another frustrated patient
I've recently switched to a new medical practice, but they're just as disappointing as my previous one. They sent me a text about an NHS health check, yet when I attempted to schedule, I was informed no appointments were available for a fortnight. What's the purpose of sending such an invitation? For those without work commitments, waiting two weeks might be acceptable, but it's completely impractical for working individuals. I'm about to be on holiday for the next 10 days, and they can't accommodate my schedule. The entire system is fundamentally broken. As I can't directly reply, I'll note that while I appreciate your response, James, the system clearly favors those not working. I recognize you see the same patients repeatedly. I was invited for a health screening at 40 but couldn't secure an appointment then either. In the subsequent 8 years, I've likely visited the doctor once or twice. I'm not on vacation, just off work for 10 days, and it's deeply problematic that I can't get an appointment during this period. I've contributed to the system for 33 years while barely using it, unlike others who frequently abuse its resources. There must be a more equitable approach, perhaps with some discretionary flexibility for genuine cases. Thanks again for your response, but I'm genuinely frustrated by a system that's been consistently unhelpful throughout my entire adult life. I'll attempt to schedule my 60th birthday check-up - if I'm still around. Cheers.
The Junction Surgery
7 years agoHi Pete, we are sorry that you are displeased with the service on offer. Unfortunately we have had a couple of nurses and HCAs off over the last few weeks and as such there is a slight wait for our longer appointments (health checks are 20-30 mins). When you are back from holiday perhaps you could check to see if there is a sooner appointment. With regards to sending texts to patients, we are required by the NHS offer the health check to all of our eligible patients. This can be quite a difficult task as we have over 2000 patients eligible for the check, so where we can we try to send invites out via text message. You can contact the surgery at any time to arrange an appointment but there will be times when there is a wait for the longer appointments (summer holidays, Christmas & New Year, Easter) due to lower staff availability. Once again we are sorry that you are displeased with the service. -James, Project Manager
Courtney (.
7 years ago
Bad!
Terrible service and impossible to book appointments
Complete disappointment. Scheduling an appointment is a nightmare that drags on for days or even weeks. I've spent nearly half an hour on hold, from 7:55am to 8:25am, without getting any response to my calls. This medical practice is a total farce, with receptionists who seem to do nothing but gossip while completely ignoring incoming phone calls!! Steer clear of this place at all costs.
The Junction Surgery
7 years agoPlease accept our apologies for this morning, we had a major service disruption with phones down at both sites and clinical systems down at the Alkrington Practice. Our phones become active at 8am every weekday so please do not call until 8am as you will not get through. As for after 8am, the phones are busy and we do deal with a high number of calls. If you have specific experience of seeing/hearing reception staff talking socially rather than answering calls, please either write to us or ask to speak with the Practice Manager. Phones are supposed to be answered as a priority and if this is not happening we need to know why. We are sorry that you feel our surgery to be a joke and would like to do all that we can to help. One thing that I would suggest if you hate the phone system and constantly have problems with it, would be to sign up to patient access, through which you can book appointments and order prescriptions. Whilst I cannot guarantee you will find all the appointments you need via patient access, it does at least allow you some flexibility as to how and when you contact the surgery. If you would like to discuss anything further please either write to the Practice Manager, or contact the surgery and ask to speak with her. -James, Project Manager
Beveley W.
8 years ago
Excellent!
Great experience with friendly team
Superb customer care and delightful employees.
The Junction Surgery
7 years agoHi Beveley Thank you very much for your 5 star review and your kind words. If you ever have any issues with our service please do not hesitate to contact us directly so that we can try to resolve them for you. Many thanks -James, Project Manager
J B.
8 years ago
Excellent!
Exceptional healthcare with compassionate and helpful staff
Wonderful compassionate medical professionals across all roles. Consistently reliable and supportive, the entire team is always ready to assist and provide exceptional care.
The Junction Surgery
7 years agoHi J B Thank you very much for your 5 star review and your kind words. If you ever have any issues with our service please do not hesitate to contact us directly so that we can try to resolve them for you. Many thanks -James, Project Manager
Adam S.
8 years ago
Great!
Friendly service but parking could be better
Convenient scheduling and friendly personnel. The only drawback is the limited parking area.
The Junction Surgery
8 years agoThank you for your review. We are glad that you had a good experience. We agree that parking can be an issue, unfortunately there isn't much we can do to resolve this due to the placement of the building.
Clipo C.
9 years ago
Average!
Efficient healthcare with a warm professional touch
Typical General Practice Clinic. Crowded yet maintaining a welcoming atmosphere.
The Junction Surgery
8 years agoThank you for your review. If there is anything you would us to address, please contact the surgery by post or phone to speak with the Practice Manager.
Rebecca W.
9 years ago
Bad!
Terrible service and disorganized medical practice
Communication is absolutely terrible. Receptionists misplace critical documents. I've been associated with this practice since childhood when my family relocated to the area, and we've consistently experienced issues. I'm planning to switch to another general practitioner. The only reason I still visit this clinic is its convenient location.
The Junction Surgery
9 years agoThank you for taking the time share your feedback. Firstly let me apologise that you've had bad experiences using our surgery through the years. Regarding the loss of paperwork, I would like to contact you to get specific information and dates so that I can investigate and try to prevent further issues for both yourself and our other patients. We are sorry that you feel you must move to a different GP, but whilst you are still with us we will do our best to remedy the issues you currently have. Sincerely, James - Project Manager