Patient Experience Summary

Feedback on this practice reveals a deeply polarised patient experience, with significant concerns about appointment access and reception experience dominating the negative themes. Many patients report persistent difficulties securing consultations, with phone lines frequently unavailable and online booking systems offering no available slots. Long waiting times, both on hold and for appointments, feature prominently across reviews. Communication challenges are widespread, including unresponsive management, missed follow-up calls, and poor phone manner from reception staff. Document mismanagement has caused considerable frustration, with patients reporting lost paperwork and prescription delays. Medication access has emerged as a critical issue, with some patients experiencing dangerous delays in obtaining essential prescriptions.

However, a notable minority of patients report positive experiences, particularly with online booking efficiency, professional care delivery, and compassionate nursing support. These patients highlight responsive communication, courteous reception staff, and timely test results. Some praise specific team members for their professionalism and kindness during consultations and vaccinations. The practice's e-consultation service receives mixed feedback, with some finding it seamless whilst others report it offers no actual appointment availability. This stark contrast suggests service quality may be inconsistent or dependent on which staff members patients encounter, though systemic issues around appointment availability and staffing levels appear to underpin many of the negative experiences reported across the file.

Appointment

18.75 %
Bad

Reception

28.90 %
Bad

Cleanliness

50.00 %
Average

Care

35.67 %
Poor

Respect

26.80 %
Bad

Seen on time

22.15 %
Bad

Filter

AM

Andrea M. Google one year ago

Rating

Excellent!

Great service from caring medical professionals

I received top-notch care from The Limes recently. After submitting an electronic consultation, the doctor personally called me and requested an in-person appointment. The entire process was handled professionally and swiftly, and I was thoroughly satisfied with the service I received.

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KM

Kate M. Google one year ago

Rating

Excellent!

Exceptional care from a compassionate medical team

My encounter stands in stark contrast to the negative feedback shared online. Every staff member I interacted with demonstrated exceptional professionalism. The female physician was outstanding, and the front desk personnel were welcoming and kind. The quality of care I've experienced has been nothing short of excellent, both initially and ongoing. My sincere appreciation goes out to the entire team.

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CB

Craig B. Google one year ago

Rating

Bad!

Nightmare healthcare experience with unhelpful staff

Terrible and Frustrating. By some miracle, I managed to secure a rare appointment with my doctor (a feat more challenging than hitting the jackpot), who requested I schedule a follow-up consultation. When I attempted to book at the time, I was instructed to call closer to the date. Upon doing so, I was abruptly told that doctors don't make such requests. Even after presenting a text message from the surgery confirming the appointment, I was still met with a flat refusal!!!

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KH

Kirsty H. Google one year ago

Rating

Bad!

Incompetent surgery with dangerous medical negligence

The medical practice has repeatedly declined to renew my arthritis prescription, citing a lack of a shared care agreement, even though my rheumatologist emailed the document twice and I personally delivered a physical copy when they claimed not to have received it. They continue to deny having the paperwork despite my direct hand-delivery. Additionally, they once suggested treating pneumonia with antihistamines and acid reflux medication. On another occasion, they missed diagnosing a quinsy, which led to a serious health crisis and my hospitalization. Overall, this surgery appears to be exceptionally poor in managing chronic conditions and potentially inadequate for any patient's healthcare needs.

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EO

Emilia O. Google one year ago

Rating

Bad!

Terrible healthcare with zero communication and compassion

I've been a patient at this clinic for nearly two years, and for 18 months, it's been a truly disappointing experience. Scheduling appointments is an absolute nightmare. I've undergone multiple medical tests, but never received any results or follow-up. When I tried to inquire about my investigations, I was told to expect a letter that never materialized. Phone calls are equally frustrating, with wait times consistently exceeding 45 minutes. Are they still operating under COVID restrictions? What's the purpose of this? I might as well go to the emergency room and hope for a resolution within a day. Update: My most recent appointment at this surgery was utterly disastrous. The healthcare professional I encountered was shockingly unsympathetic and discourteous. She wrongly insinuated I was seeking cosmetic treatment when I was simply seeking guidance for genuine health concerns. It's evident that this medical practice lacks a proper mechanism for handling patient complaints. I'll definitely be switching general practitioners!

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TB

Tarryn B. Google one year ago

Rating

Excellent!

Great service despite scary online reviews

Contrary to the negative feedback I've read, my interactions with this healthcare provider have been nothing short of excellent. Their phone support staff consistently demonstrate professionalism and courtesy. I secured a cervical screening appointment within a mere seven days and was seen precisely at my designated time. The attending nurse was incredibly warm and personable, and the entire procedure was completed in under ten minutes. Additionally, when I needed to transfer a prescription from my Dutch physician, the reception team patiently guided me through each step. I'm genuinely perplexed by the harsh critiques circulating about this practice!

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SB

Sarah B. Google one year ago

Rating

Excellent!

Amazing service from a fantastic receptionist

Tracey at the front desk was absolutely fantastic! She addressed all my questions immediately and couldn't have been more supportive! Major appreciation for her excellent service!

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RW

Rob W. Google one year ago

Rating

Great!

Helpful staff but frustrating practice management system

I previously submitted a glowing 5-star review of this medical practice a few years back. However, after limited subsequent interactions, I feel compelled to provide an updated assessment. During a late September 2024 visit to obtain my vaccination history, I discovered only a few recent immunizations were documented. Fortunately, Nienka, a proactive administrative staff member, volunteered to retrieve my complete paper medical records to fill the information gaps. After mentioning my existing Google review, Nienka recommended submitting feedback via the practice website. However, the eConsult platform's restrictive character limit proved challenging. As a workaround, I composed my comments in Word, captured a screenshot, and uploaded it with a query directed to the practice manager. Disappointingly, the practice manager remains unresponsive, and attempting direct communication seems more trouble than it's worth. If rating solely the practice manager, I'd award 1 star. Nienka absolutely merits 5 stars for her exceptional service, and my original doctor also earned 5 stars. Ultimately, I've deliberated between 3 and 4 stars, settling on 4, which translates to approximately 7/10. The practice manager, as the key point of contact, should be addressing these concerns – if only they would make the effort. My previous review highlighted Dr. Srinivas's friendly, attentive approach in February 2018, where he listened carefully and provided comprehensive treatment options. A subsequent call with Lynn demonstrated similar professionalism, with logical problem-solving and a clear action plan. Despite initial appointment scheduling challenges – common to most GP practices – I found the overall service satisfactory during my three-year membership.

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DT

Dan T. Google one year ago

Rating

Bad!

Terrible service from unhelpful front desk staff

front desk staff completely incompetent, have filed formal grievance

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ZG

Zoe G. Google one year ago

Rating

Bad!

Incompetent staff ruined my long-awaited appointment

The front desk personnel are absolutely dreadful. I phoned regarding an administrative error where they had dispatched conflicting appointment schedules, and when I explained that I couldn't make the latest proposed date since I'd been assured a different time for more than a week, they dismissively said "no problem, goodbye" before I could even finish speaking. I'm extremely frustrated because this was a crucial appointment I had been anticipating for weeks.

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CL

Chris L. Google one year ago

Rating

Bad!

Worst medical experience ever

Terrible medical professionals with absolutely no compassion. The staff's attitude is completely unacceptable and their service is pathetic.

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JT

J T. Google one year ago

Rating

Excellent!

Exceptional care that exceeded all my expectations

I believe it's important to share my perspective on the Limes, as reviews often tend to focus on negative encounters. Throughout my five-year journey with them, I've consistently encountered exceptional service. Their reception staff have been nothing short of supportive, and the medical team demonstrates remarkable professionalism, compassion, and genuine concern. Compared to other medical facilities I've experienced, the Limes stands out significantly. I wholeheartedly endorse their services and feel profoundly appreciative of the outstanding care I've received.

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VS

Victoria S. Google 2 years ago

Rating

Excellent!

Fantastic healthcare service exceeded my expectations

I harbored initial reservations about this medical practice due to earlier feedback, but I can genuinely affirm that their service has been exceptional. The online consultation process is seamless, and I've consistently had smooth experiences obtaining my necessary prescriptions and receiving specialist referrals without any complications.

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CM

Colin M. Google 2 years ago

Rating

Bad!

Endless hold music drives me to madness

After being subjected to the repetitive message about the econsult service on the surgery website for the umpteenth time while on hold, any original medical concern quickly transforms into an overwhelming urge to seek a dramatically fatal escape from the mind-numbing experience.

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BA

Barry A. Google 2 years ago

Rating

Great!

Friendly and proactive medical centre for seniors

After relocating to Margate a year ago, I was assigned to the Limes Medical Centre based on my postcode, despite having read some negative reviews beforehand. However, my personal experience has been remarkably positive. The online system is straightforward and provides informative, friendly responses. During my two brief visits, the reception staff have consistently demonstrated professionalism and courtesy. While my interactions have been limited – I'm a healthy 75-year-old not currently on any medication – I recently underwent a blood pressure check and cholesterol test. The following day, I received a prompt message about my elevated cholesterol levels, recommending potential medication. I responded expressing a desire to explore lifestyle modifications before considering prescription drugs. Within an hour, a medical team member called me to discuss my specific cholesterol reading, its potential implications, and alternative management strategies. They promptly sent additional information and scheduled a three-month follow-up appointment. The telephone consultation was conducted by an exceptionally friendly and upbeat professional. Similarly, the Healthcare Assistant who performed my initial tests was personable and highly competent. These positive interactions have genuinely impressed me, motivating me to share my experience through this review.

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RG

Rebecca G. Google 2 years ago

Rating

Excellent!

Amazing care from dedicated medical professionals

Throughout my nearly 20-year journey with this medical practice, I've consistently had a positive experience. The staff have always been respectful and address patient needs with remarkable speed and efficiency. While every medical practice faces high demands, I believe my surgery excels at prioritizing and managing these needs while maintaining excellent patient communication. Claire A, the mental health nurse I've worked with for years, has been absolutely crucial to my personal progress. I cannot overstate how instrumental she and the outstanding team at the Limes Medical Centre have been in my healthcare journey. I am deeply grateful for their continued dedication and exceptional care, especially during challenging and demanding times 💪🎖️🥇🏆😁

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SS

Stevedm S. Google 2 years ago

Rating

Excellent!

Great team effort behind the scenes

I appreciate all the effort everyone has put in!

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CK

Cat K. Google 2 years ago

Rating

Bad!

Dangerous delays in medication put patients at risk

The medical practice consistently obstructs essential medication prescriptions, unfairly blaming pharmacies, yet multiple pharmacies report identical problems with their receptionists, who seem to impede medication access without justification. I endured a two-week delay in obtaining crucial medication, first requiring a review, and then being told the nurse hadn't signed the document, which resulted in an additional six-day wait. I remain in limbo, potentially facing long-term health consequences like osteoporosis due to medication interruption. These staff members deserve termination for repeatedly disrupting patient medication protocols - the situation is utterly unacceptable. Their behavior demonstrates either complete professional incompetence or deliberate maliciousness. So much for the medical oath to "first do no harm" - it seems meaningless in their hands.

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CV

Christine V. Google 2 years ago

Rating

Great!

Efficient online system saves the day

A bustling medical practice. Securing an in-person consultation can be challenging, but their electronic booking platform is highly efficient. I've learned to schedule blood test appointments well in advance, as slots get snapped up rapidly.

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DC

Dino C. Google 2 years ago

Rating

Bad!

Terrible medical practice with decades of decline

I've been a patient at this surgery for 45 years, starting with Dr. Summersfield, who was an exceptional physician and managed the practice brilliantly. Upon his retirement, the practice's quality has plummeted dramatically. In my view, it's been decimated by profit-driven accountants who deliberately overload patient registrations to maximize NHS funding without investing in adequate medical staffing to meet those demands. This practice continues to exploit COVID-19 as a convenient excuse to restrict in-person consultations, masking their operational failures and maintaining their profit margins. Attempting to secure an appointment is an exercise in frustration, with staff consistently claiming no availability, yet when you arrive in person shortly after such a call, the waiting room contains merely 5 patients compared to the pre-pandemic standard of around 25. This practice urgently requires investigation and should be placed under special measures. Consequently, I've terminated my registration, as I can no longer trust them to provide reliable healthcare when it's most critical.

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About the GP

  • Accepts all feedback, both positive and negative.

Contact Information

  • 01843 222788
  • The Limes Medical Centre Trinity Square Margate Kent CT9 1QY

Patient Experience Summary

Feedback on this practice reveals a deeply polarised patient experience, with significant concerns about appointment access and reception experience dominating the negative themes. Many patients report persistent difficulties securing consultations, with phone lines frequently unavailable and online booking systems offering no available slots. Long waiting times, both on hold and for appointments, feature prominently across reviews. Communication challenges are widespread, including unresponsive management, missed follow-up calls, and poor phone manner from reception staff. Document mismanagement has caused considerable frustration, with patients reporting lost paperwork and prescription delays. Medication access has emerged as a critical issue, with some patients experiencing dangerous delays in obtaining essential prescriptions.

However, a notable minority of patients report positive experiences, particularly with online booking efficiency, professional care delivery, and compassionate nursing support. These patients highlight responsive communication, courteous reception staff, and timely test results. Some praise specific team members for their professionalism and kindness during consultations and vaccinations. The practice's e-consultation service receives mixed feedback, with some finding it seamless whilst others report it offers no actual appointment availability. This stark contrast suggests service quality may be inconsistent or dependent on which staff members patients encounter, though systemic issues around appointment availability and staffing levels appear to underpin many of the negative experiences reported across the file.

Appointment

18.75 %
Bad

Reception

28.90 %
Bad

Cleanliness

50.00 %
Average

Care

35.67 %
Poor

Respect

26.80 %
Bad

Seen on time

22.15 %
Bad
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