Northern Health Centre

Doctors listen well but management needs work

The clinical staff are excellent and genuinely attentive to patient concerns - the practitioners demonstrate clear competence and I am entirely satisfied with their approach (though I do have reservations about how the practice is run overall).

Couldn't hear anything with all the noise

The experience was disappointing due to difficulty hearing the healthcare professional because of excessive background noise and overlapping conversations. This area requires urgent attention and improvement.

Reception staff didn't listen to concerns

The service quality was disappointing. There appear to be communication issues between different healthcare providers, and interactions with reception staff were unhelpful and dismissive of patient concerns. Additionally, seeing different clinicians at each visit meant having to repeatedly explain medical history rather than receiving continuity of care.

Staff weren't welcoming or polite

The staff and clinical team were not as courteous as I would have hoped.

Quick and easy appointment booking process

The finest medical practice I've encountered. I've been a patient since childhood and they've made an enormous positive difference to my wellbeing on numerous occasions. They're genuinely the reason I'm doing well today. Getting an appointment is remarkably straightforward and efficient - I applied and had a slot available within a couple of hours.

Reception staff were dismissive and unprofessional

The practice has deteriorated significantly following the relocation. I experienced concerning interactions at reception that felt disrespectful, and I was spoken to loudly on the phone in a way that felt inappropriate given the sensitive nature of the conversation. A staff member contacted me via text, which I felt was an unusual way to handle my inquiry about my medication status. These negative experiences have affected my wellbeing considerably, and I am seriously considering changing practices or relocating to be closer to my family due to how these interactions have impacted me.

Couldn't get appointment for disabled child

It was extremely difficult to get an appointment when needed, and I ended up having to take my daughter to A&E when a GP visit would have been far more convenient. The practice was unable to make adjustments to suit my family's circumstances.

Reception staff created unnecessary barriers to care

I would rate this practice lower if possible, but I'm required to give at least one star to submit this review. The practice appears disorganised and lacks effective management. Throughout my time as a patient, I have experienced difficulties obtaining prescribed medications on several occasions, with staff indicating the items were not recorded in their system despite my having taken them for an extended period. Securing an appointment is challenging, and the reception team's approach often seems to create obstacles rather than facilitate access to care. The clinical staff appear to consist largely of temporary practitioners, and there seems to be limited coordination between team members. I am actively seeking to transfer to an alternative practice.

Google listing had the wrong address

The address displayed on Google Maps is incorrect; the actual location of the practice is on Holloway Road in London.

Online booking gets you seen within hours

The online appointment booking system works really well, and the practice typically gets back to you very quickly after submission—usually within an hour—to confirm a time. Many appointments can even be arranged for the same day. The appointment availability is impressively swift, and the clinical staff are excellent. My main concern is that I've seen a different clinician at nearly every visit, which means I end up having to go through my medical history repeatedly. This happens even though I use the option to request continuity with my previous clinician. Ideally, I'd prefer to wait a few extra days to see the same person consistently rather than get immediate appointments with different clinicians each time, though I recognise the efficiency here is genuinely impressive. It's worth considering that negative reviews tend to come from people who've had poor experiences, so they don't give a complete picture of how the practice actually operates. Overall, this is a well-run surgery. Some other reviews mention concerns about reception staff, but I haven't experienced any issues myself and think these complaints are relatively minor in the grand scheme of things. The service provided is free at the point of use, which is something to appreciate.

Stuck in a circular booking system

Unable to arrange appointments through standard channels. Received notification about a transition to a different facility but lacked clear information on how to establish contact with the new location and couldn't locate the original communication. When attempting to call the listed contact number, was directed back to the website for booking purposes, creating a circular situation with no resolution.

Appointment cancelled at the door without warning

Attended an appointment but was asked to return the following week, which felt frustrating given the circumstances. Had been receiving treatment a month prior, but during the last couple of sessions the practitioner was unavailable, which left me feeling uncared for. Additionally, I found that the clinical staff could have been more attentive listeners, which was disappointing.

Sent to private clinic for NHS vaccines

The service fell short of expectations. I was directed to a private facility to receive vaccinations that should have been administered through the NHS. Additionally, the reception staff were unhelpful and would disconnect calls.

Pharmacist didn't introduce herself properly

The pharmacy staff member I spoke with about my relative's care didn't introduce themselves at the start of the call. I felt their level of knowledge was concerning. I'm frustrated that it seems increasingly difficult to see doctors, and I worry about relying on other healthcare professionals for care.

Reception staff kept interrupting when trying to explain

I'm concerned that the situation continues to deteriorate. I recently attempted to speak with a member of the reception team, but found it challenging to communicate effectively as I was frequently interrupted and unable to convey what I needed to say. It appears that much of the reception staff are relatively new to their roles. There is one longer-serving team member who has been helpful, but the overall experience has noticeably declined since several experienced staff members departed from the practice. The surgery previously maintained a strong reputation, but the current standard of service has become difficult to navigate, particularly when dealing with health concerns that require prompt attention.

Friendly team who really listened to my concerns

The entire team demonstrated a warm and welcoming approach. I felt valued from the moment I arrived. The service provided was excellent, with staff being responsive and attentive to any questions or worries I had.

Couldn't get through on the phone

I was quite disappointed with my experience at this GP practice.

Cramped waiting room but clean and functional

The waiting area is somewhat confined with an unusual layout, though it serves its purpose adequately. Facilities include on-site toilets. The space appeared well-maintained during our visit.

Reception blocked my appointment booking request

I visited the practice in person to arrange a GP appointment since the online system was unavailable and my attempts to reach the practice by telephone were unsuccessful. The receptionist informed me that appointments could not be booked through that method. I found this response unhelpful given the circumstances.

Wrong address given for appointment booking

This was an extremely disappointing experience at the practice. After waiting several weeks for an appointment, I was provided with an incorrect address. When I contacted them to clarify the location, they suggested the error was on my part. I made my own way to the correct practice at my own expense, only to be told the clinician could not see me. Several hours later, while I was travelling to work (having taken unpaid time off for the appointment), I received a call at 11.56 informing me the clinician was now available at 12. This seemed unreasonable given the circumstances. I also requested to see a different clinician or asked if a female clinician was available, but was told no alternatives were possible. This has been my worst experience with a GP practice during my time in the UK.