Patient Experience Summary

Feedback across the file reveals persistent challenges with appointment access and booking experience. Patients report significant difficulty reaching the practice by phone, with extended waiting times and frequently busy lines preventing contact. Once connected, many encounter limited appointment availability, with some describing waits of months or being offered only inconvenient time slots. Reception experience emerges as a major concern, with multiple reports of discourteous and dismissive staff behaviour, though some patients note courteous interactions. Communication issues are widespread, including contradictory guidance, unresponsive callbacks, and poor coordination between departments affecting prescription handling and specialist referrals.

Waiting experience for appointments is problematic, with patients reporting long delays both before and after scheduled times. Several reviews highlight concerns about responsiveness to patient needs and organisational inefficiency affecting care continuity. However, a minority of patients report positive experiences with accessible facilities, supportive medical professionals, and competent doctors and nurses who provide attentive care. The practice environment is generally described as adequate, though some long-standing patients note a decline in service quality compared to previous locations or management.

The overall pattern suggests systemic operational challenges centred on appointment availability, phone access, and reception experience, alongside variable quality in clinical care and communication. While some staff demonstrate professionalism and compassion, these strengths are overshadowed by widespread frustration with booking systems and accessibility for working patients and those with urgent needs.

Appointment

12.00 %
Bad

Reception

15.25 %
Bad

Cleanliness

55.00 %
Average

Care

22.75 %
Bad

Respect

16.50 %
Bad

Seen on time

20.00 %
Bad

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CW

Carole W. Google 5 years ago

Rating

Bad!

Impossible to get care at this frustrating medical practice

Reaching this medical practice is nearly impossible - I attempted 102 calls, constantly encountering busy signals. Miraculously, when I finally got through after extended wait times, all appointment slots were already filled. Apparently, you'd need to be on your deathbed to secure a consultation. The staff's demeanor is frigid and completely lacking in compassion; they seem to have chosen the wrong professional path entirely. I would seriously consider dismissing most of the current employees. While I comprehend they're overwhelmed, legitimate medical concerns appear to be systematically disregarded. Compared to Hunter Street practice, this facility falls drastically short. Despite being a long-standing patient, I'm seriously contemplating switching to another healthcare provider.

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LP

Lyndsey P. Google 5 years ago

Rating

Excellent!

Great service despite initial phone hold time

I was hesitant about booking my initial medical consultation after relocating, especially after browsing through various online comments. When I called early this week, I experienced a lengthy wait of around 8 minutes on hold. The front desk staff member who eventually answered seemed somewhat brusque, though she handled my request efficiently. Surprisingly, I secured a same-day appointment, and the physician I consulted was exceptionally welcoming and competent, helping me feel comfortable throughout the entire examination and medical assessment.

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LL

Luckyadam331 L. Google 5 years ago

Rating

Bad!

Rude staff ruined my entire shopping experience

Wow, the attitude of the reception staff is absolutely terrible. Someone needs to get that woman under control. She's behaving like a wild, aggressive animal.

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OE

Oliver E. Google 5 years ago

Rating

Bad!

Frustrating service but decent medical staff

Occasionally, when I manage to navigate past the receptionist's barriers, I actually get to consult with a genuinely competent medical professional. The doctors and nurses are quite skilled, but getting to that point is a challenge since the front desk staff seem perpetually disinterested in answering calls.

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GC

Glyn C. Google 5 years ago

Rating

Bad!

Frustrated patient seeks better medical experience now

Having been a patient here for over five decades, I noticed a significant decline since the days on Hunter Street. Honestly, the experience now feels like an imposition. The reception staff come across as borderline discourteous and seem to struggle with basic administrative tasks. Communicating with a doctor is more challenging than negotiating with the Vatican. While the facility itself is architecturally pleasant, the recent changes have not improved the practice's quality of service.

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JD

Jojo D. Google 5 years ago

Rating

Bad!

Worst medical practice ever terrible service

Their service is nonexistent. Scheduling an appointment is a futile endeavor, and they consistently misplace prescription refill requests, regardless of whether you contact them via telephone or their digital platform. Even if you dial the moment they open, you'll spend half an hour on hold, only to be told they're fully booked and to try again the next day. They either outright reject appointment requests or simply fail to honor them. The overwhelming impression is one of complete indifference towards patients.

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BL

Brian L. Google 6 years ago

Rating

Bad!

Incompetent doctors fail at basic medical paperwork

Absolute embarrassment to Briton Ferry and healthcare professionals!!!! I've been waiting a quarter of a year for them to complete a crucial document that I'm compensating them to process!!! Their communication is shockingly inadequate, and the physicians at my clinic (without exception) are abrasively unhelpful and deserve to be cast adrift on the Neath River in a vessel with significant structural integrity issues

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KW

Kerry W. Google 6 years ago

Rating

Bad!

Terrible doctors who should not be practicing medicine

Dr Wilkes and their colleagues are an absolute embarrassment and deserve to be eliminated from the NHS. It appears G. Parker is likely a paid shill providing a fabricated positive review? JUST EXAMINE THE OVERWHELMING NUMBER OF 1-STAR RATINGS! This medical practice undoubtedly represents the most atrocious healthcare facility across South Wales, characterized by arrogance and extreme unhelpfulness, with not a single doctor worthy of any professional respect. Attempting to ask a question is immediately perceived as challenging their supposed authority and expertise, and patients are warned: do NOT dare to question their statements, or you'll be swiftly ejected from the practice. I am personally thrilled to be seeking medical care elsewhere, as any semblance of genuine service is completely absent from this establishment.

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GP

G P. Google 6 years ago

Rating

Excellent!

Loyal patient shares long-term medical journey

I'm awarding this practice 5 stars due to my long-standing relationship spanning three decades. While there are occasional challenges with phone access and wait times, I've consistently received quality service in the end. The reception staff have always been warm and accommodating. The doctors, each with their unique personality and professional approach, vary in rapport - some naturally connect better than others. Recently, I navigated a serious health challenge involving two hospital experiences with widely varying standards of care. I want to specifically highlight Dr Wilkes, who has known my family and me for years. She stands out for her direct and honest communication, but most importantly, her genuine ability to listen and truly understand her patients. She doesn't just hear; she actively cares and takes necessary actions. I cannot express enough gratitude for her support, especially during my recent difficult period when I felt most vulnerable. I recognize that others might have had different experiences, and I understand their perspectives. However, I believe we often overlook the importance of acknowledging and thanking those healthcare professionals who provide immense support during our most challenging times.

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DM

Daniel M. Google 6 years ago

Rating

Bad!

Frustrating wait and poor communication from service

Spent the entire day anticipating a call, and when they eventually contacted me, it was with barely any warning. Despite the rushed notice, I managed to arrive punctually, only to be left waiting for well over 90 minutes.

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MT

Mike T. Google 6 years ago

Rating

Bad!

Terrible service and lack of proper medical care

This appears to be the sole medical practice where you're welcome only when healthy, but if you're unwell, accessing care becomes impossible. My partner has been suffering for 10 months without seeing her GP, and we suspect it's due to the enigmatic individual who telephones in the evening, arbitrarily diagnosing and prescribing potent, potentially hazardous pain medication. We requested an x-ray, only to be dismissively told they don't perform back scans, which later proved to be precisely what was needed. At this point, we're compelled to seek a referral to Santa Maria private hospital because we've reached our breaking point. This practice is utterly incompetent and deserves a thorough investigation.

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SR

S R. Google 7 years ago

Rating

Bad!

Disappointing service at local medical practice

As an NHS employee, I find myself deeply let down by the management of this medical practice. While most of the healthcare professionals—doctors (with the exception of one who bizarrely suggested my one-year-old daughter's week-long food-related screaming was due to disliking my cooking), nurses, midwives, health visitors, and most reception staff—have been compassionate and supportive. I recognize that financial constraints, time pressures, and limited resources are challenges we face in my own department and across the NHS. Despite this, we consistently aim to deliver an efficient, empathetic, and patient-centered service, adapting our approach as demands evolve. Previously, I was registered with an exceptional surgery, but relocating forced me to change practices. The downgrade from a top-tier facility to this current one is genuinely frustrating. Numerous improvements are necessary to enhance service accessibility. From my perspective, this surgery is particularly unsuitable for working professionals and families—relatively minor modifications could significantly improve the overall experience.

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SP

Sarah P. Google 7 years ago

Rating

Bad!

Horrible medical experience at this terrible clinic

Completely awful Most horrendous establishment ZERO EMPATHY Extremely incompetent medical professionals and personnel Incredibly disrespectful and entirely unhelpful

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KG

K G. Google 7 years ago

Rating

Bad!

Terrible service with some helpful staff hidden

I'm puzzled why this medical practice hasn't undergone serious review or improvement. Some staff members display absolutely unacceptable behavior. When patients attempt to ask questions about procedures, they're met with hostility and then deliberately misled, claiming they cannot assist - despite having done the exact same thing just weeks prior. There's an ironic sign stating staff shouldn't be abused, but they seem to forget that professional respect should be mutual, and staff should not abuse patients either. The overall service is predominantly unhelpful. While a few compassionate staff members genuinely go above and beyond and deserve recognition, others are fundamentally unsuited to patient care, demonstrating a complete inability to communicate, empathize, or interact professionally. Urgent changes are needed. This feels more like an authoritarian regime than a healthcare facility intended to support patients.

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JJ

Jay J. Google 7 years ago

Rating

Bad!

Frustrated and abandoned by medical care

Abandoned without medical care

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CB

Clare B. Google 7 years ago

Rating

Bad!

Confusing communication leads to patient frustration

The medical staff's inconsistent communication is causing significant frustration for patients like myself. I received a written instruction from my doctor specifying a precise time window for phone contact, so I diligently called at 9:45 AM, only to be abruptly informed that morning appointments were already closed and I should call back at 1 PM. This contradictory guidance raises a valid question: why wasn't this limitation clearly stated in the original letter I was given?

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GT

Gacem T. Google 7 years ago

Rating

Average!

Amazing product that exceeded my expectations

Satisfactory

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BG

Ben G. Google 7 years ago

Rating

Bad!

Terrible service and rude doctors avoid this practice

I had been a patient at this medical practice for approximately four years. Throughout my time there, I consistently encountered staff members who seemed more interested in creating obstacles, and the physicians displayed an unwarranted level of discourtesy. It is genuinely disheartening to observe the numerous critical comments from other patients, with the Practice appearing largely indifferent to these concerns. Subsequently, I transferred my medical care to Dr. Wilkes & Partners, where I have been thoroughly satisfied with their direct and courteous approach to patient service.

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NK

Nigel K. Google 7 years ago

Rating

Bad!

Terrible service and complete customer disregard

Utterly shocked that not a single supportive review exists, and it seems management is completely oblivious to customer feedback. It's baffling how this business continues to operate with such apparent disregard for customer experience, and they should be thoroughly embarrassed.

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JM

Jillian M. Google 7 years ago

Rating

Bad!

Worst medical experience ever terrible customer service

Absolutely appalling healthcare experience. Attempted to contact the doctor via phone, but received zero callback. The physician's documentation is a mess, with more corrections than legible writing. Utterly pointless practice that inexplicably fails to match the efficiency of other medical facilities.

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Practice Response Rate
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About the GP

  • Accepts all feedback, both positive and negative.

Contact Information

  • 01639 813272
  • Waterside Medical Practic Briton Ferry Health Centr Brunel Way Briton Ferry SA11 2FP

Patient Experience Summary

Feedback across the file reveals persistent challenges with appointment access and booking experience. Patients report significant difficulty reaching the practice by phone, with extended waiting times and frequently busy lines preventing contact. Once connected, many encounter limited appointment availability, with some describing waits of months or being offered only inconvenient time slots. Reception experience emerges as a major concern, with multiple reports of discourteous and dismissive staff behaviour, though some patients note courteous interactions. Communication issues are widespread, including contradictory guidance, unresponsive callbacks, and poor coordination between departments affecting prescription handling and specialist referrals.

Waiting experience for appointments is problematic, with patients reporting long delays both before and after scheduled times. Several reviews highlight concerns about responsiveness to patient needs and organisational inefficiency affecting care continuity. However, a minority of patients report positive experiences with accessible facilities, supportive medical professionals, and competent doctors and nurses who provide attentive care. The practice environment is generally described as adequate, though some long-standing patients note a decline in service quality compared to previous locations or management.

The overall pattern suggests systemic operational challenges centred on appointment availability, phone access, and reception experience, alongside variable quality in clinical care and communication. While some staff demonstrate professionalism and compassion, these strengths are overshadowed by widespread frustration with booking systems and accessibility for working patients and those with urgent needs.

Appointment

12.00 %
Bad

Reception

15.25 %
Bad

Cleanliness

55.00 %
Average

Care

22.75 %
Bad

Respect

16.50 %
Bad

Seen on time

20.00 %
Bad
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