Whinfield Medical Practice

Terrific nurse appointment !

I am genuinely terrified of the nurse taking blood after some very unpleasant experiences at another practice. Today has just left me astounded - the nurse had already taken three vials of blood from my arm and I did not feel a thing ! The receptionists are so helpful and friendly and the doctors have time to listen to you and not rush you. Not like any other practice I have experienced before. Well done !

Reception staff were always polite and helpful

Always pleasant, polite and helpful. The staff member was brilliant 👏

Doctor actually listened to my concerns

I've had excellent experiences at this practice and genuinely felt heard during my consultations. I would rate it highly, though I do find the building layout a bit confusing to navigate and appointment availability can involve some waiting time, though it's still quicker than my previous GP surgery.

Reception team were genuinely helpful and kind

Always helpful

Phone lines consistently difficult to reach

I have found it consistently challenging to reach this surgery, whether through prolonged telephone waiting times or due to the online appointment system becoming unavailable shortly after opening. Even when contact is established, securing an appointment proves difficult - I was unable to obtain one for a persistent concern and was advised to wait further. Additionally, I experienced a problem with a prescription being directed to an incorrect pharmacy, despite having explicitly requested an alternative location and receiving confirmation of this arrangement.

Online booking system works reliably well

I accessed the online booking system to request an appointment and received one by mid-morning, which is consistent with my previous experiences. The clinical staff and reception team have consistently demonstrated politeness and helpfulness throughout my visits.

Receptionist showed genuine concern about my mobility

I am very satisfied with the care I have received. After relocating from another practice that I found unsatisfactory, I was able to secure an appointment here without difficulty. The receptionist demonstrated thoughtfulness by checking whether I would have any issues attending my appointment given my recent surgery. During my visit, the clinician took time to address an additional health concern I had raised and provided reassurance that appropriate steps are being taken. They also made clear that should my symptoms deteriorate, I would be able to access prompt appointments. I would strongly recommend this practice, as I feel valued and treated with genuine compassion and attentiveness throughout my experience.

Happy with the friendly reception here

I am very satisfied with this practice.

Long waits for appointments left feeling unheard

I have been a patient at this practice for many years, and I have noticed a significant decline in the quality of care. Since early 2022, I have experienced several health concerns that have compounded over time, and I feel that the lack of adequate support has contributed to this deterioration. Attempting to receive assistance has been frustrating, and I often feel dismissed or left without proper help. I believe the practice's approach to patient care requires serious review, particularly regarding appointment availability and responsiveness to deteriorating health conditions. Offering routine appointments weeks in advance when patients need more timely intervention is problematic. I am deeply dissatisfied with my experience and have decided to transfer my registration elsewhere. While some members of the clinical team have been helpful and professional, others have appeared dismissive and have not adequately listened to my concerns. I would not recommend this practice based on my overall experience.

Couldn't get through on the phone

I found the service to be disappointing and unhelpful.

Felt unheard and dismissed by the practice

This practice has not met my expectations, as I felt my concerns were not properly heard or considered during my visit.

Friendly reception made the visit pleasant

Positive visit

Difficult to book appointments by phone

I feel this practice has declined in quality. Obtaining an appointment proves challenging, with the phone line frequently busy. Additionally, online consultations are routinely requested. As a result, I have chosen to register with a different surgery.

Slow prescription delivery made symptoms worse

The service at this practice fell short of expectations. There was a significant delay of over a day before my prescription was arranged for delivery, and during this waiting period my symptoms became considerably worse.

NHS practice charging for capacity assessments

I requested that a healthcare professional complete a legal assessment form for a family member with complex needs, and was informed there would be a charge of £120 for this service. I was surprised to learn that this particular service incurs a fee, as I had assumed it would be provided through NHS services.

Phones constantly engaged, never get through

This practice feels overwhelmed and struggling to cope with demand. The telephone lines are consistently busy, and the responses provided often seem to lack depth or proper consideration. The overall operation appears to be in need of significant improvement and reorganisation.

Online booking worked but reception attitude disappointing

Used the online service today and received a callback with an appointment the same day with a clinician who provided excellent care. However, the reception experience was disappointing and would not merit a positive rating, as the attitude displayed was unhelpful when feeling unwell.

Helped me feel comfortable despite anxiety

I struggled to leave my home for an extended period, and this practice has provided significant support. The staff are genuinely pleasant, and despite my difficulty with social interaction, they have done an excellent job of making me feel at ease during my visits.

Phone lines constantly busy and hard to reach

I am disappointed because from early morning onwards, the phone line appears to be unavailable and consistently busy. It is frustrating to be unable to reach the practice when trying to arrange appointments through this method.

Practice systems need urgent improvement

I relocated to this practice a year ago and, aside from a handful of positive experiences, I have found the service to be unsatisfactory overall. The practice's technology infrastructure appears to be problematic and difficult to navigate. Additionally, correspondence from other NHS organisations has gone missing on occasion. There is certainly room for improvement in these areas.