Longford Street Medical Centre
NB
Natasha B. 5 years ago • From Google
Bad
After relocating to the area last year, I chose to register at this practice, though I would caution others against making the same decision. The initial challenge is that routine appointment availability extends beyond four weeks, requiring patients needing urgent care to phone and attempt to secure same-day slots instead. The process of reaching the surgery by telephone proves extremely difficult, and available appointments are consistently unavailable by the time a connection is made. Should you manage to obtain an urgent appointment, you can expect to wait considerably longer than an hour before being seen. During my visit, the clinician indicated they had limited availability and suggested other patients were a priority. I was experiencing significant emotional distress and felt vulnerable, genuinely needing support. Despite expressing concerns about medication based on prior experiences, I was prescribed a treatment that seemed counterproductive given my presenting symptoms. Beyond this specific encounter, the overall demeanor of clinical and administrative staff lacks warmth and compassion, leaving patients feeling undervalued. When I attended another appointment regarding a longstanding condition, the clinician questioned whether my stated diagnosis was accurate, despite this information being documented in my medical history. This prompted me to travel a considerable distance to access appropriate care elsewhere. While I recognise the NHS faces significant resource constraints, the standard of care at this practice falls short of expectations. The service quality is poor, and my experience resulted in prolonged suffering and professional consequences, as necessary documentation was not provided when requested. I have observed patients of all ages—including visibly unwell children requiring emergency intervention—enduring extended waits while staff remain seemingly uninvolved. A medical practice should provide comfort and support to unwell individuals. For those without local family support, accessing timely care should be straightforward rather than leaving patients feeling like a burden. I would recommend exploring alternative options within the area.
angela N.