Bermondsey Spa Medical Centre
GT
Gerri T. 2 years ago • From Google
Great
I had one positive and one negative experience at this practice. The reception staff are generally courteous and supportive. During my first visit, I attended with my child and saw a clinician who was remarkably compassionate and thorough. They took time to explain potential causes and what symptoms to monitor if the condition worsened. It was a reassuring appointment, particularly as we were travelling in another part of the UK when my child became unwell. We were advised to return or seek emergency care if circumstances deteriorated. On my second visit, I came with my younger child regarding a skin condition flare-up. The clinician's manner was dismissive and condescending. Rather than offering support, they implied I was not managing my child's care adequately and listed numerous things I should have been doing differently. They also presented the condition in an unnecessarily alarming way, suggesting significant lifestyle restrictions. Given that we come from a warmer, more humid climate and my child had not previously experienced such a severe episode—likely due to the drier summer weather here—the reaction seemed disproportionate to the mild patches visible on the skin. The approach lacked empathy and placed blame on me as a parent, which was unhelpful. The condition likely has a genetic component, and as someone without prior experience managing such issues, I would have benefited from a more supportive and informative conversation about possible approaches. The quality of care appears to depend significantly on which clinician you see. The practice might benefit from additional training focused on developing more empathetic communication skills. Parenting is already demanding, and managing a child's health concerns or discomfort adds considerable stress.
Ali M.