Beech Hill Medical Practice

"I don’t think the service has been great since Covid however I’m not blaming staff who in general are helpful and the doctors are helpful when you get to see them or speak to them the problem is maybe they just have to many patients listed on the practice which then causes these delays. It doesn’t matter the fact they might say you have been given a call appointment in 3 or 4 weeks time as it’s not been classed as needed before then, that doesn’t mean the patient isn’t anxious to just know the answer to something. I’ve had it where I’ve patiently waited 2 weeks for a call then the doctor has actually not rang but sent an email just giving the answer which would have been much appreciated if they just did that there and then on ask my gp instead of 2 weeks later. Because it was literally a couple of sentences and had I not seen it I could have been sat all day waiting for the call ."

"I have complex mental illness and also chronic physical illnesses. I think its a bit ridicoulous that since covid they only allow appointement through ask my gp between 8am-8:30am. I think a half an hour window for all the patients at the practise is no where near enough. And id also note that when your unwell, you dont wanna get up early. But its your only option at this practise with a half an hour time window. And for me I really struggle to get up in the morning due chronic insomnia. So its rare that i can ever get onto the system. For the hours that this practise is open (8am-6:30) which is 10 and half hours, to only allow patients to request a doctors appointement for 30 minute period in the morning, is attrocious. This askmygp service could work better if it was used efficiently.( If it was open for for than 30 minutes) When you ring the practise it says 'askmygp service makes it quicker and easier' Which is the opposite of reality. It makes it so difficult to get an appointement. And deffintly not quicker with appointement being given 2-3 weeks following a request. The receptionists at the practise are mostly rude. Except one receptionist i spoke to recently who sounded like she wanted to help. Which suprised me! Because almost all receptionists are incredibly rude & sound like they'd prefer to do anything else but help you... Most of the doctors are really good. Howether I had a dissapointing experience with Mr Michael Hodkinson, i told him all of my syptoms , where he spent about 10 minutes telling me he didnt have time. He didnt do anyting for me during my appointement. So for me , it was a complete waste of time. He then gave me an appointement with dr fernando , who i had repeat myself to, except he did all of my refferals & checks in that same time. And so i left with everything i needed. I think if they scrapped the inedequatete time frame in the morning, it would be so much better for the patients. I feel sorry for all the elderly people at the practise. Its a nightmare for a 19 year old, so its must be extremly hard for elderly to navigate this askmygp system."

"I would like to say a massive thank you to the girls on reception for being so nice, relaxed and understanding...but most of all - competent. What seemed like an impossible task to get my emergency prescription was done, with ease, in a matter of hours. I was in considerable pain and explained this to the receptionists I spoke with; at first it seemed like a day ringing 101, but despite being short staffed and very busy, they managed to get my prescription to my local pharmacy by early afternoon. So, ladies... I tip my hat. Thank you very very much. Such good service. You should be proud x"

"This surgery is dreadful to deal with. My father is 87 and is suffering from a complicated UTI since last week. My sister and I have made many phone calls to get some help. Last week, after numerous phone calls, my sister eventually got some antibiotics for him. Monday, he is worse. I call at 8.05 am to ask for gp call back as they have the results of his sample and after speaking to the nurse receptionist he needs different antibiotics to address the infection and I was to await a phone call. I made 4 further phone calls and actually went to the surgery. After I made yet another phone call, I was told at 3.30 that the doctor who was meant to deal with this had gone off sick. Where they ever going to deal with it...After asking to speak to the practice manager the receptionist actually dealt with my request and got another doctor to ring me back at 4.30 (over 9 hours after my 1st phone call) he sent a prescription to the chemist. Today, my dad is no better and my sister has had the same nightmare trying to get my dad a face to face appointment, a home visit, or for a doctor to ring her back. This service is diabolical. Nothing is followed up or acted upon."

"I've been under this practice since I was born & sorry to say I'm unhappy with the service. I'm at high risk with covid & flu due to my health & I'm now disabled. During covid I should have been one of the first to get the vaccination & my consultant had to email them to get the jab. Rang up about the flu jab as my husband had a text about it but I hadn't. Spoke to reception & told them I'm high risk with flu as have Asthma & they said my husband must be high risk as he's as the text. What use was that! I've written a complaint 2 weeks ago and not yet heard anything. My hubby isn't high risk."