The Harrold Medical Practice

"The stars are for the reception ladies, the people on the front line. Lesley is a credit to the surgery, she listens, understands and owns it. I wish everyone else in this practice understood they have a moral obligation to fellow human beings."

"So glad to have moved away and finally have a good GP. Harrold Medical Practice is by far the worst medical service I've ever encountered. I have complex health needs and was completely neglected by the GPs here. When i first registered, there was a GP i believe called Dr Black (?), who was kind and caring, but he left the practice. On one occassion i was assured by a GP that I definitely did not have a slipped disc in my back, and he sneeringly suggested that i lose weight to fix the problem. He also refused me an MRI. I've lived 2 and a half years in agony with reduced mobility because of it. I'm now about to have neurosurgery on my severely slipped disc. On a separate occasion I was laid on the floor outside sobbing in pain whilst I waited 50 minutes for my appointment. Not once did the receptionists check I was OK, despite being quite empty inside the reception, they continud chatting and laughing. Other patients checked I was OK. At one point a GP left the surgery and walked past me without acknowledging me. In what profession do you walk past someone crying on the floor?! Receptionists are also generally dismissive and it is near impossible to get through on the phone. The pharmacy have got my medication wrong on 2 occasions (labels different to blister packs)but I didn't bother disputing this as I have the sense to check everything before making up my dosset boxes. On a local online forum there was a discussion about the medical centre and when I spoke of my experience, one of the pharmasists commented saying 'don't like it, go somewhere else'. A shocking attitude and lack of understanding that many disabled people have no choice when it comes to which surgery they access as they need somewhere very close by in proximity. I received several messages off the back of this from people with similar terrible experiences, one man went into the surgery after having a suspected stroke and was told to drive himself to a&e. I will say that the NURSES are kind, empathic, caring and wonderful people and my post does not at all reflect their hard work."

"Truly the worst GP Practice I’ve been to. Apparently you must take a days holiday from work in order to book an ‘urgent’ appointment and sit and wait in all day until they call you back, despite mentioning available times you are free in that day. Also, seen a Nurse in my appointment, not a GP and the nurse did not have an answer to my issue and said to book a future appointment with the GP when it was the GP you expect to see in an urgent appointment. Went to reception to book a future GP appointment to be told to call them up tomorrow morning to book an appointment… but you can’t book me an appointment now for the future?? Makes zero sense. Called up this morning to book a future appointment only to be told to call BACK in an hours time because they are only taking urgent calls at the moment??? Are they incapable of doing more than 1 task at once or? Going to research into moving GP’s as this is a badly run establishment. I’d be better going to A&E than using this GP practice."

"Though I have been with this practice many years, in the last few weeks I have had occasion to contact them rather frequently - yet, astonishingly, despite the current enormous pressure on medical services, I have not once experienced any serious difficulty getting through on the phone, the receptionists, without exception, have been extremely kind and helpful and I have actually managed to see a doctor! When I tell my friends who attend diffferent surgeries they are quite astonished as their own experiences and that of the general public I gather range from poor to simply terrible. So credit where credit is due. Thank you very much Harrold Surgery.A very grateful patient. Hilary Horn"

"This is the best GP practice I have ever been registered with. The receptionists are friendly and helpful and the phone is always answered promptly. I had my first face-to-face appointment today and I was seen exactly on time (which has never happened at any of my previous practices)! The nurse I saw, named Sarah, was extremely kind, reassuring and informative. She made me feel very comfortable during what I anticipated to be a very uncomfortable appointment and no point did I feel rushed. If you are looking to join a practice in the area, I would definitely recommend this one!"