Newtown Medical Centre

"Really dissapointed, made to go in person for my medication. I asked the urgent line doctor how going in person will make a difference and he said so they can see me and laughed? It feels like I've been profiled or something and now I may not get my medication before the pharmacy closes."

"I am shocked by the rudeness I received from the receptionist today. As a result of her rude tone, I requested to speak with a doctor and she openly laughed at me. During my conversation with the doctor, the receptionist repeatedly interrupted the conversation and even suggested the doctor what to respond. It is appalling that a receptionist in a healthcare setting could behave in such a manner and have the power to treat people with such disrespect even in front of a doctor. I am relieved that I did not complete my enrollment at this centre and I will continue receiving care at my previous medical center where I was treated with dignity and respect as a patient."

"This morning I had a very caring and thoughtful phone triage followed by an appointment at the surgery later this afternoon. I thought both doctors were great, thorough and professional. I am so grateful that I am a patient at Newtown Medical Centre."

"I have been with Newtown Medical for over 8 years, and unfortunately it is not what it used to be. While the reception staff have always been less than friendly and a little intimidating, the centre at least in the past has had decent gps that make you feel safe and listened to. Now, I feel an immense amount of anxiety walking through the doors there as the service and care from reception to dr’s office is minimal to non-existent, bordering on disdainful (I don’t want to knock all the gps here as I do not have experience with all of them, and James Parsons in particular is great). After my regular gp left however I was tossed around different gps and nurses without any communication, and only discovered he had returned when I saw him retrieving another patient from the waiting room. Voice messages to do with test results have been left that are vague and concerning, and then when I have called back they don’t know what they called for. Sometimes I have tried to return a call to be called back back by a dr, which I have been charged for. Being immunocompromised, I sometimes find I need a double appointment to get everything checked, but this is always denied. I understand that gps are chocka these days but surely *never* allowing double appointments isn’t helpful in the long run? If I can’t address something I have to come back for another appoint a couple of days later anyway, as it is usually of concern (I don’t spend $ on gp lightly!). Surely this can be decided on a case by case basis. I never leave the centre anymore feeling like I have had much addressed or resolved, and never have a long term plan discussed like I have with past gps. The entire runnings of this centre is just in a shambles. As a side note, the admin staff are constantly complaining very loudly about how busy and stressed they are (which I don’t doubt that they are) but it just seems chaotic and unprofessional. If I could change gps I would, as it is a mission to travel from petone to Newtown (having moved a while ago), but am still waiting for a space to open up in a local medical centre."

"Have been a patient here for many years but will be switching doctors asap. Have been trying to get an appointment since last year. The wait time for an appointment is 2+ weeks. The receptionist who set up my appointment 2 weeks ago stuffed that up and had to rebook me in. Wait time for next appointment - in exactly a months time. Had she done her job properly, my appointment would’ve been in 2 days. A couple of doctors I’ve seen had looked on google for my symptoms. Just feels like they rush you so they could get through all the patients (because they’re half an hour delayed). Disappointing!"