The Harris Medical Centre

Been with this surgery just over 2 years. Cant praise it highly enough. Reception staff are really friendly helpful and approachable. They assess your problem and make sure you get to see the best person to help you be it Doctor or nurse. Well done to all the staff.

Dr Paolo Siddi cannot be praised enough. He is very professional and helpful. I had a serious operation few months ago and he was the only doctor who was able to sort out everything after because apparently the hospital forgot to arrange follow ups for me. Thanks to him I have everything under control now and I feel much better because my blood pressure is under control. The practice should be proud to have such a fantastic doctor.

I really can't understand the negatitve reviews on here with regards to the Reception staff? I have always found them all to be extemley pleasant & helpful, in particular Geraldine. She is very friendly and efficient, a pleasure to deal with thank you. Even though I am registered at Adelaide Street Surgery I always ring Harris Street first for an appointment, it is my preferred choice of surgery. Thank you to all the staff, you are doing a great job.

I’ve been a few times and really felt uncomfortable with some doctors, I understand there busy and stressed at times, The nurses are lovely and receptionist can be helpful,I dread every appointment as I know a lot of the time I’m just given painkillers and nothing is solved by looking into what’s causing the problem which can be dangerous. This is peoples lives.

Moved to Blackpool was with Harris centre a year, had hospital referrals, doctors didn't act on the letters, blood test results not given to me. my iron super low and they didn't ring to tell me to take iron. moved doctors, had 1 visit to new doctors and had more help in visit than a year at harris

When you first go in and either go to the desk or press the automated touch sensitive console on the wall to say you've arived for a certain doctor your still waiting there half an hour to an hour later because for some reason or other the doctor has not been informed you've arrived.

Where you have have to go up to the desk and announce to the receptionist you've been waiting about an hour to which you receive an apology and even one from the doctor.

The most understanding efficient lady there is a lady called Anne, you phone up and half the time the phone is jammed, sometimes you cannot always get an appointment straight away as the doctor you want to see is full up which is annoying particularly when you have a fit note thats about to run out.

Saying these negative things though the Harris Medical Centre does serve a purpose on Mereside estate and possibly patients would have to travel into town otherwise so in the end it does serve the community.

Can't get through for an appointment...I've been trying for a month and nothing. Is it really this bad? I'm trying to avoid urgent care and A&E ...

There is absolutely no need for reception staff to be so curt? The world we are living in at the moment is fraught with uncertainty and a great many of us are struggling to do the right things to keep us and others safe. (I even took it on myself to take a Covid test 30 minutes before my appointment). For me this was my first visit to a doctor's surgery since the pandemic hit; and so I was mindful that I followed the rules that were in place at the surgery.

On arriving at the front entrance there is a notice informing you that you need to push the bell. There is also a sanitiser dispenser in close proximity which I used before pushing the bell. I waited a short time then the door opened. I took it that this was my prompt to enter. So I opened the door and walked the couple of steps to the spot on the floor, that you are required to stand on, and waited for one of the two receptionists, who had acknowledged my arrival, to deal with my enquiry. It was then that another receptionist called Susan, a senior lady with short dark hair and glasses, who came storming in, and whilst looking straight at me, said loudly to her colleagues "how have people got in here? The door is supposed to be locked!" She then addressed me in quite a pithy manner saying "what are you here for?" I explained that I had an appointment (I was there at exactly the agreed time). She then said to me in her laconic style "sit over there!"

There are ways to deal with people in a respectful, dignified and courteous manner. Sadly this individual obviously didn't attend the training course.