Lonsdale Medical Centre (Tunbridge Wells)

I've been with this practice for about 18 months and have had, overall, a positive experience. When I've needed hospital referrals it's been dealt with really quickly and efficiently, appointments are relatively easy to come by, and - the thing that impresses me most - I've pretty much always seen the doctor/nurse right on time. Not everyone there is the friendliest or most approachable, though I guess I'm not there for coffee and a chat, but as a surgery they certainly get the job done.

Very helpful reception team and service always good. Never have to wait long for an appointment. Ok it's not a modern surgery by any means but who cares? You only have to sit and wait and read a magazine in a waiting room. Doctors here are all great. And some free parking too.

This used to be a great surgery when we moved here nine years ago, you could get an appointment the same day or if not, within two days. Increasingly over the last 18 months it’s become harder & harder to get an appt. Now the waiting time is 6 weeks for a face to face, or 3 weeks for a phoner. While I understand this is not entirely the fault of the surgery, it’s unacceptable and dangerous. I’m moving out of the area next month, and, to be honest, I am really glad - if I wasn’t, I would be seeking a new GP practice. Such a shame how a once excellent surgery had become such a different experience. The doctors and staff are lovely but I wouldn’t recommend registering here until they sort this current situation out.

Had a appointment with Dr T Buckland this afternoon, I can honestly say my first visit was 100% professional and very friendly, honest and carding. Very down to earth, engaging and made to feel very relaxed.

In my experience of taking a child relative to this surgery, Dr Derrick stood out as a thorough GP who clearly enjoys his work and has a great bedside manner. On each of the four occasions I have visited (as a carer - I am not on their list myself) the reception staff have been friendly and efficient, once I had got through on the phone, with no problems getting a timely appointment for a pre-school child. On the downside, the reception area is extremely small with zero privacy and there is a massive steep straight staircase - with a stairlift - that patients need to scale to get to most of the consultation rooms (the house is a Victorian mansion, not purpose-built, but even so...) Also, there have been a couple of occasions where prescriptions were not received by the pharmacy and had to be chased up. Finally, compared to the excellent Dr Derrick, it was noticeable that the other three clinicians we saw were some way behind in terms of listening skills and building a rapport. I am not planning to register here myself, but I am happy for my family members to continue to use the services on offer.

Supposed to get a call at 6.15 today regarding a fairly urgent matter. No one called and they're now closed. I get that the surgery is busy but this is just abysmal service for a GP practice.

Absolutely useless GP. I haven't received an accurate or good diagnosis for any problems from here in the over 7 years I've been coming here. GPs rush you out the door as fast as you come in and have no compassion, ask very little about anything and clearly don't care about providing decent care.
The only medical issues I've had any solutions to have either been through referrals because they don't know anything themselves or by the issues going away on their own.

Excellent doctors, but unfortunately it is near impossible to actually get to them. Busy surgery, very difficult to make an appointment, every problem takes weeks to resolve.
I had to change surgery, because my problems got worse and I couldn't get anyone in a reasonable amount of time.