Belmont Hill GP Surgery

It has become a really poorly run shell of a doctor's surgery. It operates a block in its system to actually get an appointment. It only now does video or phone calls first. You get eventually given a 2 hour window where you have to be in for a call. On three occasions now that is not delivered. So you ring to chase to get the call promised. You wait ages always on the phone and every time have to hear the extended voice message. On several occasions the phone just rings and isn't answered. The receptionists are always not very helpful and either don't know or can't do anything. So it either forces you to eventually to ring in and get an urgent appointment, because you can't get a normal appointment or waste days and days hoping a phone call comes when in. I did get a call as a message once, but no number to call back on so it all starts again. This to get a phone call to talk about my knee, which I know can't be done on a call...but I have to have the call and waste the days and days doing it in order to hope I can then get an appointment. This is just an unnecessary and total logistical shambles. See why so low in ratings.

Before lockdown I have been satisfied with the Dr's there.The hygiene is good and both visits were taken care of by very nice doctors. Particularly liked Dr A-------,apologies o forgot her name a very positive African nurse .

Unfortunately more recently it has been hard to get a real appointment, I think they were very short staffed or choked with a mass of patients.

Recently on line Dr service was professional, I got a form link immediately and uploaded pictures of my problem areas and felt reassured and was listened to. Was given an appointment for a blood test immediately.

Not helpful.
Waste of time.
While I’m waiting I have more thoughts that better to go to the hospital.
Last time I was 1st of July, and GP promised to send me a referral for a screen test.
I haven’t received anything yet.

Not helpful at all, it’s like everyone are robots rather than humans.
You work for National Health Service so you are suppose to be empathetic and go out of your way to support others. Be kind and helpful, not grumpy and uninterested. It’s not nice.

Since joining with other practices, the service went rapidly downhill and waiting times for GO telephone appointments are very long now. To see a GP in person is practically impossible.

There are no original doctors still practising at this surgery. Dr Holloway was the best doctor there and number 2 was Dr Pierpoint. All doctors currently practising were locums who obviously stayed on. Receptionists are horrendous and I can only surmise that this is because the doctors don't actually want to 'see' their patients and so put them in a very difficult situation. The sooner surgeries like this one goes out of 'business' the better!

Horrible horrible service. Called 111 and was told to call my gp to say I had been assessed and I needed to speak to an actual doctor. I called and the receptionist said I was an inactive patient so I need to come in which isn’t possible in my state. I tried to explain to her and confirmed all necessary details but she wouldn’t budge and told me to call 111 back. You need to change your inhumane first point of contact. I am in bad state and no empathy or concern was shown so I can speak to a doctor. Ive lost my voice and hearing but this unkind lady won’t let me speak to a doctor. Is it until I’m dead that they will take me seriously? I feel really really horrible.

Everyone's experiences are valid, but countering some of the negativity here as I called up the reception staff to ask about extra details on my operable condition so I'd have the facts on hand to look at potential private treatment if needed. Not only did she find and decipher the details, she then also swept through all possible private hospitals in the area and found me an NHS booking within a few weeks. Above and beyond, and incredibly helpful.