Cleveleys Group Practice

Exceptional practice which has always been highly professional, offering expedient support and service. I have been with the practice since 2006 and every doctor I have seen has been polite, courteous and (most importantly) knowledgeable! Dr Whittle is extremely compassionate yet frank, perhaps a quality some people dont like but I prefer non-sugar coated full facts. The nursing team are excellent; caring, compassionate and competent. Even during the Coronavirus Covid-19 pandemic, I could ring up and speak to someone and have a doctor call me back to perform a telephone consultation.
I rarely bother to write reviews but feel people are too eager to moan and I wanted to ensure an honest, positive review as it's much deserved.

Currently struggling to even rate Cleveleys Group Practice as 1 star. Where to start? 1. Try to contact the Practice by telephone and be prepared for a long wait while you listen to a recording telling you – You are 13th in the queue etc. 2. Should you actually attend at the Surgery the reception staff go to the default setting ‘We are very busy, go to the walk in centre at Fleetwood’. 3. If you persevere and actually request an appointment to see a doctor or nurse expect an appointment in around 4 weeks (if you are lucky). 4. If you are convinced to accept a telephone appointment beware the call can be made at their convenience any time during the working day and if they ring the wrong number, that appears to be your fault and you have to start again at the back of the queue. The list could go on... A once excellent Doctors Practice seems to have forgotten its core existence is to provide health care to the local community!

Yes, it is more difficult to get an appointment these days, but that's the same at most GP Practices.
This review focuses on a specific Doctor rather than the Practice as a whole.
Took my 89 year old Mother to see Dr Bevz today after calling this morning and being able to get an emergency appointment. Dr Bevz was wonderful. It was like an "old fashioned" Doctor's appointment. He actually listened, was very helpful and informative and didn't once try to speed up the appointment and usher us out of the door like so many others seem to do. He took his time, asked us questions and listened to everything we said and asked. He came across as very caring and genuine, made us feel comfortable and we left with all our questions and concerns answered and things that needed to be arranged and in place all taken care of.
A huge thank you Dr Bevz, you are a credit to this Surgery.

One particular Dr is always rude and abuses his position. Had no support from any Dr in the surgery for my son's mental health and nuero diverse behaviours and struggles.

So impressed with this practice. Moved to cleveleys and transferred to this GP. When I had to see someone face to face, they didn’t fail to accommodate this. Dr Whittle is very thorough and clear. Everyone from the receptionists to the nurses are very pleasant. Like every other practice, it takes forever to get through on the phone but the ladies who answer the phone are always so lovely and never have an attitude. My only criticism is that they could do with another phone line for people who want to amend appointments/are running late for an appointment.

Just moved to practice in January 21 and not seen anyone since then.

On Thursday I waited 25 minutes to be answered at 8.15am. The receptionists are not able to make you an appointment (always ran out even at 8.15am), its always telephone appointment. I was getting chest infection symptons and know when to call, but I was told I couldnt see or talk to anyone until I did PCR test, which took 3 days to get results, by which time I felt dreadful but was negative.

I called back (25 mins to get reply) and GP surgety still wouldnt see me. Instead I got a nurse practitioner tell me on phone I dont need antibiotics, even though coughing up slight green phlem, wheezy, and couldnt talk as throat so painful, sinus pain, and been coughing for over 3 weeks and felt very poorly.

On Saturday I had to call 111 to ask to see someone as pain in back and lungs gurgling and wheezing, felt so poorly. Doctor I saw was lovely, within minutes she said had slight temp, heard crackling lower left lung, where I was getting pain. She asked why I hadnt gone to gp surgery sooner, and I told her I did call but wouldnt see me until had pcr test, then must think I'm a hypochondriac and have nothing better to then call to ask for more pills to add to my current rainbow of daily pills.

I called my friend up the road later same day, she sounded dreadful. She has asthma and couldnt breathe and had cough for over 5 weeks, could barely talk, was so poorly. We called 111 for her and within an hour my husband collected her meds and dropped off steroids, antibiotics and a blue inhaler as she had ran out. She was asked why she didnt attend surgery sooner, she said she was sick of telephone appts and surgery not willing to help her.

Many of us know our bodies... We dont want more pills and to unnecessarily take antibiotics... They dont kill viruses.... We get that, but these mutated colds and flus are very complex and dangerous. Both my friend and I are classed as vulnerable and need bit help sometimes.

When we call for help we want to feel like someones listening, not come off phone coughing and crying thinking nobody cares. Not everybody is a timewaster or a hypochondriac... Many of us genuinely know when we need to call a doctor and already have mental illness so find it hard to call with urgent care need.

Either of us couldve ended up in hospital with pneumonia... One because you wouldnt help, and another because she was too poorly from waiting too long to get help, as feels shes not being taken seriously. Both of us are lovely caring persons and wouldnt bother you if didnt need to.

Whats the point in putting TV Advert on saying you should never be afraid to get help from your GP, if safeguarding protocal is going to affect approachability and care?

Covid has put fear of God into everyone, us included. We know youre all tired, overworked,, understaffed, underpaid and often feel unapppreciated. We understand the need to safeguard you all, and totally appreciate and respect you, all we need is to feel listened to and respected too please... not everyone is suffering health anxiety, many of us are genuinely in need of help and dont want to feel whats the point. Thank you

I cannot fault the support and encouragement I have received from this practice, services and the district nurses since we have brought my father home to live with us for palliative care. Paula has been a godsend liaising with everybody and ringing me every day and pushing out all the stops to make sure everything was in place from a special bed to the extra and essential care needed to look after my father. I have so much admiration and appreciation for the District nurses who have been on call 24/7. They are all so friendly and very professional. Special thanks to DN Angela who came this morning and went above and beyond her reason for attending. Knowing that this level of support is there at the end of the phone is extremely comforting.
Judi Adams

I am struggling to give one star but had to so I can leave a review. Receptionist do not even work the phone's. It is a taped message played constantly so you never get through. It is easier to call in and see them face to face then you can get a service.