The Tollgate Practice

So surprised to read all the bad reviews about this surgery. I moved to Colchester about 6 months ago and have probably attended The Tollgate Practice about 3 times plus a few telephone appointments, and every encounter has been absolutely great. So not sure if I've just been lucky or had low expectations after being used to GP services in London!

However what was outstanding was the service I received from Marie the nurse today. The fact that I am writing a review about a Smear test shows how in shock I am. I had an evening appointment to have a Smear test, which I had actually put off for over a year due to my two previous bad experiences. Every woman can attest to how uncomfortable this examination is but Marie was sooo gentle, I hardly felt a thing and was super quick. She really put me at ease and was so lovely, I genuinely didn't know a Smear could be this painless. I would genuinely recommend requesting Marie if you have anxiety about Smears.

Thank you for making this examination so pleasant :)

My family and I have been registered with this practice for about a year or so and we have nothing but praise for the surgery, I am really surprised to see some of the reviews. I have always found staff to be polite, knowledgeable, super helpful and go out of their way to help us. I've never had to be on hold for very long before speaking to someone. Staff always help you to get to the bottom of things even if they don't know the answer immediately. I've made several appointments (with HCAs, nurses and doctors) and all have been very professional. Thank you for your great service.

Lost my hearing was told no appointments. Told to go to a&e which was a 12 hour wait and my son is disabled so wouldn’t of been able to sit there that long. Not helpful. Rude receptionist. Ended up going private. What’s the point in being registered at a doctors when you can’t ever get an appointment! No wonder a&e is that long of a wait when that’s the solution the GP receptionist is giving!!!!

Truly the most appalling GP practice in Colchester. Have had a persistent cough for six weeks now with no sign of it abating on its own - so I'm hardly a excessively demanding patient - and their response? Go to A&E.
This is why the NHS is broken. This kind of disastrous practice management would never have been allowed during Dr Spooner's days.

My experiences since joining Tolgate Surgery 12+ years ago have always been very good but most recently following a visit by Dr Hannah whilst feeling very poorly with a chest infection they were exceptional. I appreciate how difficult things are at this busy time but Dr Hannah went out of her own to ensure I was checked and given the correct medication before the New Year break. She has followed up to ensure I also get the after care. It shows dedication to the health of the patient at a time I regularly hear complaints from friends and family. I am extremely grateful to be with this surgery and thankful to doctors like Dr Hannah.

I absolutely cannot believe the incompetency of this Surgery. Not only should it be shut down for good, the staff should all be banned from working in a caring facility ever again. If you're reading these reviews whilst contemplating whether to sign up to this surgery or not, the only thing I can say is, you would have better luck taking your child to visit Jimmy Saville for a check up. It's astonishing that this place even exists and their go to response to ANY query is ''We have no appointments available, if it's that bad, go to A&E.''

An absolutely pathetic excuse for a doctors surgery.

I called this practice on the 30th December AM to ask for an appointment to see a GP or nurse. I had been unwell for a couple of weeks and explained that I had fainted a couple of times. The reply was "well if that's the case you need to go to A&E" She then went on to say "no appointments today tomorrow next week" I was waiting for her to say in fact none at all next year. Her whole attitude was annoyance that I called at all. No empathy just cold and dismissive. Disgusting attitude from this woman.
Just to add I have also experienced friendly service from receptionists.

I am never one to write a review and especially not a bad one but I have had enough of the rude reception staff!

I have been at this doctors since it opened and I am now thinking of leaving because I will not continue to be spoken to by the reception staff the way they do. They will be the end of this surgery I’m sure of it as the doctors and nurses (especially Nurse Julie) are absolutely lovely.

It appears there has been many negative reviews about the reception staff but as far as I can tell there has been no improvement to their horrendous attitude.

I just called to get blood results and they told me I have to speak to my GP and they couldn’t be bothered to speak to me so told me to book in person tomorrow whilst I’m there for something else.