Islington Central Medical Centre

Patience is amazing! She is the nurse who did my cervical smear test and I was very nervous, but it was virtually pain-free and she is so friendly and put my nerves at ease. Cannot recommend her highly enough.

I've had some bad experiences with this practice over the years, being misdiagnosed, incredible waiting times to be allowed to see a GP, rude reception staff etc. But Dr Mudeen Iqbal was worse than anything ever before. He started the call telling me he had no time (to read a list of 10 Blood tests to me) was completely obstructive, rude, patronising, and really upset me. He refused to approve the blood tests the specialist had requested because he decided (as a generalist GP) that they were not necessary. My condition is worsened by stress, and he has caused me incredible anxiety. Clearly as a woman I should just shut up and follow his orders. Avoid at all costs!

I can't overstate just how awful this practice has been. I've never experienced such poor service, communication, and lack of any kind of care. I understand that the NHS is struggling and can empathise with the stress these doctors are no doubt under, but to pass that onto patients is not OK.

I had to wait two weeks for an appointment and then was given a 4 hour window of standby for a phone call. Dr Trivedi rang while I was in the shower and made his frustrations known to my partner. He was then extremely rude and standoffish from the outset and made me feel like a total inconvenience. Having waited 2 weeks to get to speak with a doctor who doesn't know you and who has barely read your notes, you then only have 5 or so minutes to try and get across what has been happening. I've been waiting almost 2 years for help with an issue.

When I brought up a really urgent request for a medical report for the police, Dr Trivedi tried to tell me they didn't do that. I had to read out the letter that specifically states from the police that it has to be my GP. Dr Trivedi was rude and dismissive, and showed a complete lack of concern for a very sensitive topic. He told me I had to go back through the econsult even though that would take even more time which I did not have. I ended the call in tears and dismayed at the absolute lack of care from this doctor. I really don't know why he chose this profession when at its very core is to HELP people. I have since gone back through the econsult and lo and behold, I have to wait another week to even discuss this request, let alone get it actioned by the police deadline.

The centre itself is clearly struggling with the number of patients but the way they palm you off to any doctor with no consistency only exacerbates it. You spend your whole 5 minute appointment having to rehash your history and plead your case. I've never felt so alone and dismissed when asking for help. Please, please do better.

And don't get me wrong, I have had an amazing doctor before who was attentive, understanding, and clearly wanted to help but it's the absolute luck of the draw if you will be assigned one like that. Besides, isn't that the bear minimum of what a doctor should be?

P.S I would've made the complaint through your online portal but you've made it so difficult and inaccessible to obviously try to deter people from making complaints.

I went to this medical centre to have three travel immunisations as I will be travelling to Thailand in November 22. I was seen on time by a nurse named Patience. I'm afraid of needles and Patience was so understanding, patient and assured me that it will not take long. She asked me to look the other way and before I knew it, all three immunisations were complete. Thank you so much for making me feel at ease. You are a star.

Best thing to do is to register with a much smaller GP with less patients. Otherwise waiting times take forever. It’s also two GP’s in one building. Roman Way and ICMC which makes things worse because staff and Doctor’s have to deal with both.

I have also seen some new faces. Must be because there is a high turnover of staff and they keep hiring people.

I can sympathise with the negative reviews for this practice. Unfortunately, as with most of the NHS, this surgery is under immense pressure. Sadly, this does often result in it being very hard to get an appointment, and the reception staff can be sometimes be a little forthright. I've had a mixed experience with the doctors, some have been great, others not so great. However, over the past 7 years I've tried my best to be exclusively seen by Dr Jeffcote, who has been incredible. She goes above and beyond and her bedside manner is amazing. I've been through some very tough times with my health over recent years and her ongoing support has been invaluable.

The clunky, repetitive and poorly written e-consult questionnaire system seems now to be the only way to get to speak to a doctor, eventually, at this formerly good practice. Forget about face to face appointments, or being able to discuss more than one issue, even if they are connected. A helpful (?) Dr told that me that 4 problems require 4 e-consults, which "will not be read properly" by clinicians who will set up 4 callbacks. I find this system unsettling, disappointing and frustrating.
We are now looking to transfer to a practice that doesn't use this hands off system. Any recommendations?

Team are knowledgeable, helpful and transparent, GP's here are amongst the best around.

On the rare occasion a mistake has happened, as soon as it was identified action was made to, acknowledge it, fix it, then follow up to make sure it was fixed.

That response is one of the true indicators of a quality service. This practice is by far the best in the area, because of a genuine effort to support patients as well caring about our wellbeing.