The College Practice

Having just moved to Maidstone from London and being very anxious about changing GPs, my two experiences so far (routine smear with a nurse and ongoing medication review with Dr Fernando) have been brilliant. Easy communication through Engage Consult, reasonable waiting time (for current times) and empathetic professional service. Thank you!

This Drs Surgery is disgusting. Hard to get hold of. Never any appointments. Rarely speak to the same Dr twice. Often rude, uncaring and dismissive receptionist staff. This practice does not deserve 1 star.

Totally Broken!! The staff are lovely but the practice is completely broken and the health and wellbeing of the patients is being compromised.

At the beginning of April I contacted the surgery with a medical complaint and they referred me for a scan. I had the scan and then had to chase them for weeks just to get a follow up call with a GP to discuss the results and next steps only to be told, twice, that the results were negative so I didn't need a call. Huh?? I still have the problem so I clearly do need a call to discuss the next steps, that's just logic surely? So about 8 weeks after my scan I finally got a call and was referred for blood tests, that they obviously couldn't do for another 3 weeks. I had the blood tests and unsurprisingly 3 weeks passed without anyone calling to discuss the results and next steps. I went back into the surgery (fortunately I walk past the surgery on my way home from work so can pop in and chase them rather than spending hours trying to get through on a phone line that is constantly at capacity) and was told, again, that the results were negative so I didn't need a call. WTA*? I explained, again, that I am still suffering so I need to speak to a GP to work out what to do next only to be told (I kid you not!) that they can't book appointments ATM because the system is broken but it's ok, it should be fixed in a couple of weeks so they'll start booking appointments then. You honestly can't make this up! So now it has been over 6 months since I first contacted the surgery, I'm still suffering and it looks like it'll be another month before I can even begin to discuss treatment.

Honestly, when I joined 4 or 5 years ago they were great, I have no idea what has happened but they are no longer fit for purpose and the patients are left to suffer

Ridiculous cannot get through to speak to someone. Call won't connect because the call queue is full at 8:02. Engage consult you get a stupid email reply from a receptionist dishing out medical advice ( you've already tried btw) to jump through hoops yet again to try and speak to a doctor. If you somehow do manage to get through you can expect an appointment a month later, at which point you've already become an emergency, been rushed to hospital for emergency surgery and got better only to get a call from the gp eventually asking what the problem is

it is embarrassing, making a call to the GP Albion Place is almost a miracle. I’ve been trying to get through for an hour and nothing. a tragedy has been since they changed their phone number and joined the college practice. How do I make an appointment regarding my health ??? in Albion, they picked up or called back, and here - zero.

From 3 days try. Contact with practice no space No appointment’s no nothing. Every day I get worse and worse . Today I go in early morning wait to explain my problems she say go to pharmacy or we give you call How to explain this to my boss he is from different country and is thinking I’m lied to him . From today I will stop pay me taxes ones I need help from 5 years no one respond I’m stop 🛑 pay any taxes 🤬🤬🤬🤬

Iv struggled for three years! Since having my youngest to even get my repeat asthma pumps. My special needs son, has to have medicine to ‘help him sleep’ but can’t get through when call,we turn up and it’s like a inconvenience to them! The rudeness of “ what would you like us to do about that!?!” .. it’s forever a struggle to speak to anyone! To see anyone! And yet we’re left at risk! I can’t take my asthma pumps properly if they haven’t given me any pumps!!!! I would prefer to move doctors all together.

Absolutely dreadfull service, every time I try and ring for an appointment I can never get through. The line is always full and won't even give the option of a call back. Worst practice by far. I've been trying to get in touch with them for over a month now and still I've not been able to get through. I'm thinking of changing to a different doctors. Appalling service.