Westgate Practice

The booking system is an absolute joke. And is simply not good enough. Was meant to have a phone appointment, but recorded no call. Had to call back only to be told that I would have to book again by calling again on
Monday. Absolute disgrace. You should be able to book in advance. The receptionist were snotty and didn’t really care. I had to wait 30 minutes to even get to speak to someone when booking. Absolute joke

I must admit that I was initially put off by the bad reviews, however, pretty much every GP surgery has terrible reviews these days.

I'm new to the area and was able to sign up online which was quick and easy. I needed an appointment so called at 10am to be told to call back at 12pm for afternoon appointments (which is fine and isn't unusual for surgeries!). I called at 12 and was only in a phone queue of 5 people, I was offered a same day phone appointment. The phone appointment was very thorough and I was asked to come into the surgery the same day for some more investigations with the doctor which I was very impressed with as I was not expecting to be seen face to face on the same day! The appointment itself was one of the most thorough check ups I’ve ever had, I actually felt like the doctor cared about my symptoms and I was prescribed what I needed :) I wouldn't hesitate to use the services again and don't be put off by negative reviews because it's really not a bad GP.

I want to thank all of the staff at Westgate. Over the past year and a half I have seen such a massive improvement in this gp practice. The fact there is now two times of day you can call to get appointments controls the flow much more easily. Don’t get me wrong there are still queues, but what GP practice doesn’t have them? It’s just a case of being patient and I personally haven’t had any issues getting an appointment for the last year and a half. The staff on reception are really lovely and friendly, they have even gone out of their way for me a few times due to me working in an environment where I am not always available to answer my phone. It’s not an easy job at all especially in the current climate. Furthermore, practically all of the doctors or nurses I have spoken to I have had a great experience with, they have really put me at ease and I can tell they truly care about my concerns. I truly believe that the Westgate practice is doing all they can (within their capacity) to help their patients at the moment and I appreciate all of your hard work.

How is anyone actually getting through to the Westgate practice in order to leave these reviews? I registered a week ago in order to follow up on a scan (for a lump that I am still not aware is malignant) that I organised at my previous doctors. In the last week I have called this surgery at least 50 times. Nobody answers and there is no queue. I am starting to think that the number must be wrong. So yesterday I walked down to reception and was told that I needed to call up to make an appointment and couldn't do it at reception and to just "keep trying". How??? Unfortunately I am now in the process of registering at a practice further from my house which I will need to drive to. I checked and they at least have a queue that you can wait in to talk to someone.

I've really never known anything like it. If i could give 0 stars I would.

Have recently moved from another practice in the area after being with them for 26 years as wasn't happy and must say it's the best thing I've done , can always get an appointment when booking through the app , the receptionists are very helpful and friendly. I had a face to face appointment today and the GP was very professional and thorough explaining everything she was doing and why and was put at ease instantly.
Very happy with my experience highly recommend the surgery.

Very difficult reception staff, Its really gone downhill. I was asked for print out proof of my medication from my new doctor, but they refused to give it to me, now I have to wait weeks for an appointment at the new surgery before I can get my medication. I used this surgery my whole life, the surgery now is far too full & not enough staff and the reception staff treat you like cattle.

Terrible customer service. Rude staff, will speak to you rudely even though you’re right about something. When proven wrong no apologies. Waste of tax payers money shouldn’t be ran like this with public funds, it’s practises like this that absorb important NHS funding and will cause it to go belly up. Absolute mess.

GPs are great but it’s impossible to get an appointment. Called 36 times yesterday between 7.59 and 8.40 and couldn’t get through to a person. Appts supposedly loaded to the app at 19.00 the night prior but rarely materialise.