Hillmeads surgery is just your typical local doctors for around the Kings Norton, Hawksley and Pool…read moreFarm areas. It's family and children friendly, providing a petite little children's area in the corner of the waiting room as well as spaces for prams and push-chairs by the entrance which is easily accessible via the ramp into the surgery. The nurses and doctors here provide advice, support and inform patients of any matters caused for concern as well as supplying many means of actions to help their patients. If you're living locally around the area I would suggest registering with this NHS surgery as all nurses, doctors and reception staff are extremely helpful, gentle and informative with any queries you may have with them.

I CANNOT praise the doctors highly enough - not so certain members of the reception staff! I suffer…read morefrom PTSD, and I can suffer from severe panic attacks. This happened recently, and it caused me to faint. Later I was told that the receptionist said "Oh he's done this before - I'm on ho,d on the phone". NONE of the staff came to see if I was OK, and apparently I was left lying on the reception floor for several minutes UNATTENDED. I'm sorry, but at what point is it a sackable offence to OPENLY show contempt for patients in front of other patients? Eventually when I regained consciousness, I managed to take a seat, and was treated AS USUAL with care consideration and understanding by one of the doctors! Would they have ignored me if a woman had a panic attack? Sorry but in MY view, this is GROSS MISCONDUCT. I've seen some callous medical receptionists before, but this one was OPENLY HOSTILE. Hardly the face of the caring NHS!

I have been going to Bulkington Surgery for years now and I think it is a fantastic doctors. If…read morethey are taking on more NHS patients and you live in the area then I would certainly try to get in. Dr Jennings and Dr Paul are lovely and the receptionists are really rather nice as Doctors receptionists go! Its hard to get an appointment in advance but they save extras each day, so if you call before 9am you can usually get in that day. They also offer telephone consultation which is helpful if you are really ill or cant drive. Its got a decent car park so its easy to access. 10 / 10!

"Finally a decent doctors" is what I thought when first looking at the building. This opinion…read morechanged soon as I walked into the waiting room. From the outside it looked so modern but on the inside it looked like everything was a bit dated; magazines I understand but not old fashioned and uncomfortable beds I recently registered at this doctors' and was pleased to know it all happened there and then. There was none of that "send us your sample"/ "You'll be registered in a few days" this was lucky as I needed an appointment the next day. In fact it's pretty quick and easy to get an appointment. I had to see the nurse who didn't appear to care much about my health. I know she probably didn't care but it would've made me feel so much better. She didn't explain things properly either and got a bit patronising when things went wrong so I had to ask her explain again. On the other hand the doctor was better as she was kind and talked me through things but didn't make me feel reassured and the extremely uncomfortable examination didn't help!

After studying the effectiveness of Traditional Chinese Medicines and a trip to China, I have…read morealways been interested acupuncture. I decided to give it a go to help my nerves and stress. I don't suffer from stress more than the next person, but we could all do with chilling out. I was lay face down on a comfortable bed and asked where the needles were going to go. I'm scared of needles and syringes, however the ones they were using were only very short and they are also very thin. The needles were intended for my ears. Apparently the ears have lots of meridian channels that need to be blocked. Obviously the worst part of this was the needles going in and out of my ear, but that didn't really hurt too much if I must be honest. I was left in the room with the needles in my ear for half an hour, and I must admit I felt quite relaxed. Afterwards I felt more ready to deal with the stress in my life. I don't believe this is suggestion, I believe it is actually effective. I was pleased with the overall service here and would recommend acupuncture to any of my friends.

I've never been into the idea of acupuncture myself, and I must admit I'm a little bit dismissive…read moreof herbal remedies in general. My wife, however, is a fan of Chinese tea and herbs and we regularly pop in here to get various supplies. The staff are helpful and extremely knowledable about their products and will always offer advice and alternatives. Despite my reservations, a product my wife calls White Flower has been something of a revelation for me. It's a clear liquid that is quite pungent, but it works absolute wonders on aching muscles and bones. After a long day fighting against my large and unruly garden, and after I've showered and collapsed on the sofa, I tend to seize up a wee bit (I'm getting old!) - when that happens, White Flower does the job.

I had been coming to this Doctors surgery for 25 years, and think I took them for granted. To be…read morehonest, they have the longest wait ever and it used to drive me mad. However, a few house moves and different GPs later, I now appreciate them for the brilliant GPs that they are, and they are definitely worth the wait. They take the time to listen to you, take note of what you actually want, and seem to want what is best for you rather than to get you out of the door as fast as possible and get a fat salary. I guess this is why the appointment times over run! The surgery in Arley is a little outdated and could do with a revamp, but who cares when you get the medical help you need. In comparison, the other GP I was with has a nice complaint winging it's way to the nhs complaints team after I was told I was "a bit anal" for asking about nutrition advice, and being told you jump up and down after all the pills I take so he could hear me rattle!! So I've managed to get near enough to my old GPs and this time I really value them. I would strongly recommend them. They also dispense if you live in the village. They have their own free car park too.

I'm in two minds about Spring Hill. The doctors and nurses are great, when you can get in to see…read morethem; Dr Shah has gone out of his way get my concerns addressed each time I've gone to see him. Problem is getting in to see someone. The appointment system is ridiculous, to be honest. I'd registered for the online system when I first attended, then they changed systems and have asked me to go to the GP surgery with ID, which I now can't do due to COVID. You're told to call at 8am for an appointment, can't get through, and when you finally get through at 8:20 they're all gone. The admin team are hit and miss; some of them have really gone out of their way to help, but others have just been outright rude on the phone. If there was a closer surgery I'd go there - a great GP is only great when you can access them.

The days of the NHS are coming to an end some would suggest under current Tory government. Karis…read moremedical centre is a good example of why we should keep this great societal tradition alive. The medical centre is housed in a large building and caters to the Ladywood and City Centre areas. New housing developments in the City Centre have caused a rise in the number of patients in this area and Karis Medical Centre lives up to its heavy demands. As a patient here I was never subjected to long waiting times or bad service. I was usually seen the same week and was always given a choice in what doctor I wanted to see. The medical centre caters for a variety of life's ills and is easily located from the Hagley Road. A children's play area is available for those that have children. A play centre is not really needed as the waiting times are short. If you live in Ladywood or City Centre then I would recommend using Karis Medical Centre for your General Practitioner.

The Hyman Practice is on the second floor of the fairly new Attwood Green medical centre. The whole…read morebuilding is very modern and clean. The Hyman Practice is also very modern and clean with a spacious waiting room with lots of seats so you don't feel like you're catching anyone's bugs! As you walk in you can speak to the receptionists or use the self check in machine on the wall. I always find the reception staff kind and efficient. Reception staff often get a bad rep but they are lovely here. I visited different nurses at the practice several times last year as I had a burn that needed changing and checking. They were incredibly kind and gave excellent advice. I've only seen a doctor once and she was also very kind, efficient and helpful. Handily there is a pharmacy downstairs so you can pick up prescriptions there. There are just two issues. Firstly, it can be difficult to get an appointment with a doctor. You can sit on the phone ringing and ringing for ages. Secondly there is often a delay when waiting for your appointment. However I think these are problems across the NHS rather than with the individual practice.

My first time at this hospital bringing a relative for treatment. As I was sat there all day…read morewaiting, I was in a position to observe the everyday bustle which goes on in all NHS hospitals. ALL staff I spoke to were very very pleasant and helpful. Walking through the corridors I am so impressed with the cleaniness and how diligent the cleaners are. Even the receptionists cleaned their work area. The restaurant was also very clean, and were clearing and cleaning the seating areas regularly. I have unfortunately had regular visits to Heartlands and Solihull and they are filthy dirty and rarely saw a cleaner. Well done to you all. Susan Robinson, Solihull

No problem with the hospital itself (I mean, it's a hospital, there are good and bad in every one,…read morebut no-one likes being there) however, I would like to say something about the shop in the outpatients department. This is a hospital where there are sick people, miserable relatives, and hundreds of people who have been waiting hours and hours to see a consultant / get an x-ray etc. If you're going to volunteer to work in a hospital shop, do it because you want to help out. You don't have to make small talk, but at least smile. Unfortunately, the women running this shop were just downright rude. They were patronizing, had no patience when I couldn't find my purse, and tutted when my brother asked to add something at the last minute. Very disappointing. The rest of the hospital staff were great, though.