The doctors and nurses here are excellent but this medical centre is badly let down by its reception staff, most of whom appear to believe that their principal function is to deny you access to a medically qualified opinion. Most medical situations are not amenable to an appointment system that requires you to wait five, six or even seven days before seeing a qualified expert, and this surgery's booking system seems to expect everything else in your life (child care, employment etc.) to revolve around their own administrative needs. It is ridiculous to be unable to make an emergency appointment, and I have twice been told that I cannot make an appointment, even weeks in advance, because the booking system is 'changing'. I have been here many times over the last ten years, stemming from four or five different health issues arising and on every single occasion of my first presentation have been told that I could not or did not need to see a doctor. On three initial occasions I have been told to go to A&E department at the 'local' hospital, which is more than 10 miles away, across town (including, most recently, when my injury made it impossible for me to walk or drive, as I explained, to no avail). We all ought to understand the self and supported diagnostic remedies that are available on the internet, via NHS Direct and at the local pharmacy: I do understand these, and so I use these alternatives services as a matter of course, except when I really need to see a doctor. I also understand the need for surgery receptionists to perform a gatekeeping function against those who abuse the tax-funded but otherwise free service of a GP surgery, but I object to being treated in a manner so terse that it is almost rude, and so negative that it is almost hostile. The reception staff here come across as believing that anyone turning up to or telephoning the surgery is abusing the service: I have never yet been politely told to take a seat, wait and see a doctor as soon as one becomes available. and I have never yet been declined an appointment in a sympathetic and supportive manner, either. read more