Reviews
I think he is great
Initially I thought Dr Maclaren was a caring doctor. However, over the years my opinion of him has changed.. He writes his notes as he talks, so has no real communication. I have been given a wrong prescription, poor advise and my concerns are dismissed. I would not recommend this doctor.
I have been a patient of Dr Patrick MacLaren for many years. I am having serious doubts about his standards of care and professional ability as a GP, as there seems to be numerous errors he makes or miss diagnosis of illnesses you may suffer. He can become very defensive if you challenge him and at times can be insensitive to your actual medical problems you suffer. I have never met a Dr who seems more engrossed in typing up your conversation while/when you are engaged in a consultation in his room, he has little or do eye contact with his patient/s. He is very forgetful of what you may have discussed at previous consultations with him, and it is any wonder if he reads his own file notes he previously recorded on you. He is always running late with 2/3 patients in front. He is very poor at providing medical reports on your behalf. The practice has a very high turnover of students and the practice seems more keen to attract patient numbers for the surgery. Many other patients in the local community have also shared there reservations about Dr Patrick MacLaren over the years.
Dr MacLaren is smart and communicates well. He listens and is straightforward in responding. He is willing to refer patients and prescribe medication when needed. He keeps up-to-date with developments and has a positive outlook.