Reviews
When I first started to seeing Professor Coles for my epilepsy I couldn't believe what a lovely & caring chap he was. As the years went by our doctor patient relationship changed dramatically. I couldn't believe that someone could change. I lost all faith and confidence in him & going to the clinic for my appointments. So therefore I & my family I decided we will not be going to Addenbrookes Hospital for anymore appointments. I am glad to see that a lot of his patients have been treated well & speak highly of him. It's a shame it doesn't apply to all patients
Had my only experience with this Dr about 2 years ago as a MS patient. In general conversation asked me how I had got to his clinic from the car park and I replied that I had walked (hobbled on a stick and in great pain) to which he replied "well there can't be much wrong with you then" which left me dumbfounded. During the course of the examination he never once asked me about any of the other symptoms that plague me and I came away feeling let down and angry.
I notice that he is a Revd. and so maybe his attitude comes from talking down to people.
I shan't be rushing back.
He was not very kind and made me feel like I wasn't important enough to take up his time because I didn't have MS, actually tutting when I asked valid questions and refusing to answer. He told me one thing then wrote something different to my doctors. I felt like he was trying to patronise and intimidate me and I didn't trust him. He lied to my doctors and was unkind and inpatient with me.
He is obviously a very clever man which I think makes him think he is superior to his patients. Sometimes when you have a neurological disease you need a doctor with a firm belief in themselves and authority but only if they want to help you, not misuse that power and authority to make patients feel intimidated and upset. I was quite scared of him which is not a usual feeling for me. I suppose neurologists hold the power of life or death, treatment or not, compassionate care or not and that we are reliant on them doing the right thing and he didn't in my case.
Maybe he was just having a bad day though...
Very polite and friendly when he wanted a student to be in the consultation, then proceeded to tell me that what I am feeling is wrong, what other doctors have told me in the past was wrong, he then appeared to become annoyed with me and asked what I wanted from him. Came out more confused and feeling a bit like I had been more of a burden than a patient
I felt Prof Coles kept an eye out for me when I needed it.
Him and his team have been very supportive and available throughout the trial I was involved in and after.
Profile
Neurologist
Special interest in multiple sclerosis and neuroimmunology