Thameside Medical Practice

Thameside Medical Practice 2016-04-05 Person 1 5 0

The receptionists vary, the younger ones are helpful, the older ones perhaps should retire. How much help you get depends on who you speak to and it varies hugely.

Thameside Medical Practice 2016-01-28 Person 2 5 0

One of the doctors left me a message asking me to call them, no other information was left so a little later in the day I called back. I don't know which receptionist answered the phone but I asked if the doctor was available and that they had left me a message asking to call. I was then interrogated about what I wanted to speak to the doctor about. I said I didn't know what the doctor wanted but that I was simply returning a call made to me. I was told in no uncertain terms that no doctor would leave a message like that and I must know what it was about. After seven minutes of explaining myself again and again the receptionist finally agreed to leave a message for the doctor who might then call me back or not depending on whether my call was genuine. I really don't understand the hostility of the receptionists at this practice, some are helpful and some require you to jump through hoops of fire even to leave a telephone message. You never know who you are speaking to so it is impossible to make any sort of complaint. I think these people are beyond training and the only solution is a mass clear out of these wastes of tax payer's money.

Thameside Medical Practice 2015-12-16 Person 2 5 0

The experience of going here is very mixed and depends a lot on the receptionist you deal with. Some are helpful, some are so far from helpful that it's a waste of time trying to deal with them. On several occasions I've put the phone down and called back later. It's a pity because it lets the whole place down. It would be a good idea if they wore name badges like most NHS staff do and then you would know who you were dealing with and gave their name when they answer the phone instead of the usual 'surgery' and nothing more. When you don't know who you are talking about complaining is impossible but maybe it's designed to be that way. I like Dr Bignell a great deal, she listens and is very helpful.

Thameside Medical Practice 2015-12-09 Person 4 5 0

I have had occasion to use the practice a great deal in the last few months. The Reception staff have been very efficient and helpful in getting appointments [some for telephone consultations]. I have been a patient here since the surgery opened in its current location and for many years in its previous premises in St Marks Road. In my view the practice is now functioning as well and perhaps even better than it has ever done and this is down to everyone: Doctors, Reception, Nurses, Cleaners, and I feel it is a great comfort to know they are such a good team.

Thameside Medical Practice 2015-12-04 Person 1 5 0

First impressions of a surgery are created by the receptionists so at Thameside the initial impression is unfavourable as the receptionists are a miserable group of people who expect you to jump through hoops of fire to make an appointment. Over 20+ years they have never improved, most have been there a very long time and I would pity anyone new coming in to work with them, I doubt the person would stay for long. It would be very useful if the receptionists wore name badges then the worst ones could be named and shamed. I've given up trying to be pleasant to them, it's a fruitless way to treat them and now I state my requirements and expect them to meet them, it's less stressful for me. Dr Norman and Dr Bignall are excellent doctors, caring, concerned and attentive. Penny the practice nurse embodies the misery of all the receptionists rolled into one and the woman who takes blood needs to learn to take blood and speak English. I've written sufficiently about Dr Childs elsewhere, if you need treatment don't see her, you'll do better looking up your problems on Google.