Acklam Medical Centre

Unfortunately we as a family have left the practice after almost 10 years. We have not needed to access GP services more that 2-3 times a year, and when we have needed to its been almost impossible to get through on the phone, its over 90 minute wait times. By this time there are no appointments left and no alternatives offered but to try again next day. For a child i was send to text to send photos and received a text message diagnostic which suggested medication i should buy. It is impossible to speak to or see a medically trained professional, however if you do get through to a receptionist, they want to know the FULL details of your condition and seem to be triaging patients, i would like to know what medical qualifications they have that enables them to do this....

The main problem with this GP is getting to even see anyone. If you put in an eConsult, they just tell you to ring back so it's utterly pointless putting one through. I rang back as requested and was stuck in a huge queue. When I finally got through to the reception, I was told there were no appointments and that they couldn't even guarantee I would get one. They wouldn't even book me a callback for a future day, I had to try and call each morning at 8am, which when you work is completely ridiculous. This is a problem I've had several times, it's clear that the surgery is massively over-subscribed and they can't cope. The service is worse than it's ever been. Unfortunately it's been like this for years and I don't see it changing. I dread to think how bad it would be trying to arrange regular appointments with them.

Absolute shambles of a surgery!! Told I would get call back but didn't!! Finally got through on phone after 30 min wait to be told no appointments to go to pharmacy and get my bp checked. This patient care at this surgery is ridiculous.

ZERO STARS. ZERO STARS.
Tried to ring for an appontment today been on phone for over 1 hour in a Q and not moved position give up in the end..... really terrible service its no wonder people go to A&E with Minor concerns... Shambles

SORT YOUR SYSTEMS OUT

After been on phone for 3 hours waiting was told no appointments available told to go to walk in centre or try again tomorrow. It is now tomorrow and been on phone in a queue for 1 hour 30 minutes over 30 in queue does not even deserve the 1 star i had to give

Really poor duty of care and the worst GP surgery I have ever encountered. I don't doubt that the clinicians care but the processes and policies are a shocking disgrace, left waiting over 3 weeks for test results despite ringing continually, promised call backs do not materialise, inconsistencies in response to reasons why it took so long. No follow up from discharge from hospital - can it get any worse.
The onus is on the patient to remind the surgery what needs to happen and do the follow up and chasing.
I changed to this surgery for convenience to my home, not actually seen a doctor in the 3 years or so I have been on the books and really wished I hadn't changed.
It is clear that everybody at the surgery is overwhelmed with the workload , they need a visit from the CQC to shake up the management and get resources in place - only then will real care and responsibility come.

No appointments for my child today, ok I understand that. I go on to suggest 111 and the receptionist cuts me off with “I wouldn’t as it’s not urgent”. Appalling advice from someone with no medical background despite repeatedly being told important medical information.