Balham Park Surgery
236 Balham High Road, London, Greater London, SW17 7AWContact details and opening times
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Reviews
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Review titled “Phone death loop”
by Tom kujawa - Posted on 28 May 2024
Phoned 111 with a health issue whilst away from London. They said would need to contact a local GP service, and told us to contact you a BPS in order to facilitate. When I contacted you (having been through both of your phone queues) was told that 111 had got it wrong as BPS doesn’t provide that service. Had to call 111 again (another 20 mins phone queue) and had to go through the system all again giving exactly the same details and highlighting that BPS doesn’t provide the said GP referral service to eventually be referred. (Btw, still waiting to be called back back from the BPS team as per promise looking to resolve the death loop finger pointing )
Visited May 2024
Review titled Balham Park Surgery
Replied on 28 May 2024
Dear Tom, Thank you for taking the time to leave us a review. I am sorry that you are struggling to access healthcare whilst away. I have tried to call you back to advise on what to do in this situation, but have not been able to make contact. Unfortunately you have been advised incorrectly, but I would like to help to get the care that is needed. Kind regards Jo Foley Practice Business Manager
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Review titled Bad support from Receptionist
Rated 1 star out of 5
by Joanna Ballintine - Posted on 13 May 2024
Today I visited the surgery, ten minutes early for an appointment, only to be told I was late and that therefore the appointment had been cancelled. I had made the appointment by telephone and written the time in my diary. Apparently this was the incorrect time, so I was 20 minutes late instead of ten minutes early! I said to the receptionist that I was feeling very unwell and could I wait incase one of the Doctors could see me. There was a firm no from the receptionist and I was told that I would have to wait a couple of weeks for another appointment. I told her again that I was feeling unwell and she told me to complete the triage form. I asked if she could give it to me and she told me it is the online form. I explained I was feeling very unwell and could she complete the form for me whilst I was standing with her. It says on the website that reception staff can do this. She told me that I was capable of doing it myself and I explained that as I was feeling unwell, I was not capable. She told me that as I had done it before I was had proved I could do it and that I should do it again myself. I explained that when I did the first form I was not feeling nearly as unwell as I was feeling now. She agreed reluctantly to write the form, typed a little and then told me it was done. I asked her why she had not asked me how I was feeling so the Doctor would be able to ascertain the urgency and she said that she had written that I had missed my appointment and therefore needed another. I said to her that this was not ok and to write what was actually wrong. She said "you could have done that yourself" - she typed a little more and said she had added it - but I have no idea if this was the case. This is not the first time that this has happened. A couple of months ago, during an acute allergic reaction to a drug, I was told by the receptionist on the phone to fill out the trauma form online and that I would be contacted within 48 hours. I simply wanted to ask a Doctor for some medication to settle the reaction. There was a flat refusal to move outside of the process and resulted in me having to call an ambulance. I was later contacted by the Practice Manager who apologised for the lack of an appropriate response to someone in need of an immediate consultation. The Doctors at the Practice are incredible and I have no qualms in recommending them - I have been a patient for 30 years, however, the reception staff appear to be very poorly trained and as "gate-keepers" they have elevated themselves to that of "decision makers" who decide when situations require immediate further support. It seems their default position is to send patients to A and E and saturate an already vastly overrun service. The new triage system is impersonal and inflexible and for older people or those who are not computer literate it is completely user unfriendly. I am sad to see that this wonderful Practice has become shambolic and unfriendly in the hands of some of the receptionists.
Visited May 2024
Review titled Balham Park Surgery
Replied on 20 May 2024
Dear Joanna, Thank you for taking the time to leave your feedback on our review page. I apologise that you have not had a positive experience with the surgery. I understand that my Operations Manager has been in touch to discuss the incident and investigate. If this is not the case, please do contact me at the surgery. Kind regards Jo Foley Practice Business Manager
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Review titled Mixed experience
Rated 3 stars out of 5
by Eamonn McBride - Posted on 04 March 2024
I’ve had mixed experiences at Balham Park Surgery. All the Doctors and Nursing staff I have seen have always been lovely, professional and very helpful but I’ve had other instances such as requesting a sick note and being told no one can look at my request for ten days, despite explaining that this risks me being put down as unauthorised unpaid leave at work (during a recession and cost of living crisis), and I also had some investigations at hospital, the results were sent to me GP as I can see on my NHS app but it’s been over three weeks and no one has contacted me to discuss them. Instances like this really impact patient experience and cause additional stress.
Visited March 2024
Review titled Balham Park Surgery
Replied on 25 March 2024
Dear Mr McBride, Thank you for taking the time to leave us a review. I am sorry that your recent experiences at the Surgery haven't been entirely positive. I am glad to hear that our clinical team are providing you with good care. With regards to your sick note request, these can take up to 10 days to process but are always backdated. We do advise patients when having blood tests that they need to make contact with the surgery regarding the results. If results are of concern, we do actively contact patients. If you would like to discuss anything further with me, please do contact me at the surgery. Kind regards Jo Foley Practice Business Manager 02087728772
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Review titled GPs present lack of sufficient knowledge and care
Rated 1 star out of 5
by Anonymous - Posted on 17 April 2024
I rarely do reviews, especially negative ones. That said, I must shed a light on this particular issue as I find GPs approach unacceptable and – to some extent – even ignorant. I have been with the surgery for about a decade now. Despite young age, I have been suffering from many health issues related to thyroid, stomach, etc. 90% of GPs I have had an appointment with present (to this day, may I add) a low level of knowledge dismissing my symptoms and other detailed blood tests that I had to pay for (yes, pay for!), saying (and I quote): 'But you're young' or 'We're not doing this test here' (which is very dismissive). I have been raising some very serious symptoms from last year, they only ever scheduled two tests without an ability to connect dots to my current outstanding health issues.. Fast forward to 2024, we still know nothing (i.e., zero diagnosis), and they've been scheduling the very same tests, and all I'm reading in messages is 'your X test and X tests are both normal' (of course they'll come normal if we're repeating the same tests within only few months apart); they don't even try to follow up or investigate the matter further themselves even though above symptoms have been persisting since last year, and I'm the one who constantly feels like something is wrong, but can't quite understand what it is as GPs don't care enough to dig deeper.
Visited February 2024
Review titled Balham Park Surgery
Replied on 20 May 2024
Thank you for taking the time to leave us a review. I am sorry that you have not received the care you need. Can I ask you to please make contact with me at the Surgery, so that I can assist you with your complaint and look into your concerns. Kind regards Jo Foley Practice Business Manager
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Review titled terrible care navigation and impossible appointments
Rated 1 star out of 5
by Anonymous - Posted on 19 December 2023
It's approaching impossible to get an appointment with the surgery despite having an acute medical problem that needs immediate care. I spoke with the care navigators twice and in both instances they ignored the details of my situation and told me I would have to wait 10 days for a telephone appointment - suggesting, in fact, that I should be grateful to have even this. It has been an appalling experience and the worst medical experience in memory. I am without any recourse as I am unable to speak with a Dr as we approach Christmas.
Visited December 2023
Review titled Balham Park Surgery
Replied on 25 March 2024
Thank you for taking the time to leave us a review. I am sorry that you have not had a very good experience in making an appointment with us. Since you posted your review, we have made significant changes to the way patients can request an appointment. Please see our website for further information www.balhamparksurgery.co.uk If you wish to discuss any of your concerns further, please do contact me at the surgery Kind regards Jo Foley Practice Business Manager 02087728772
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Review titled Really impressed
Rated 5 stars out of 5
by Emma - Posted on 04 August 2023
Moved to this surgery around a month ago due to my previous one closing. Was worried about my daughter who became unwell overnight so called the surgery for the first time. The receptionist was polite and efficient and said I would get a phone consultation within the next three hours! This was somewhat unexpected given at my old doctors it was very much hit or miss whether I could get on the day contact with a GP at all. Not only did a doctor call me within half an hour but they also arranged for me to have a face to face consultation straight away as she was concerned about the symptoms. Both the doctor on the phone consultation and the face to face consultation were really lovely and thorough and it has made me feel extremely reassured for any future health issues my family may have.
Visited August 2023
Review titled Balham Park Surgery
Replied on 09 August 2023
Dear Emma, Thank you for taking the time to leave a review. I ma very glad to here that you have found the service responsive and reassuring. I will ensure that this feedback is passed on to the whole team. Kind regards Jo Foley Practice Business Manager
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Review titled New patient experience
Rated 5 stars out of 5
by Rosaleen Elliott - Posted on 04 July 2023
Moving from another local surgery due to its closure, I was worried as I'd been happy and with the previous one for 34 years. The service, attention to detail and swift response at Balham Park have been impressive. The staff is helpful, patient and friendly, and the locum GP assigned to me has outdone any expectations I had. I've seen him twice so far and I would like him to become my named doctor.
Visited July 2023
Review titled Balham Park Surgery
Replied on 06 July 2023
Dear Rosaleen, Thank you for taking the time to leave us this 5 star review. We are so happy to hear that you have had a very positive experience with the practice. I will ensure that this review is passed on to the whole team. Kind regards Jo Foley Business Manager
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Review titled Wonderful practice
Rated 5 stars out of 5
by Joanne - Posted on 07 June 2023
My doctor has always taken the greatest of care to find the best way forward for my health and treatment. Such kindness and patience are shared throughout the practice by all I have been involved with. Thank you all
Visited June 2023
Review titled Balham Park Surgery
Replied on 20 June 2023
Dear Joanne, Thank you for taking the time to leave us your review. We are very happy that you have had such a positive experience with us. The review will be passed on to the whole team. Kind regards Jo Foley Practice Business Manager
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Review titled Impossible to book appointments
Rated 2 stars out of 5
by Anonymous - Posted on 18 June 2023
This surgery has made it near on impossible to book appointments. Neither the patient access or nhs app will let you book a GP, and thier website sends you off for some horrific AI triage stuff that still doesn’t get you a booking. Thier website goes on to tell you to only call “if you really really can’t do it online” (just to frustrate you a little more…). Which you can’t. Why can’t I just book an appointment like anywhere else?
Visited June 2023
Review titled Balham Park Surgery
Replied on 20 June 2023
Thank you for taking the time to leave us a review. I am sorry that you have not had a positive experience with us, and wondered if at all possible if I could discuss this with you further? If you are able to, please email me joanne.foley2@nhs.net or call the practice on 02087728772, so that we can discuss your concerns. Kind regards Jo Foley Practice Business Manager
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Review titled Great practice
Rated 5 stars out of 5
by Anonymous - Posted on 02 June 2023
As a new patient I was amazed by the efficiency, courteousness and overall pleasantness of my first experience with reception staff, Health Care Assistants and doctors. I felt everyone was interested in helping and responding to questions.
Visited May 2023
Review titled Balham Park Surgery
Replied on 06 June 2023
Thank you for taking the time to leave us this very positive review. We are very grateful for your feedback. I will ensure this is passed on to the whole team. Kind regards Jo Foley Practice Business Manager