Ashdown Forest Health Centre - Ratings and reviews
Reviews
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Review titled Difficulty obtaining an appointment
Rated 4 stars out of 5
by Elizabeth Forty - Posted on 22 March 2024
I telephoned the practice this morning at 8.30 on the dot. After holding on for 17 minutes I finally spoke to the receptionist. I have been referred by my optician who last week found evidence in my retinal scan of a new anomaly which could be indicative of high blood pressure. I wished to make an appointment to see a specific doctor as he is my GP. I was told this was impossible as his last appointment had just gone. I was given the option of completing an e-consult and asking my GP to deal with it, with the proviso that it might not be him, or getting a phone call from another clinician at some point this morning. There was no other way I could make an appointment to see my own GP. I opted for the phone call but ended up feeling quite despairing. This is a serious matter involving potentially very long term medication with all that implies, side effects, contraindications etc, and I want to see my own GP to dicuss it. Continuity of care is recognised as being fundamental to good medical practice and this is being systematically denied to me. The practice's methods of allocating appointments probably show up administratively as hitting government targets, but as a patient the experience is deeply unsatisfactory. I've been left feeling completely demoralised on top of already feeling anxious about my health. The only positive thing I can say was that knowing I was patient number 23 in the queue at least gave me some hope that I would eventually speak to someone. Overall a very negative experience.
Visited March 2024
Review titled Ashdown Forest Health Centre
Replied on 22 March 2024
Dear Mrs Forty Thank you for your feedback. I am sorry to read of your negative experience. Our Patient Services Manager is on hand to discuss such matters and concerns and she would be keen to discuss this with you in order that we can prevent this from happening again. Andrew Cornell – Managing Partner.
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Review titled Awful.
Rated 1 star out of 5
by Anonymous - Posted on 13 March 2024
Couldn’t even get an appointment, to speak to a doctor today. Honestly lost any faith I had left in this practise. My last appointment the doctor huffed and puffed because I took too long to walk to the surgery. They demanded I had to have a visit in person and I could barely stand but made it and then was slow to walk to the surgery. Then they rushed me out the appointment and left me with no clue what was wrong with me, but a prescription and still with questions. I telephone a month later with the same symptoms and receive this lack of care. Honestly awful. I can’t believe what the world is coming to and that anyone thinks this is okay. I’m definitely leaving here and am just so worried this is okay. Very worrying.
Visited February 2024
Review titled Ashdown Forest Health Centre
Replied on 13 March 2024
Dear Anonymous. I am sorry to read of your experience and that the service we provided did not meet your expectations. Our Patient Services Manager is available to discuss this matter and I would encourage you to contact the surgery in order that we can resolve this matter for you. Andrew Cornell – Managing Partner
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Review titled Terrible Appointments system
Rated 3 stars out of 5
by Steve Tees - Posted on 01 March 2024
Trying to get an appointment is a ridiculous farce. One has to call at either 08:30 or 13:30 on the dot to even get in a queue. For example, my wife has just tried to get an appointment to see Doctor Xxx. She tried at 08:30 this morning and eventually got through only to be told there were no more appointments available this morning and she should call back at 13:30. When she did so she was 16th in the queue! After nearly half an hour of waiting, she was told there were no appointments left and she needed to call tomorrow. Then she was told Dr Xxx was now away for 4 week! She was left close to tears. I have experienced similar farcical situations such as being told, in person, that I had an appointment at 13:30 by one receptionist only to be told that I hadn't and would have to request one. I do not understand why appointments cannot be booked even a day or more in advance. As to seeing the doctor one wants is even more impossible.
Visited February 2024
Review titled Ashdown Forest Health Centre
Replied on 13 March 2024
Dear Mr Tees. Thank you for your comments. I am sorry to read of your experience and that the service we provided did not meet your expectations. Our Patient Services Manager is available to discuss this matter and I would encourage you to contact the surgery in order that we can resolve this matter for you and discuss our appointments system. Andrew Cornell – Managing Partner
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Review titled Excellent Service
Rated 5 stars out of 5
by Heather Pratt - Posted on 27 December 2023
We needed a prescription renewed at very short notice. Phoned the always helpful surgery and explained issue, day after Boxing Day. Required prescription delivered to our house within 2 hours. Thanks so much
Visited December 2023
Review titled Ashdown Forest Health Centre
Replied on 27 December 2023
Many thanks for you kind review, I will ensure the entire team get to read your comments. Thank You - Andrew Cornell (Managing Partner)
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Review titled Excellent Care
Rated 5 stars out of 5
by Roger J A Taylor - Posted on 05 November 2023
Having left a "multi" local surgery I had a blood test at Ashdown Forest Health Centre in regard to my medication within 2 weeks of registering here, it was well over 2 years since my last surgery called me in for one of those! This blood test also revealed that I have a B12 deficiency which was explained expertly to me in a telephone call from my Doctor. I had my first injection last week and the others are already booked in as advised over the next two weeks. I cannot praise this surgery highly enough, not only because they spoke to me about my blood test results (my old surgery never did), but more importantly found a condition that I now know I have had for many years that was never found or not bothered about at my last surgery. I was putting most of the symptoms down to just getting older, and now thankfully with the right diagnosis and medication I will be feeling a whole lot better. Thanks again to Ashdown Forest Health Centre.
Visited November 2023
Review titled Ashdown Forest Health Centre
Replied on 07 November 2023
Dear Mr Taylor - Many thanks for taking the time to leave your feedback and comment on the service you received. I will ensure the team get to see your review which does make pleasant reading. Many thanks again for taking the time to share your positive experience. Andrew Cornell - Managing Partner.
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Review titled Outstanding
Rated 5 stars out of 5
by Avril Yvonne Taylor - Posted on 01 September 2023
Both my husband and I have recently joined this surgery from a "multi" local surgery practice, and my goodness what a different experience we have both received in the 2 weeks we have been with them. This is how we remember a surgery being run, friendly and helpful staff at all levels. I had a minor eye infection and was not sure I was fully registered with the practice, so at 9am completed an on line triage form on what was my then current surgery. I eventually had a call back from a doctor from a different surgery as part of the group at gone 3pm. Now to the difference with Ashdown Health Centre. I called them a little before 10.30am the same morning and found I was fully registered, I had a doctor call me at 12.40pm and I collected a prescription a short time later, this was all done before my "old surgery" had even bothered to get a doctor to speak to me. My husband was so impressed he also changed and has immediately experienced first class service. His "old" local surgery used to call him in for a blood test annually for his medication check, this has not happened for nearly 2 years and they would not then supply his medication until he had a blood test, this was going to take over 6 weeks to book by which time his medication would have run out. The attitude from the old surgery was for him to go to a hospital for it. After changing to Ashdown Health Centre he has already spoken to their pharmacist who has immediately renewed his prescription with the understanding that he would book a blood test with them asap, which he is having done on Thursday, so in 4 days, so different to 6 weeks. From our recent experiences of our "old" local surgery to this one, Ashdown Health Centre is how all surgeries used to be run and should still be run, the moment a "large corporation" gets involved service goes downhill, thank you Ashdown Health Centre, and every staff member both my husband and I have been in contact with for restoring our faith in NHS Surgeries.
Visited August 2023
Review titled Ashdown Forest Health Centre
Replied on 04 September 2023
Many thanks for taking the time to leave such a positive and honest review. At a time when the NHS comes under increased criticism, it is comforting to read that we are making a difference. I will ensure the entire team get to read your review. Many thanks Andrew Cornell - Practice Manager.
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Review titled Model practice
Rated 5 stars out of 5
by Robert Ludman - Posted on 17 July 2023
This practice is a template of how a GP practice can be when well managed, with all staff keen to be helpful and caring. Always possible to see a doctor on the day if important or in pain. The receptionists are very competent at sorting appointments and queries. Keep up the good work. Thank you all.
Visited July 2023
Review titled Ashdown Forest Health Centre
Replied on 19 July 2023
Many thanks for your very kind and honest review of our practice. I will ensure the entire team get to read your review. Thank you for taking the time to post such a positive review and sharing your experience. Andrew Cornell - Practice Manager
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Review titled Kind and caring
Rated 4 stars out of 5
by Anonymous - Posted on 15 March 2023
I was seen by the Physician's Associate and found her very kind and caring. It is the second time I have been seen by them and would be happy to have appointments in the futue with this person.
Visited March 2023
Review titled Ashdown Forest Health Centre
Replied on 16 March 2023
Many thanks for your positive feedback. I will ensure the member of staff concerned is made aware of this positive review. Many thanks - Andrew Cornell Practice Manager.
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Review titled A Great Practice
Rated 5 stars out of 5
by Mrs L P Chamberlain - Posted on 04 April 2023
I feel the need to say, given the negative news about the state of the NHS, through no fault of the individuals who work in it, how fortunate we are to be served by this Practice. They have an excellent system that enables patients to try to have access to a GP face to face or telephone appointment on 'the day' and the Receptionists manage this with courtesy and understanding. The service and care I have received from the GP's has always been considerate and understanding, thank you!
Visited January 2023
Review titled Ashdown Forest Health Centre
Replied on 11 April 2023
Mrs L P Chamberlain, many thanks for your kind words and glowing review of our practice. We do strive to provide the best possible service and understand that we don't always get it right but to receive such a nice review is always welcomed. I will ensure the entire team get to see this. Many thanks Andrew Cornell, Practice Manager
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Review titled Excellent Service Thankyou
Rated 5 stars out of 5
by Anonymous - Posted on 27 October 2022
I would like to thank all at the practice for the support that they have given to me with sudden health problems and also how quickly they supported me in a total knee replacement. You hear constantly about 2 year delays etc. for this type of operation but it only took 4 months from referral to the operation itself. Excellent. I have also been well supported by the excellent pharmacy and Nursing staff for support when travelling abroad. Really a totally excellent service through what has been a very challenging 2 years with Covid. Well done and thank you again to your whole team.
Visited October 2022
Review titled Ashdown Forest Health Centre
Replied on 27 October 2022
Dear Patient. Many thanks for your feedback. I gives me great joy reading your comments and to know that you received good service from us. I will ensure the entire team get to see your review. Thank you for taking the time to offer this feedback. Andrew Cornell Practice Manager