Lowfield Medical Centre - Ratings and reviews
Reviews
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Review titled Great Practice
Rated 5 stars out of 5
by Sue C - Posted on 09 May 2024
I was extremely unhappy with my previous GP and decided to change to Lowfield Medical Centre on a friend’s recommendation - so pleased I did! From the start the service they provide is so different - so professional, so friendly, so thorough. Reception staff very helpful and patient, surgery premises very clean and well laid out. My medications were checked, annual blood tests I require arranged quickly and the results put online very quickly for me to see. Follow up on results by medical practitioner were thorough and professional. I am very satisfied with the medical practice and all the staff I have encountered so far.
Visited May 2024
Review titled Lowfield Medical Centre
Replied on 11 May 2024
Dear Sue, Thank you for your feedback. We are pleased to see that you have had a very positive encounter with all members of our team. Thank you once again for taking the time to review our services.
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Review titled Terrible
Rated 1 star out of 5
by Seyi A - Posted on 24 April 2024
I have been with this surgery for about 7years. My kids contracted a sudden rash and fever which started with my toddler and this was then passed on to my 7&9 year old. They were so sick they couldn’t return to school for the first week. I took them to see the GP and I was told to keep on giving them Calpol and Ibruprofen. Then I took them back 5days later when their condition worsened with new symptoms. Doc confirmed one child had an ear infection and the other had an inflammation. She still insisted we should carry on with an increased dosage of the ibruprofen & Calpol. Note that she could see how poorly my son was. He could barely walk. It was evident at this point that he would need antibiotics for the infection as he was in pain with his ears and stomach. At this point he was going deaf as he couldn’t hear us. This was a Friday evening appointment and the GP did not deem it appropriate to treat a 9year old with the correct medication. I took him home and followed her advise of increasing dosage but at this point I knew I had to seek a second opinion as it did not seem right to me. He was always in and out of it, but by Saturday night he was in so much pain no one could sleep! Bear in mind that the doctor had categorically stated that I should not bring him back until Tuesday ‘if his condition worsens’ but if it’s the same I was told not to bring him. By Sunday morning I took him down to A&E and thankfully he was treated right away. The doctors there were really confused as to why he wasn’t treated with antibiotics on Friday when the GP confirmed he had an infection in his ear. His throat was red as well and they confirmed he was really in bad shape. Every time I think about my experience with this surgery I feel so sick in my stomach that a doctor would not choose to care for a child the correct way because I still do not understand the rationale behind the not treating him the right way. I hope you all change as it should be patient care first! It is bad enough that parents are trying our best to keep our full time job whilst still caring for our children! Please show mercy and do the right thing for your patients!
Visited April 2024
Review titled Lowfield Medical Centre
Replied on 11 May 2024
Dear Seyi We are sorry to hear that you had a negative experience at your last visit to our service. We are happy to meet with you at a mutually convenient time to discuss the details of your children’s cases. Without getting into the specifics of the children’s consultation, we would like to assure you that the clinician took a detailed history, examined both the children and based the treatment on their examination findings on that day. The treatment given to your children on that day was based on the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines for managing ear infections. https://cks.nice.org.uk/topics/otitis-media-acute/management/acute-otitis-media-initial-presentation/ The clinician also provided you with a patient information leaflet on how to self-manage respiratory tract infections. This leaflet had information about the usual duration of illness, how to look after the child and when to seek further help as occasionally, these illnesses can progress and the child may become more unwell. We note that this happened to one of your children and that you recognised the symptoms and sought help via A/E. We acknowledge that it is difficult for families when more than one child is unwell but it is common for upper respiratory tract infections to spread within the household.
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Review titled Great practice
Rated 5 stars out of 5
by David Crosswell - Posted on 09 May 2024
I obtained an appointment quickly and the doctor was very professional and I felt she cared about my health and well being . The staff at the practice are very efficient and helpful and I am pleased I am a patient at this practice .
Visited April 2024
Review titled Lowfield Medical Centre
Replied on 11 May 2024
Dear Mr Crosswell, Thank you very much for your positive comments. We hope to continue providing a good service for all our patients.
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Review titled Awful
Rated 1 star out of 5
by Anonymous - Posted on 29 April 2024
This GP practice definitely do not care about their patient health. First thing they do when you call is pick one thing you’ve said and quickly pass you on to whoever. They never have any appointments for you to see the GP. I called this morning, and I got told I would be referred to pharmacist without knowing my symptoms. Of course as always they have no GP slots until Thursday. How ridiculous is that?! You need to say you are not breathing or something before they will count you worthy to be seen. Don’t even understand the point of being registered to a a GP when they don’t even want to see their patients. Do better please. Personally I have lost faith in your service.
Visited April 2024
Review titled Lowfield Medical Centre
Replied on 11 May 2024
Thank you for your feedback. Due to the growing population and a shortage of GPs, there is tremendous pressure on our service. To address this issue to some extent, we now have a range of professionals (practice nurses, health care assistants, clinical pharmacists, physiotherapists, paramedics, mental health practitioners, care coordinators, Pharmacy technicians etc )based at the surgery who are skilled and qualified to deal with a wide range of problems that patients present with ,which traditionally were dealt by the GP. All these clinicians are fully supported by the doctors and have full access to the GP for advice if and when needed. When you call the surgery, the phone is answered by a Care Navigator. They are members of our team who have been trained to help you get the right help from the right place. They ask you some basic questions regarding the nature of your concern and then direct you to either the best member of the practice healthcare team to deal with medical issues or connect you with the most appropriate service for any other support you might need.
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Review titled Awful
Rated 1 star out of 5
by Ikenna - Posted on 29 April 2024
I have called the surgery first thing this (Monday) morning to request an appointment for myself and my spouse to see the doctor. We were number 3 on the call. Spoke with the receptionist who did not bother to ask what my symptoms are but decided that due to my ‘symptoms’ she will refer us to the pharmacist. Bear in mind that we have been treating ourselves for almost 2 weeks as the children were ill and then we caught it too. She asked no information whatsoever but decided we are not worthy to see the doctor and was offering an appointment for Thursday. I find this very disturbing! How are receptionists allowed to do this? How is it that on a Monday being 3rd in the queue no appointments are available? Why are we paying our taxes and national insurance but refused the right to see a doctor? We have already tried to see a pharmacist on our own and treated ourselves to the usual paracetamol & Ibruprofen so why exactly am I being told to go to a pharmacist again? This is becoming really unfair!!!!
Visited April 2024
Review titled Lowfield Medical Centre
Replied on 11 May 2024
Dear Ikenna, Thank you for the feedback. Due to the growing population in Dartford and a huge shortage of GPs both locally and nationally, there is unprecedented pressure on our services. When you called the surgery, the phone was answered by our Care Navigator who has been trained to help you get the right help from the right place. She asked you some basic questions regarding the nature of your concern and then directed you to “Pharmacy first” .This new service backed by the government and NHS England is to help patients access safe and high quality healthcare for some common illnesses. The pharmacists who provide this service follow a robust clinical pathway and if appropriate are also able to provide a prescription. After the consultation with the pharmacist, the pharmacy then sends a notification to the patient’s GP within two working days. We would like to assure you that our Care Navigator was helping you to access safe healthcare on the same day.
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Review titled Dr refused to provide a fit note for amended duties
Rated 2 stars out of 5
by Anonymous - Posted on 04 January 2024
I don’t normally write reviews but today was an absolute waste of time. Today I Saw the duty Dr today at this surgery in relation to my shoulder, I found her to be very unprofessional in how she was talking, even though I provided evidence that I needed amended duties at work from a physiotherapist in form of a letter to my employer she refused to provide a fit note stating this. However she was quick to say she can provide me with a fit note to say that I can be off work. This Dr kept saying that she couldn’t say I needed amended duties as she didn’t know what I did, despite me telling her what I do. All she said she could do is refer to the physios letter to my employer. How can a medical professional who accepts the same outcome (after examining me) as a physiotherapist not come to the same conclusion as the physiotherapist with duties related to work.
Visited January 2024
Review titled Lowfield Medical Centre
Replied on 13 January 2024
We are sorry to hear your feedback. As you have posted this review anonymously, we are unable to look into your particular case. GPs are unable to comment on the specifics of what amended duties a person can or cannot do as it is beyond their remit. It is a matter for discussion and mutual agreement between the employer and employee or the employer needs to seek advice from an Occupational health specialist. You state that the physiotherapist had already provided you with a letter stating what amended duties you could do. Therefore there is no necessity for a GP to provide you with a fit note. According to the updated information on the following link The fit note: guidance for patients and employees - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) , Department of work and Pension have also enabled nurses, occupational therapists, pharmacists, and physiotherapists, in additions to doctors, to certify fit notes.
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Review titled Recent visit
Rated 4 stars out of 5
by Anonymous - Posted on 15 January 2024
Obtained routine apt easily and was impressed on attending with the recent refurbishment...light, bright and appears to have made good use of space. Booked in electronically on arrival and saw the doctor soon afterwards.
Visited January 2024
Review titled Lowfield Medical Centre
Replied on 22 January 2024
Thankyou very much for your review. We appreciate your feedback on the recent refurbishment that has been done.
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Review titled Great practice
Rated 5 stars out of 5
by Carol Barber - Posted on 05 January 2024
I went with my husband this morning to see the doctor, after seeing my husband with a very satisfying conclusion.Doctor asked me if I was well, which I was not.Because the doctor had a cancellation she was able to see me, again we left very satisfied and happy.
Visited January 2024
Review titled Lowfield Medical Centre
Replied on 13 January 2024
Dear Mrs Barber Thank you very much for a positive feedback on our service . We are pleased to know that both you and your husband left the practice feeling satisfied and happy .
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Review titled Very friendly doctor
Rated 5 stars out of 5
by Aditya Singh - Posted on 29 January 2024
We were given detailed explaination for all our concerns and they were addressed proactively. Definately one of best doctor I have met and dealth with.
Visited January 2024
Review titled Lowfield Medical Centre
Replied on 29 January 2024
Dear Mr Singh, We are very happy to know that all your concerns were dealt with and that you had such a positive experience of the service we provide. Thankyou for your feedback.
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Review titled Good end of life care at home
Rated 5 stars out of 5
by Anonymous - Posted on 19 January 2024
The GPS at this practice enabled me to nurse my elderly mum at home and keep her wishes to die at home surrounded by her family . They always answered any questions I had or concerns and visited at home if needed and was always kind and courteous to mum and gave her the best care after discussing everything with me as she had dementia . Nothing was too much trouble for them . I will be forever grateful to them . Also after phoning and speaking to my own GP tonight I was very touched thst firstly she offered me her condolences and asked how I was
Visited November 2023
Review titled Lowfield Medical Centre
Replied on 22 January 2024
Thankyou very much for your positive feedback. We are pleased to know that we were able to offer you help at such a difficult time in your life. We will continue to strive to provide an excellent service for all our patients. Thankyou once again for sharing your experience.