Vale Medical Centre - Ratings and reviews
Reviews
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Review titled New System is inhumane - Sorry !
Rated 3 stars out of 5
by Anonymous - Posted on 12 December 2023
I've been with Vale Medical Centre for over 20 years and previously was always thoroughly impressed with the service. Always able to get a same day appointment if you called bang on 8.30 (and recently 8) am. Until this new system came in, which entails filling in forms. I suffer with regular severe chest infections due to a chronic illness which can only be cleared with antibiotics, this leaves me weak & unable to breathe properly with regular coughing fits. I just needed urgent antibiotics to clear it and they offered me an appointment 7 days later!! Furthermore I look after my elderly neighbour, there is No way she could navigate that system & I worry greatly for those with mental & physical disabilities in accessing services. The staff will still be great I'm sure ..but this system is inhumane & dangerous ! Sorry but it's true.
Visited December 2023
Review titled Vale Medical Centre
Replied on 10 January 2024
Dear Service user, I am sorry to hear about the difficulties you have encountered when completing the online system. While we understand your frustration, please be assured that we are trying to do our best with the limited resources. I can also assure you that our reception team is always happy to help and can complete the online forms to all patients unable to do so. If you would like to discuss this in more detail, please do contact the practice manager. Many thanks Vale Medical Centre
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Review titled Appointment after 5 days
Rated 3 stars out of 5
by Anonymous - Posted on 03 January 2024
I agree with previous review. I filled in the form and stated when I cannot have the appointment within next 4 days, then they made appointment outside of those dates. So what is the point of asking those not available days? Also I have asked for certain doctor but I was given somebody else, I thought that was odd especially after 5 days from the day filled in the form. Yes I am concerned about the lateness of the appointment. If I need antibiotics, I cannot wait that long.
Visited December 2023
Review titled Vale Medical Centre
Replied on 10 January 2024
Dear Service user, I am very sorry to hear about your dissatisfaction and I can only apologies for our mistake. I will be passing this feedback to the admin team who book and offer the appointments to the patients. Vale Medical Centre
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Review titled Amazing new appointment system
Rated 5 stars out of 5
by James Dodds - Posted on 14 September 2023
I love the new system - able to fill a form and receive an appointment without being on the phone for ages. Staff are always nice
Visited September 2023
Review titled Vale Medical Centre
Replied on 10 January 2024
Thank you very much for your review and kind words which will be passed to the team. Vale Medical Centre
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Review titled Excellent service
Rated 5 stars out of 5
by James Dodds - Posted on 14 September 2023
Used the new booking system and I’m very impressed! Very efficient!! GP took time to spend with me to explain it all.
Visited September 2023
Review titled Vale Medical Centre
Replied on 10 January 2024
Thank you very much for your feedback which will be passed to the managing team. Kind Regards Vale Medical Centre
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Review titled Impossible to get an appointment!
Rated 1 star out of 5
by Anonymous - Posted on 18 August 2023
They only release appointments on the day and even if you call at 8am on the dot you will be in a queue of 30+ callers - that takes on average 1hr 20 to get through. Only to be told no appointments. Same with the app - you have to go on at 9pm the night before and again go on at 9.01pm and there are not appointments left. They don't actually advertise this is when appointments are released so you can only do this if you are in the know. But my real annoyance is that you can't book any non urgent appointments in advance. What if I have built up courage to speak to someone about my mental health or something that has been worrying me. If it is so hard to get an appointment then it's easiest to give up and not seek help. I can't really comment on what the doctors are like as you can't get to see one.
Visited August 2023
Review titled Vale Medical Centre
Replied on 10 January 2024
Dear Service user, We have changed the appointment booking system in the last few months which will have addressed this issue. I hope you find the new system better. Kind Regards Vale Medical Centre
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Review titled Excellent service
Rated 5 stars out of 5
by John Dodds - Posted on 14 September 2023
Haven’t booked an appointment in awhile - attended the practice to find I picked the first day of a new booking system - very efficient and staff right from the patient receptionist who explained the new system thoroughly, to the GP who I spoke to.
Visited August 2023
Review titled Vale Medical Centre
Replied on 10 January 2024
Thank you very much for your feedback which we will be sharing with all the team. Vale Medical Centre
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Review titled Fantastic service
Rated 5 stars out of 5
by Anonymous - Posted on 30 August 2023
Since they introduced the new booking system I was able to get an appointment booked. Something that in the last would be very difficult to achieve. Well done all.
Visited August 2023
Review titled Vale Medical Centre
Replied on 10 January 2024
Thank you very much for your review. Very much appreciated and will be shared with the managing team. The Vale Medical Centre
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Review titled If you love waiting on the phone you'll love this place
Rated 2 stars out of 5
by Anonymous - Posted on 05 July 2023
No shade on the people who work here, who are outstanding, but waiting for the best part of an hour only to be told there's no available GPs and that you need to call again tomorrow to go through the same process for the chance to maybe get seen but probably not likely isn't exactly ideal in an emergency. In short don't be poor.
Visited July 2023
Review titled Vale Medical Centre
Replied on 07 July 2023
Thank you for your feedback. Please note that we are reviewing our telephone system and hope to have a new set -up in the next coming weeks. If you would like to discuss this in more detail, please do contact the Practice Manager. Kind Regards, Vale Medical Centre
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Review titled Good service and care
Rated 5 stars out of 5
by Anonymous - Posted on 03 August 2023
Recently registered and found the GP very attentive and caring. Would definitely recommend. Reception was busy but very helpful.
Visited July 2023
Review titled Vale Medical Centre
Replied on 07 August 2023
Thank you very much for your time you took to write these kind words. It is always nice to hear good feedback and it will be shared with the team.
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Review titled VeryGood Doctors But very Poor Service
Rated 2 stars out of 5
by Anonymous - Posted on 22 June 2023
At this point I am relying on this practise for medical support , having been fit until a few weeks ago. It is true my distressing as I have logged in many time time in patient access but told the app is not liked to the vale. There is a systemic problem , I have logged the problem twice with patient access and spoken to the practise several times . If a patient access system is only working for a proportion of patients it is in fit for use and a dangerous, especially when I was told that the vale are going to increase their reliance on the app which has systemic flaws. The only way I can see a doctor is if I line up by 7.30 and then there are only 5-10 appointments available as that’s on the day. If I telelephone at 8 am when the practise opens there are 40 people waiting . There is no triaging . You can only make an appointment on day if you téléphone or line up and then there is patient access that tells me my practise is not linked to it. And reception staff seem to have their head in the sand and insinuate it’s the patients problem . That is patronising and victim blaming
Visited June 2023
Review titled Vale Medical Centre
Replied on 07 July 2023
Thank you for your feedback and I am sorry to hear about your dissatisfaction. We are currently reviewing our appointment and telephone system so that we can reach as many patients as possible. We hope to have a new procedure in place in the next few months which we hope will help easing the pressure we currently face. If you would like to discuss this in more detail, please do contact the Practice Manager. Kind Regards, Vale Medical Centre