Heathgate Medical Practice

I’m June 2024, I was diagnosed with Ovarian Cancer stage 3.
Three lady doctors missed the correct diagnoses which were:
1). Lymes disease
2). UTI
3). Hip problems
Over at leat a 12 month period.
When my tummy was swollen the Lead GP found the problem and put me on the Cancer pathway.
The Gynae Oncology Surgery was the person who held me up physically and emotionally, with his team otherwise I would be dead now. The chemotherapy was ridiculous, I had an oncologist who was based at Portsm ... outh Hospital and wanted to give me a diagnoses over the phone - the chemo way delayed by 3 weeks because apparently they didn’t have any in the hospital, shocking stuff. The senior matron apologised when I complained while being left in a corridor for 18 hours while my lungs where filled with fluid. The hospital/oncology mess was not due to clinical staff error, but managerial error!!! The original diagnosis was GP error x 3. I finally got an Oncologist who is excellent and all the nursing staff were/are brilliant. Due to all these errors I ended up with a stoma, lost a number of organs, lost 25% of my lung capacity. I had to have my mum put in a home where she died due to catching a chest infection. Only the other day I contacted my GP surgery because I had pain in my bladder, because I had no phone line, they were unable to see me and told me to go to the Walk-in centre as you can imagine at thd time I was horrified, I explained this to the surgery in writing and they asked me to discuss the situation in four weeks time? I contacted them saying that there was little point.
Had an ear problem today, didn’t bother with the he surgery as it is Friday, went to my walk-in centre instead and was seen and treated, issues a prescription in 40 minutes! Please explain too me how a City walk-in centre with less staff can physically see a patient at a drop of a hat! And yet it is 4-6 weeks for routine GP surgery? There is something seriously wrong here?

I wish to complain about a doctor who shouted at me. It was very unprofessional and I felt very scared and vulnerable. My complaint to the surgery was ignored. Dr Llewelyn is wonderful, I see her instead.

In the 35 years I have been a patient at this surgery, they have been generally consistently great. A remarkable achievement given the increased pressures within the NHS and seeing how expansion and development of the area Heathgate serves could have led to a decline in service.

The Practice has adapted to meet the need and I find staff helpful and accommodating. A good triage system ensures I have always been able to access an appointment when there has been a need.

Routine appointments wit ... h a clinician of choice (for consistency of care) is a little trickier and this is slightly frustrating, but I am mindful of pressures they face. A recent issue when I required emergency script prior to surgery saw the pharmacy go the extra mile to resolve in a timely fashion and alleviate additional potential stress for me.

I am very happy with them, they keep an eye on me, they're good - really good. It can take a long time to get an appointment, like it took me three days to get an appointment and it turned out I had sepsis.

I usually see Dr Barton who is very good. Access is ok I am local, I phone up and come in for results etc.

I rang this morning for an appointment and got one. The staff are all great, I always ring up - it is convenient and I get what I want,

I've been treated very well. I have Rheumatoid Arthritis and they help me every time I have been in trouble. The only thing is these telephone appointments, I would rather have face to face appointments but the doctors know that. I am 100% happy with how it is.

The doctors are empathetic, knowledgeable and go out of their way to help when they can, for example referring elsewhere and just offering support generally. The nursing staff are as well.

Monday morning trying to get through on the phone can be tricky. But generally access to healthcare here is really good.

I phone up and generally they tell me when to phone back if there are no appointments - I think they must have a two week rota

I think it is the attitude of people here that is so good. They are very responsive and try and problem solve and they are very good at listening.

Access is great, not a problem at all I either come in or ring up and am offered a good appointment for me.

The seating is too hard though in the waiting area, they need some softer chairs at the back

I would give them 6 stars if I could. I have no complaints whatsoever.

The approach, and attitude of staff - everyone you see is happy and smiling while they do things and are considered too. I always get what I need - I have never had any problems at all.

I have been coming here for 40 years and this is one of the best surgeries. I have no problem with access.

I have my INR and the nurse books my next appointment so I have no concerns.

This is such a well run surgery. Doctor Ames is a wonderful Doctor. This is very well run and all the doctors are wonderful. The staff are polite, they are helpful and efficient. The phones are answered quickly.