The Castle Surgery - Halstead

Jasmin Z.

Picking up a prescription and all I got was attitude from a member of staff because she couldn’t find it!!! Not my problem
This prescription could have been for heart trouble, so because she thought it wasn’t there then to hell with the client….
When she finally found it she slammed it to the desk and walked off

Absolutely disgraceful…I understand that zero tolerance to them with rude customers but I works both ways.
Next time I won’t be so nice with my words

Richard M.

Despite all the negative comments about this practice I have nothing but praise for them. I have only been a patient here for little over a year but have had to contact them several times. I have had no problem getting through on the phone and no problem getting a GP appointment when needed. Everyone I have dealt with has been both polite and helpful. I cannot find a bad word to say about them.

Vera H.

I tried 72 times between 8.25 and 9.05 (my phone registers every call). Still told no appointments today. Went to surgery and a surgery nurse requested a GP appointment for me. Made one for a GP to phone, two weeks later. This was for an appointment they told me to make by text. Tonight I tried to collect a new prescription the GP has ordered and was told the pharmacy closed at 5.30 even though the surgery doesn't close until 6pm and I have always collected about then as I work full time until 5pm. Very rude to ight. Glared at as I walked in, told we close so rudely but the young lady in front of me was given a paper prescription and told "take to the chemist to get dispensed" no politeness. Thought our surgery dispenses. It always has. 20 years and I've never had a paper prescription.

E A.

Tried to book two important appointments on separate occasions to be told that they don't book appointments you need to call in the morning to find out if they can see you that day. If you call in the afternoon because you work from 9am until 1pm you get told you have to call at 9am to speak to someone about appointments even though they apparently don't book them in advance. This is a ridiculous way to manage your appointments.

Update 14/10/2020: two more appointments cancelled. This is simply not acceptable. I am beyond furious and am now looking into an official complaint to medical negligence authorities.

Loulabelle

Awful . Can't get through on phones . I rang since 8.30 over and over. Eventually got through..after dozens of calls about 9am , was placed in a queue , got to no.2 to them be cut off .
Had to call back , eventually got through 15 mins later at no.6 . When I got through to a woman called Elaine , i was told
NO appointments I was too late. I explained I had been trying to get through for almost an hour and that I was cut off . She said no you weren't and didn't believe me . She was so rude and had a real attitude. I said i would really like to see a doctor. She said "reluctantly " well i'll get someone to call you and I'll tell them you said it was extremely urgent!!! I also asked to be reminded of a future appointment time as I hadn't been informed . She said if you had an appointment you'd know when it was ..!! I was in fact waiting to be told that informed.ation as THEY had contacted ME! Why can't they just be understanding, kind and considerate.!!! And More to the point why can't they be operating normally again now with face to face appointments !!!
DOCTORS ARE GREAT . IT'S RECEPTION GIVING BAD REPUTATION.

Gary H.

They have a deliberate policy in place to prevent you from making an appointment. According to their website you can book an appointment in 3 ways, in person, online or by phone. The staff refused to book me an appointment when I turned up in person, they also refused to register me on the online booking system advertised on their website and they have set their phone to be permanently engaged with no phone queuing system in place. Avoid this medical centre if you wish to retain your sanity!

sarah T.

If I could give the reception 0 I would there is not a time I ring up and they are helpful! Ride is an understatement. I was told after trying the line since 8.30 that at 12 it was to late to speak with dispensary although it was an emergency and I should have rung earlier. When telling them the line was engaged they told me there line has not been busy all day and that I need to press option , well if the main line is engaged how you ment to do that 🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️

Bec

Deserve no stars ..been calling since 8.30 this morning ..absolute joke . Constantly engaged . How are you supposed to make an appointment 😕 so far I have called 32 times 😐 it is ridiculous . Then if I go there to try , they'll say I should've rung first thing 🙄. This place is a joke ..staff rude and useless phone and booking system. Why can't they operate like other functioning surgeries 😡😡😡