Lighthouse Group Practice (Southsea Medical Centre & Devonshire Practice) - Southsea

Tracey D.

As with everywhere in the UK booking a necessary appointment is a lengthy wait. However, reception amd nursing staff are lovely! Equally, having complex medical needs, both, my primary GP, Dr (I'm not gonna say the name as sooo good!). But, truly, all the GPS from yhis practice that I have experienced have been listening, observant, caring, inquiring and, in generally, exceptional.

hannah W.

Telephone service much better, easy access via the app for meds and your history. Surgery communication is still hit and miss.

But it is still the long wait times for appointments that are letting the practice down, with an increase in patient load, also saw an increase in doctors, yet this didn’t cut the wait times unfortunately.
Waiting 4-6 weeks either for a telephone consult or face to face, and when you’re asked what doctor saw you previously and do you want to see them again this time you tick yes, you just get any doctors available, meaning a long chat before regarding your complex history.

Not sure anything can improve or change as there is too many people and not enough doctors.

Gabriella D.

Was dealt with quickly initially. Got referred for blood tests. They came out clear. Was never called to be told the results and was never followed up about how the still ongoing problem is going to be fixed or what the next steps are. I had to re book on the website which didn’t let me because there were too many people booked in that day. Had to re book another day and only got offered an appointment 6 weeks later for something that is a struggle to daily life!

Susan L. C.

Have been with this doctor's practice for over 50 years. Since many doctors have retired, the practice has gone downhill quite dramatically. Under
standing also, the many changes to the systems. Would like to stay with this surgery, many other doctors practices are having the same problem, too many patients, not enough doctors, not enough time.
1st February 2024, Asda sent a repeat prescription for my husband via email, one email with 2 items to the surgery, only needed 1 item, Volterol for his knees, so that he can drive to work, to pay the mortgage. 8 days later, went to Asda pharmacy to collect this Item, to which was not there.
Phoned the doctors, spoke to someone in the pharmacy department and they stated only one item was received but it was the item he didn't need. I was stood looking at the computer in as pharmacy at this time. I questioned this and stated that I was looking at the system.The email stated that they had received the email with both items. But still Doctors pharmacy stated that I would have to put in for this medicine again. I told them that it was not possible for the medicine my husband needed to go missing, when they received said they only received the medicine he didn't need, because they were both sent in one email, I also stated, that's somebody there is not being honest and lying about the facts. That they had received one email with two items.
The following day, the head of the pharmacy department at the doctor's practice telephones me and I said the same to her, that there's no way you conceive one email with two items and you can have one go missing, the one that he needs. To that, she gave me a verbal warning.
I phoned 111, they gave me a phone number, to put in a complaint and then I contacted the manager of Southsea Medical and put in a complaint, he said he was going to contact me within 7 days, he didn't, again a few months later, I put in a written complaint. To which was not complied with, then a couple of months ago I received the text message saying it was being looked at, to which I have had no reply.
Because of this, I am now on blood pressure tablets, it's quite simple. If they did their jobs correctly, then people wouldn't be getting upsets and ill.
Today, I have been trying to get an appointment since 17th March. Only for the phone to be put down on twice yesterday. So, I went in today because they put the phone down on me again. This happens alot.
1. The staff need to be listening.
2. Doctors need to be more available.
3. They are still taking more patience.

So, to anyone that has an issue, phone 111, they will give you a number for complaints.

Jonathan S.

Recently had an invite for NHS Health Check as I'm in my 50s. Process went quick and smoothly, blood test results came back relatively quickly via NHS app. Informative and I know what action to take to remain healthy.

Beanpole S.

Horrible. I had the most infuriating 3 weeks of my life trying to book an appointment before eventually giving up. I am not feeling any better, I am fed up and frustrated of trying. If you have ANY other option, do not register to this GP. If you have anything short of a heart attack, you won't be high enough priority. Don't waste your time.

chris F.

My last experience was l had a phone call booked from the GP 2 weeks in advance, l had a conformation in a form of a text. I waited for 2 weeks and on the day, waited all day. I never got a call. I went into the surgery and the told me it was cancelled by the unit. They never bothered to tell me, and now l have to go though all that long pecedure again. Really bad.

Elaine H.

The Lighthouse Group / Southsea Medical are really good and always helpful. The systems work well with online and texts and call backs etc. In my recent appointment, Bianca was professional, calm and explained everything very clearly about my examination and when I could expect the results.
One of my children has also seen Dr Northwood and had a few follow ups. We are very happy with the level of care and attention from the practice. It does seem strange that since Covid the place seems to be empty all the time though…! Must be a new way of keeping people away or having more efficient appointments?