Bowburn Surgery - Durham

Amber Clarey

After being poorly treat at my home town doctors surgery I decided to take the plunge and register at a town over from me and WOW! So pleased I did. All the staff are welcoming and more than happy to do what they can to help you out. I’ve never had a problem getting a face to face appointment. And never been left feeling stupid for my health worries unlike at my previous surgery. Highly recommend Bowburn surgery to anybody who feels poorly treated at there current surgery.

Julie Carpenter

I rang on Tuesday this week for my 87 year old disabled friend to have her dressing changed as she’d had an op on Monday for a broken thumb & the bandage was very bloody. There were no nurses who could do it this week & the nurse due to do her bloods on the Wednesday doesn’t change dressings! I have no medical training but I cleaned the wound and changed the dressing & washed & dried the dirty outside bandage. If I hadn’t done this no doubt the wound would be infected by now! An appointment was made for Belmont on Friday to change it again, however when I drove her there the appointment was cancelled due to the nurse being on the sick! Bowburn Surgery claim to have rang my friend at 8.30am to let her know but there was no record of this on her phone & no message was left on her answer machine. They arranged for a DN to come out but she didn’t change the dressing as my friend mentioned she had an appointment today to change it. What an absolute joke. The elderly vulnerable are not cared for at all!

Lauren Wiles

I managed to get an appointment on the same day as calling for a chest infection. Dr Hodgson examined me. She was really good at listening and was very measured in her approach to providing a diagnosis. I felt like I was in very good hands. My only criticism of this surgery is that appointments never run on time, but this is understandable on days when there are unexpected emergencies and complicated medical cases.

Harri Sykes

After moving to the local area two years ago I hesitated for a long time to sign up for this particular surgery because of the reviews - but I have to say I've been incredibly pleasantly surprised

Save for one appointment with a male doctor, every other person I've interacted with at this surgery has been friendly, kind and caring.

My partner and I have visited fairly frequently this last year and the regular nurses we see are so so lovely, they ask how we're doing and make friendly conversations and I genuinely look forward to seeing certain nurses when I have appointments (as much as a person can look forward to seeing a doctor that is!)

Recently I've had a string of appointments for an ongoing issue, the first male doctor I saw didn't take my issues seriously but I'm glad I asked for tests because everyone I've seen since has been absolutely wonderful! My partner also had some issues with several other male doctors (must be a pattern) but I believe they're not at the surgery any more.

I feel genuinely cared for by the lovely female staff at this surgery, I'm listened to and luckily I've ended up with the help I needed!

Simon Field

I attended this surgery approximately 2 years ago about a lump on my left foot that was getting larger and Smaller am still astounded at the answer I received from the Doctor. First off I could hardly understand him, I explained and showed him the issue he said probably nothing maybe wear a bigger shoe. To say I was shocked would be an understatement, after some wrangling eventually got a federal for an X Ray for or as he pronounced it an SJ, to be diagnosed with Arthritis. I keep dealing with this surgery as local but it is a complete lottery to the point I try and avoid until absolutely necessary. As a note the majority of the reception staff are ignorant and one practice nurse is positively rude and abusive

john w

Couldn't add zero. Phone service atrocious! 3 times rang back per request and was 1st on list (the only person waiting) each time gave up after 10 minutes. Also used the callback system! Useless as no call back received. The lack of competence! They can't even use a 'get out' by saying busy time as calls were spread out at different times and was 1st in queue.

Fiona Cuthbertson

The service is getting worse. Waited for weeks just to get a call after only being told morning or afternoon not even a time slot! Then I missed the call and tried to immediately call back and waited in the queue for 20 minutes only to be told that I'd missed the second call and therefore had to rebook a call which would be another 2 weeks wait. I missed the second call because I was in their queue! No patient care and no customer service at all and I can see why the practice has such poor reviews.

kathryn grayson

There aren't enough words to describe how dreadful this practice is. Reception staff are often rude, unhelpful and obstructive, and whether or not your medical needs are properly met very much depends on the medical professional you speak to. One member of staff does not listen, she constantly interrupts and talks over you. Asking for a particular member of staff is hopeless. Prescription requests are often not actioned within 48 hours, and when they are, items are often missing. Fortunately, there are medical staff there who are absolutely great. They listen and they help. Without those few staff being there I would have changed to another practice years ago.