Churchwood Medical Practice - Saint Leonards-on-sea

Marc D. H. C.

It's not this team in particular, it's the whole group that this is part of. It's impossible to get through at 8am, they just turn the phone off. It constantly says they're not available at all, and hangs up your call. After about 10.30am, they divert to another number and give you information only.

I've been trying to get an appointment for a few weeks, and when I did eventually get through, they just 'triage' remotely, which means someone behind the scenes judges what wrong with you, from the information a receptionist gives them.

It doesn't matter if you agree or not, you're given what they guess it might be.

If you come back, they get you to fill out forms online. I couldn't even get to see a doctor, in the few months I was with them. They seem to like prescribing nasal sprays for chest infections from my experience. I'm not convinced they have any/enough doctors, the way they act.

I ended up moving surgery it was that ridiculous.

I've never known anything like these guys. Going in there, they've a bad culture on the front line at reception. It seems it's all about putting off patients from trying to see anyone, and building registrations up. I wonder if they get paid per registration, and not for seeing people?

tara S.

I have been with this surgery for many years. It used to be hard to get an appointment throughout and after Covid. However, since then, the surgery ( in my opinion ) has been running better than it has been in a long time. Yes, trying to call can mean you're in a queue for quite a while, due to high demand.
However, when Online engage was introduced, getting advice, prescriptions or an appointment .....( usually appointments are very quick too if needed ).... the whole process has been made so much easier. All the staff are friendly and helpful, and all the medical staff have been amazing wether it was for myself, or my children. Also a very clean surgery.

Eve-Marie L.

My partner (and I) had a game change appointment with Specialist Diabetic Nurse Nicky today. What an INCREDIBLE resource. With her expert knowledge, perfect sign posting and taking my partner where he personally is realistically at, we both feel equipped to take his diabetes to a whole new level of better health. We are deeply grateful, thank you.

Naomi M.

New to the area and extremely happy with choosing this practice. The GP who did my phone appointment was fantastic. Didn't feel hurried, felt listened too. And tests were booked going forward.
The HCA who did the tests is also lovely - professional but friendly and really puts you at ease.
Couldn't be happier!

Diane I.

Thank you to Church wood surgery was easier to make an appointment today than the old system.

patric F.

Imposible to speak to someone due to queue. No email contact available .
Staff can be rude and abrupt when you do. Don't care about people over 79.

Lia-kerry T.

I used the service today after feeling like I had UTI, I’m relatively new patient to this surgery, I was asked to bring a sample, was only around 45 minutes from the sample that the nurse tested this and the doctor prescribed antibiotics! Fantastic quick service & kind reception staff considering how tough it is in the NHS currently.

Frank 6. F.

Had to go to walk-in centre multiple times for the simplest to more severe issues. After 2 weeks for calling the practice everyday at 8AM for over 30 minutes and calling up several times during the day, I had to go to the walk-in centre for a freaking earache.

I have been waiting almost 4 months to be seen about one issues and since then I have had other problems come and go but have been unable to get any appointment other than one for a medication review. They have only every answered the phone one other time to tell me that for a couple weeks there will be no doctors on staff at all.

The actual staff and building are nice and I feel comfortable there, but none of this really matters if I cannot get an appointment to go there. The doctors don't ask enough question and for a long time I was suffering severe side-effects from medication that I was told had no issues. They didn't even bother checking. I found out through a family member on the same medication. The receptionists and nurses etc are nice and I am sure they do their best, but the doctors don't seem to know what they are doing and getting seen is near impossible. I read the other reviews and noticed someone saying they always get seen. That made me laugh...

Arranging for an appointment is a nightmare. If you call during the day they just say to callback in the morning. Then you call back the next morning and end up waiting for over an hour if get get through at all. If you are lucky enough to get through, they tell you there are no appointments. That's probably because they make you wait two damned hours!

This medical practice is a complete joke... I advice going anywhere else for your GP. I have been to the walk-in centre a good few times and I am honestly so fed up that I am reporting this and looking to change my doctors. I do not care if they are rude, if it gets me an appointment then that is fine.