Marston Forest Health Care - Bedford

David McCarthy

Called the surgery in the morning for an appointment due to knee sprain. Receptionist was very polite and helpful. With 10 minutes of the call I received a same day appointment. It was within the hour so could not make in time as I was at work. Spoke to receptionist and she kindly changed the appointment until the afternoon. I saw Dr Gayathry Thayyil Vijayaraghavan and she was very attentive to my issue and very helpful. Don’t feel rushed, felt she really wanted to help. Prescribed me some medication and also with the hour I received an appointment to see the physio. Can’t thank the surgery enough. First time I have contacted any practice in about 10-15yrs so wasn’t sure what to expect.

Jojo2013 Johanna

I have been with this surgery for over a year. Have had increased constant bleeding for 2 months due to fibroids. Last week I requested more medication due to the last presciption running out. They ignored my request. Was told to do another online booking to specify discussing more tablets.
This is so exhausting to do whilst dealing with fatigue due to blood loss.
I have had fibroids for 4 years and 2 more have grown over 7 months and they have not refered me to a gynacologist for over a year. Eventually they did and bedford hospital gave me october 2025 for an appointment. The medication to stop the bleeding is no longer working and I am afraid I will bleed to death. If I do, I blame Marston forest health care doctors.

Alistair Green

Hospital wrote to surgery saying I need an urgent appointment. 19 days later, surgery texts me asking me to make an appointment. In common with serveral other reviews here - getting such appointment is impossible.

If it were possible - this would have zero stars

Alex Dovey

I moved to the area last year. Wow, I wish I knew about this surgery before I moved here. Incoherent reception on the phone, no ability to book future appointments both online or on phone. Never able to make an appointment in the morning because the phone lines are always busy. I have had zero access to health care since being registered, in which time I have been rushed to hospital twice owing to issues I could of had treated when they were less severe.

donna m

Honestly do not bother registering with this surgery. You will never get an appointment. The online booking service is completely redundant as they don't have anything available for the 3 months they have in the calendar. If you call to book, the reception team literally could not care less about you or even about maintaining some semblance of veiled annoyance or contempt that you would dare to bother them. On ocassion they have been downright rude and dismissive. Not to mention the incompetence and lack of urgency when trying to get my prescribed medication which I had to go without for a few days and which only was sorted after numerous phone calls and having to go down to the surgery and demand help. The poorest service I have ever received.

Mike Wright

Record keeping here has concerned me several times before deciding to leave this review.
I asked the receptionist to update my medication after review from the consultant so I can easily order a repeat prescription. The consultant says this can only be done by the GP.
I was told the last letter on record was in January. I have 2 copies of letters in Feb with medication updates addressed to the Dr at the surgery and copied to me.
I returned 20 mins later with the letters, one written 5 weeks ago, the other 3 weeks ago.
The receptionist tried to persuade me the GP surgery had not received the letters yet.
I pointed out that I should not have to provide copies of letters sent to the Dr at the surgery. Astonishingly, she continued to insist the surgery had not received the letters ie the GP has no idea about my medication review and I receive letters addressed to him before he does. Her manner was dismissive and non-apologetic.
She was also unable to book a blood test before my next appointment with the consultant.

Lauren Tighe

Called up at 8:30am on the dot, was on hold for half an hour. Finally got through to be told that I can’t book an appointment over the phone because they’ve implemented a new online booking system and that they no longer book appointments over the phone. Not even “there are no appointments today”. Receptionist kindly offered to book me an appointment whilst on the phone. When I told them that there were certain times that I couldn’t do they said it’s better that I just book it myself online tomorrow at 7:45! ? Had to set up an account over the phone with them for this new “improved” system only to log in and not see any options or clear navigation to where on the site I can book an appointment (bear in mind I work in a bloody digital department, so I’m not exactly a novice). There is no clear “book an appointment” button unless this disappears when there isn’t any available, in which case I can only assume that sighting one would be like spotting the lock ness monster. I don’t blame the staff, but whoever thought that rescinding the option to book over the phone was a good idea is either a fool or deliberately obstructing peoples access to healthcare! The UX of the sight basically takes you round in circles through a triage of questions which leads me to believe that by the time you fill out all the forms and finally get taken to the booking page all appointments will have likely gone.
Looks like the shape of things to come as we are all slowly forced to find alternative options like private healthcare (if we are lucky enough to afford it)

Paul Standbrook

Recent experience of the surgery has shown such huge improvement that 5 stars feels justified.
Responsive at first contact, thorough examination and effective diagnosis from very professional and approachable medical staff.
Can't think what more I could ask.
Thankyou