Birchwood Medical Centre

I’ve mulled over writing this review for quite some time. This surgery is appalling. I have been a member of this practice since early childhood and feel that I have never been given the respect I deserve. From being told off by a gp for “making up” the ailment that put me in hospital for a week later that very same evening, to being told by a practice nurse that my other condition was caused by my current circumstances; (this condition continued for years after, at which time an actual professional confirmed it would be impossible for my circumstances to cause it). Any of my medical complaints are not taken seriously and are not followed up at all. I rang to get test results and was told I had to request them online. A friend disagreed that this was the case and rang them to prove a point. They were given their results over the phone, the receptionist actually retrieved a gp for them! I waited 48 hours for mine. Mind you, the receptionist is friends with my friend, which is evident by the change in her tone when their name is provided. I’ve twice witnessed so called caring professionals give verbal permission to verbally abuse their spouse (“she’ll have to get used to it” was the message given to someone who’d had that she was a stupid c**t screamed at her! The same person was told that he was not to “let that baby ruin your life” by his gp. Way to emotionally support a heavily pregnant woman eh). Neighbours have suffered also, one was driven to attempted suicide by the actions of a nurse and another only found out that they had spina bifida once they had registered at another gp surgery; they were a fully grown adult at the time and the surgery must have forgotten to mention it. I had a growth and was told that I would not be able to have an appointment for three weeks, but, in the meantime, if it grew or started to leak I was to go straight to A&E! This was pre-COVID by a long shot. I actually never bother with this surgery anymore, it’s not worth the effort. However, I did visit an out of hours gp and had a major panic attack in the waiting room as I was actually scared that I did not look ill enough for an appointment. So they have definitely given me a lasting impression. I am a very quiet and shy person by nature and would never dream of causing a scene or anything of that matter, I strongly suggest that any patient or prospective one is a lot more forceful than I am. Alternatively, make sure you’ve got friends in high places, such as reception, and they’ll roll out the red carpet for you. One thing in their favour is Dr. Anthony who, from what I’ve heard, is an amazing doctor.

If you can get past the awful receptionist then you will have the pleasure of being treated as nothing but a number, there is no personal service here, I think they are to big to care about their patients, its just a business. The service I receive from them is comical at best. From being very unhelpful, to getting prescriptions wrong constantly. I dread having to deal with them now. Im going to try and find another GP where I will be treated like a person
Original Comment Report...

After moving into this area I went to resister with this practice as my partner and his family are patients here. I picked the forms up one morning on the way into work and while filling out the paperwork noticed it said return forms Tues - Fri 10 am to 12 noon. I called to check something regarding ID and mentioned the registration times, i was told "drop off is only between those times". Now, like most people, I work so during these times I am sat at my desk and not able to drop off paperwork to the Dr's due to the distance. I asked why this was, was there someone in particular i need to give the paperwork to? "No just the girls on the reception" i was told. When i asked why i couldn't drop it off earlier in that case, the reply i got was "that's what were told to say, they are the drop off times" there appears to be no real reason or explanation around why this is apart from it being wholly inconvenient. I am now going to have to look for another practice to sign up with further away from my house, however from reading the reviews on here i'm not sure that's a bad thing.
Original Comment Report...