S.L.Hirst

I've been a patient at West4Gps for almost a decade now and as someone with several health conditions, some of which that are not your "everyday" kind of thing, I can honestly say that I'm so happy to be with this practise. The Drs are great, especially Dr Chisholm and Dr Holderness. They give you time and they listen to you. Very friendly, very professional and very understanding. Yes, like someone else stated, the wait times are sometimes longer than you'd like, but to add to the review below about that being more about the NHS being over worked than the practise, which is true, it's also sometimes down to other patients not attending their booked appointments. Costing the NHS and practise, time and money.

The two stars I didn't give, are for things like the online system (covered in other reviews) and general difficulty in seeing or even speaking to a Dr at the moment, which I'm sure is still down to covid but is none the less, an issue. Reception for me is a difficult one. Seems to depend on who you get.

Their digital presence is very poor. The site is structured to deflect the patient from making an appointment at every opportunity. Click the appointments tab and you can either call or use their 'web form'. The web form will not get you an appointment, it simply offers you advice on your condition, or suggests 111 or A&E. They have a website, an online patient portal and an app, all with completely different names and urls. The medical staff are great, but their online service aspect is not fit for purpose.

I wish I could give 0 star to this surgery, the doctor I spoke to last time was amazing but the receptionist is inconsiderate and rude. I am trying to book a telephone appointment since a week now and everyday I am told to ring next day but when I ring in the morning the receptionist tells me they are fully booked without even checking the diary, and online system for booking appointments doesn't even work.

No advice on the Web site about the flu vaccination programme or availability. No one answered the phone after a 30 minute wait despite being told "you are next in the queue" Not able to access blood test results after 16 attemptstest

I've been a patient at W4GPs for nearly 15 years. Through Swine Flu and hernias through to high blood pressure and the current pandemic, their work ethic and professionalism under what must be the most horrific stress is a testament to how much the whole team care for their patients. Sometimes the waiting time for an appointment can be longer than ideal, but that is a reflection on the NHS being overwhelmed rather than W4GPs themselves. Having said that, emergency appointments are normally very swift.

The reception staff have always been kind and understanding. I think as patients, we need to exercise more patience when attending our GPs, of course, this is difficult as we normally only want to attend when we are unwell, which is also my point. Our GPs and their colleagues are exactly who we turn to when we need help. Let's remember that, and be more thankful for the great work they do to help us get back to normal health.

It's one of those things - where I would like to give 5 stars to the doctors and nurses and 1 star to the booking/ telephone system. Doctors at this particular clinic are fantastic. They are thorough, always mega helpful, correct on diagnosis. In fact, they are the best doctors I have come across in the UK in 20 years I've been here. So 5 stars is very well deserving. However.

The booking system is horrendous. Not only you are unable to get through (easier to walk in and wait in the queue to speak to reception rather than phone in), but you are most likely to be told to call at 8am in the morning (which is totally futile). So to improve the clinic they definitely need another GP (so they can have more time slots available) + another receptionist (current numbers are insufficient).

Stay away from this place. The reception staff is absolutely horrendous - they don't know what they're doing, very quick on wasting people's time and can't even get an address right. Stay away at all costs. The doctors are alright but getting through to them is a myth.

When searching for a new, local GP practice a couple of years ago I read some of the reviews, was respectively a little hesitant about West4Gps, but have had nothing but positive experiences since joining. The doctors are lovely, caring and have been very quick for specialist referrals or necessary tests (within a couple of weeks - which is lucky during Covid).

As a young female I've never received anything but open arms by the doctors - no judgement or coldness towards helping, which has made the last couple of years a lot easier than it could've been and is greatly appreciated. You may have to wait a while on the phone, 10-15 minutes - however if you don't have this time, which often I personally don't, I simply use the e-consult form online and receive a call from a doctor within a few days after it had been submitted.

This is of course just my personal experience, but one I thought important to share as it was deserving. The receptionists are wonderful, albeit busy - which is understandable, especially with the current circumstances. In person I've seen them go out of their way when assisting patients; explaining or offering suggestions etc.

As a type one diabetic I rely on my GP to provide critical medication. It took them two years to get my prescription correct. It regularly missed items and was sent to the wrong pharmacy several times (after asking for it to be removed). To top it all off, it's rare that you can actually get an appointment to see a doctor as they are always booked up a month in advance and they don't offer any other dates further in the future. I've had nothing but problems!

This practice is exceptional. On every occasion I have had exceptional care from every doctor I've encountered. They have always been able to provide a same day appointment when needed. Consultations have always been thorough and never felt rushed despite the enormous workload pressure the team are under.