
I would like to begin by acknowledging the excellent care I received from the doctors during my first visit. Both clinicians went above and beyond, and I felt genuinely supported by them. Unfortunately, this high standard was not reflected in my interactions with the reception and administrative staff.
After my consultation, the doctor provided me with a ticket for my next appointment and advised that, in the meantime, I should attend the imaging department for an ultrasound. When I arrived at imaging, the staff were dismissive and informed me that, because I was an NHS patient, they would need to write to my GP for a separate referral. I explained that the doctor had instructed me to have the ultrasound the same day. The staff member responded that if I waited in reception, she would speak to the doctor, adding that “quite often they don’t know how things are done.”
I waited for an hour with no update. When I approached the desk to ask for news, the staff member replied, “I’m sorry, I forgot all about you,” and said she would speak to the doctor immediately. After she finally did so, the situation changed dramatically: I was suddenly offered an ultrasound appointment for 11:30 a.m. that same day — just an hour and a half later. It was clear that once the doctor became aware of the issue, the department acted quickly and efficiently, which I appreciated, especially as I live only ten minutes away.
The ultrasound itself was carried out professionally, and the doctor performing it was excellent. He explained everything clearly and asked when my next appointment was. When I told him it was scheduled for six weeks later, he advised me to return to the main reception and request an earlier appointment, as his report would be completed that same day.
However, when I approached reception, I was dismissed outright and told, “Doctors make appointments six weeks in advance — it is what it is.” Additionally, there was no record of my attendance on their system, only an appointment dated 23 March 2026, which, by their own admission, belonged to a different patient entirely.
On reflection, while staff may appear polite on the surface, the reality of my experience was the opposite. The inconsistency, dismissiveness, and lack of coordination created unnecessary stress and undermined the otherwise excellent clinical care I received.
Seen for:
Arthritis (Hand)