Somerset Gardens

Worst of the worst! Someone please shut this place down.
Apr 24th, 2023

Apr 23rd, 2023

You can really die before you get an appointment at this practice. It's so appalling! Zero all the way. I had a terrible experience with Somerset Gardens healthcare, from the receptionists to the doctors and physiotherapists. Unbelievable! After a bad fall a few years ago, I had a loose fragment on my knee that caused me daily pain. (The fragment was visible under the skin and could be moved with a finger.) When I sought help from the GP practice, they referred me to an online physiotherapist, (video calls), who was rude and unhelpful. She refused to consider surgery as an option, insisting that she was the only one who could make that decision. After years of suffering, I finally had to pay 5000 for a private surgery to remove the fragment. (I had to borrow part of the money to be able to go ahead with this surgery... When I am a working individual, paying NHS contributions, and I am entitled to decent health care in this country.) The surgery went well, 2 weeks ago, and the fragment was removed, finally! Recently, I developed phlebitis on my wrist where I had an IV inserted during the surgery. When I tried to book an urgent appointment with my GP and called at 8am as requested, it took me over 40 minutes to get through to the receptionist! I called non stop until 8.40 am when finally their receptionist Carmelita answered the phone. It took another 41 minutes for her to tell me that I could not be seen for my urgent issue, because she lost me in the queue of callers waiting to try to get an appointment, and then refused to book me an appointment because I had the surgery done privately and did not have the relevant paperwork with them. I offered to bring the paperwork to the appointment but it did not change their refusal in offering me an appointment. This issue was unrelated to my knee surgery and could potentially be life-threatening, yet the staff showed no urgency in helping me. The staff is nonchalant, and really lacks the necessary knowledge and empathy to assist patients. Carmelita commented on the fact that I was silly to have spent so much money for fixing my painful knee injury in a private practice. Well, this is why: Somerset Gardens healthcare provides terrible service and customer care. Their lack of professionalism costed me years of pain, 5000 and puts me today in a life threatening position without a care in the world. I would recommend going elsewhere for your healthcare needs.
Apr 21st, 2023

This is literally the worst reception and customer service I have experienced in the UK ever. The receptionist was so rude and didnt give me any opportunity to speak or offer any kind of feedback. There was no reason for her to be that rude as I was being very polite and had just spoken to the doctor about my appointment. This is a very sensitive position to give to an insensitive person. People are calling looking for empathy, nobody wants to be in a position like this. This was so awful and highly inappropriate. I hope this particular lady is looked into because she sounded like this was her regular character. If I could give this less that 1 star I definitely would. Find a better GP guys. Do better!
Apr 17th, 2023

Every single month without fail, I put in a repeat prescription via Phillips Chemist who then email Somerset Gardens with the request. Every single month, without fail the surgery either don't send it to the chemist or they send it to their in-house chemist or they send the wrong medication. I have to call each time, spend at least an hour arguing with the prescription service (if you can call it a service) who either are really apologetic and tell me they'll put it through as an emergency to the chemist, or that they haven't received the request or that the medication isn't on repeat or that I've had the medication yet then still send it or they're incredibly rude.. It's March, put the request in on the 25th March, the surgery acknowledged it on the 28th March yet lo and behold, its not at the chemist. The chemist have given me a print out of the request they submitted. I called the surgery again (on hold for 40 minutes as per usual) to be told they haven't received the request, yet I have it in my possession. They have told me after 30 minutes of going backwards and forwards that they'll call me back. The incompetency is shocking. I won't even start on the attitudes of the receptionists. Update: got a call back, told the medication would be in the chemist...its not. The chemist said to try again tomorrow. I'm now out of chemo medication. Avoid this GP surgery. You've been warned! Update: April 2023, I've changed the review as there has been a huge shift in attitude from front of desk to some excellent GP's. Just had my blood taken by Sameera, usually it takes 5 attempts or more due to collapsed veins, she got it in 1! Lovely person, very friendly and professional!
Apr 14th, 2023