Linen Court Surgery

It's such a shame I ended up changing the practice all together after almost 7 years with linen court. The amount of pettiness in this practice was astounding. I was accused of taking advantage of free blood tests (seriously), jumping the queue, overusing the phone line, the list goes on. I mean, why would you even say anything like that to someone else at all? I'm quite patient when it comes to GP's, these are equally awful all over the world so I thought I just shouldn't care, but is was getting worse and worse throughout the years. The last nail in the coffin was when I was basically kicked out of the practice back in December last year. One day I woke up with my eye swollen like crazy, I was in tears, panicking as nothing like this happened to me before, so obviously went to GP to ask for some help. The line was busy so I went there in person. The receptionist there looked at me like I was a stinky bag of garbage. She kept her distance and refused to even come over when I asked for help. She was deaf for me begging for her help and to see the doctor, she told me to get out and go to A&E then closed the door in front of my nose. This was one of the most embarrassing moments of my life. I spent 9 hours at A&E (!) that day and the nurses were surprised as to why my GP refused to help as all I needed was a simple eye ointment. At least someone looked after myself and helped with my eye, I wish it was a little quicker than 9 hours though. There is no such thing as respect or treating patients in dignitity, there is no empathy there either. Maybe because my surname isn't local? Well, at this point the less I know the better. It's worth to mention that there was one lovely receptionist working there (I can't remember the name - sorry), she was always so genuine and great. I was always getting check-up appointments booked without any issues. My doctor was really good too, some nurses were amazing too, but unfortunately I couldn't stand being treated like rubbish every time I come into the practice. I changed to another GP in East Belfast and wouldn't go back. Normally I wouldn't bother writing a review, but these guys are awful and should be avoided at all costs. I thought it would be useful so others know what the place is like if they're thinking about registering there.
Jun 9th, 2022

Linen Court have always been really helpful and staff are lovely. Would highly recommend them if you live in the area.
Mar 26th, 2023

Great GPs and some very helpful reception staff
Jan 11th, 2023

They dont answer phones. They operate a very unreasonable system where youve to try to get through on the phone at 8.30 and before 9.30 to speak to the receptionist who feels the need to ask what issue you are having when its none of their business. You have to get through them before you can speak to a doctor. There have been times its been past 8.30 and their automatic voice message has still been on telling me to call the following day after 8.30am. The limited timeframe for calling is not ideal for people who work and you literally need to keep calling 100 times as user is always busy, yet when Ive been in the surgery the women are chit chatting and dont seem rushed off their feet. This current system is not even for a telephone consultation that day, this is to get booked in for a phone call days or a week ahead. Why can patients not call up during the day and book an available appointment. It makes zero sense to me and is inefficient. Then after the telephone call they may end up having to bring you in anyway, it would have wasted less time for both parties if done in the first place. Im sure they are missing and overlooking health concerns by not seeing patients in person and by making determinations on issues via photographs sent over email. They also try to palm you off to pharmacists its as if they are trying to filter people and not wanting to deal with everyone. If over capacity and not able to cope with demand then bring in more people to answer phones. I dont feel the covid excuse carries much weight these days. Overall it is not the family practice it used to be when the burkes ran it, the doctors are good when you get through to them but the receptionists are unfriendly. Ive even been told off for calling about a prescription by one lady when the other woman told me earlier that day to call that afternoon to see if the doctor would represcribe something for me. There also has appeared to be a lack of respect for patient confidentiality in my eyes. I have been in the waiting room and heard the woman on reception say to a man that his review for his antidepressants is coming up. I was shocked as there is still some stigma with metal health and no one would appreciate the whole waiting room knowing. Big service improvements need to be made in linen court surgery.
Sep 3rd, 2022

It's very difficult to book appointment , I called once they opened 8.30 the line is busy . Tried several times the line still busy and finnally at 9.20 could get through but no one answered, kept holding on for more than 7 minutes until I finally gave up and hang up. This happened not only one time.
Aug 23rd, 2021