Handsworth Wood Medical Centre

They're okay but you talk to a different GP each time and they have different opinions which isn't helpful. I was having breathing difficulties and they refused to give me an appointment. So I called 111.

They're average, sometimes you can't get an appointment. When you ring your number 27 in the queue and then put through to a different line. You wait a long time and then it cuts off. Sometimes when you get seen, they're alright but some of them are rude and then the GP tells me I'm late.

A nightmare, I can't get appointments and it's different doctors. It's very stressful. I select a call back and they never do or they put the phone down on you.

The pharmacy inside is good. Very well stocked. Well informed chemists.

The telephone appointment system is awful. I call at 8AM on the dot and I'm number 80 in the queue. By the time you get a call back all appointments are gone. You can't walk in for appointments. Also child anxiety concerns are not dealt with promptly. You have to wait months to get support.

The pharmacy attached here is very good. I have used them many times and they're never too busy.

They're good. Never any issues with them. I went a couple of weeks ago for blood tests and I was seen on time. It was easy for me to arrange and they followed up with the results quickly. They called me not long after.

Hospital discharge letter requesting GP to arrange endoscopy. GP told me, "No, you'll have to start from scratch with me". I've been asking for help for 15 years with menopause symptoms. However, after an operation I was prescribed iron tablets by the hospital consultant where dosage is dependent upon menopause status. GP asked if I had gone through the menopause. I said I didn't know because I use Mirena coil with no period for over 25 years. Initially GP refused me a blood test. Then said would call me back when he'd checked whether I should have a blood test. I was then given blood test. However, I still struggle with menopause symptoms for which the GP refuses help.

Prescription Review. This was done by the GP's/Medical Centre Pharmacist. There is a trend in parts of the medical community to remove Prescription pain medications from patients. This was initiated by a group of psychologists who have given many lectures, written papers and podcasts on the matter. Which is basically, 'Mind over Matter'. This is that the body is overreacting to pain or perceived pain. This can be seen by patients, at best ill-conceived and at worst, 'gaslighting' and trivialising the lives of patients living with pain. I nonetheless was prepared for the appointment as this has now become an unacceptable trend with this GP service.
The Pharmacist went through my prescription list (14 medications). The first was a pain medication and the Pharmacist spent some time (5 minutes) talking about the medication. The Pharmacist was patronising and bullying. I was asked several times if I had read the medication leaflet. I finally explained my job role and post graduate qualifications and that I could not only read the leaflet but fully understand it. Pharmacist then quickly went through the other medications until they got to another pain medication. The Pharmacist did the same again. I explained what debilitating conditions they treated and that they were prescribed by an NHS Pain Management Consultant. I would not have been able to go to work or even get out of bed on most days without these medications. We finished the list.
I told the Pharmacist that I was having reactions to a blood thinner and could I be referred to a specialist. The Pharmacist said no. I said that I did ask the receptionist whether the Pharmacist had the GP Practices' authority to refer me to a specialist if necessary to which I was assured of. I did request a GP for the prescription Review because I was having issues with the blood thinners. I informed the Pharmacist that this particular blood thinners (using the Pharmacist's own words regarding the pain medications on my list) Is 'very dangerous'. The Pharmacist then stated they would get a GP to call me. A GP phoned 3 days later and agreed the referral to haematology.

Very busy and difficult to get an appointment. The GPs and nurses are excellent though.