Ashdown Forest Health Centre -

Krysia Smith

I've been using this practice since moving to FR in'81. As a family, first growing now shrinking, we could not ask for more!!
Busy? yes! Very, hence difficulty in sometimes getting appointments. That's called NHS. Not enough, very hard working doctors and too many patients. All of us expect instant consultation, treatment,& solution to all our problems. The reception team can get defensive, but they are at the forefront of stressed patients who want to see someone NOW, They have to take a lot of abuse from some thoughtless patients. I wouldn't want that job.
Not everybody needs to physically see a doctor and they offer a telephone appointment system,which can work brilliantly.
Keep the brick-bats and send some bouquets instead!?

Helen

The most awful surgery you’ve ever encountered. You may as well be dying for all they care. There is literally no point even bothering to call them, as even when they’ve told you to call they don’t care, are incredibly rude and won’t give you an appointment until weeks and weeks in the future.

S. AB

It seems to be impossible to get an appointment. It has been my surgery for 30 years and I cannot get an appointment despite calling at the appropriate time - also, one is not able to pre-book anymore either. What a complete mess this surgery has become.

Alex Pearse

This surgery is such a mixed bag. The clinical staff I've seen or spoken to are fantastic, but thats only if you can get an appointment to see them.
Day appointments are routinely gone and guarded by confrontational staff even if you ring up within a few minutes of opening. Afternoon appointments go very quickly too and the reception staff do not seem to care if you complain about the service; in fact (and many reviewers make this point) they often become defensive or antagonistic which, is infuriating as a patient. The administrative system seems truly awful but the medical care is first class.

Calve Cowdry

Honestly, go elsewhere. The wrong doings of this practice is ridiculous. They "lost" all my personal data and my prescription when signing up to use their services, only telling me 2 months after they confirmed I had been signed up that I would have to sign up again.

Edit: Booking an appointment is awful here. If you're not literally on your deathbed, and even then, talking to a doctor is impossible. They complain that a lot of people are "wasting their time" or "not sick enough to come in" but what are we non-emergency people that need to contact a doctor suppose to do? We patients ask for a non-emergency telephone appointment in advance, they say they don't have any and to call up at 8am. Great... So I'm supposed to take an appointment away from an actual sick people who desperately needs one on the same day? SORT THIS BROKEN SYSTEM OUT... PLEASE.

Edit: 23/12/2024. Had to book a same day appointment today, was told I would be called at 2:20pm by Dr Fletcher, unfortunately no one has even bothered to contact me...

Kat Shaw

So fed up with the complete lack of care with this surgery.
* Receptionists are rude and bark down the phone to you. I was once told that my chronic abdomen pain that had suddenly got unbearable wasn't a medical emergency and that the children that were sick were more important...
* Booking system is horrendous, you have to call at 8:30 on the morning you need an appointment when everyone else is calling and if you get through the appointments finish at lunch time and the afternoon is left unbookable for emergencies.
* Constantly having to wait forever in the waiting room around other sick people as the appointments always run over the time because they only give you 5 minutes for appointment.
* You feel rushed and like they aren't listening to your concerns as they try to fit you in their 5 minutes.
* I have had a couple of nice nurses for blood tests and Dr Cannon, Nannini and Fyfe are good doctors but you seriously need to sort this practice out and get some receptionists with better customer service skills, give appointment times more time and sort out your booking system.

Mike T

An excellent practice with the rare exception of both great medical staff: Doctors and nurses and great support staff: front office / receptionist. Massive thanks to all of them for all the work and support through the past 18 months of my illness. A special thanks to Stacey on reception for her help and prompt action today after Lloyds pharmacy once again failed to be able to fulfil my prescription (and didn't care). Her prompt action, positive attitude and mindset was a great help. Thanks to Mr. Patel the pharmacist for his help. Massive thanks to the secretaries, especially Emily who has been so supportive and proactive helping me through the past 18 months with all the medical challenges. Please keep up the great work all of you are a real asset.

Sharon Yates

We're relatively new to the practice. Myself and my children have been very happy with our experiences with both the Doctors and receptionists.
Feel very well cared.