University of Bristol Student Health Service - Bristol

Chloe J.

I realised how serious the problems with the UK healthcare system and doctors are.
I'm an international student, and back home, I was diagnosed with zoster sine herpete (shingles without rash) through a blood test which is almot 100% accurate.
Since my immune system is terrible, it comes back often(once or twice a year), and I usually take Valaciclovir as soon as I feel symptoms.

I brought Acyclovir to the UK because it’s cheaper, but it’s much less effective for me.
This time, I had severe nerve pain again and went to a GP to ask for Valaciclovir.
The doctor insisted it couldn’t be shingles without a rash. Hey. I was diagnosed the disease named zoster sine herpete (shingles without rash). She has to study more.
Plus, in many cases, rash appears after 72 hours, which makes early diagnosis hard and leads many to suffer long-term nerve damage. Hence, In my home country, doctors immediately prescribe Valaciclovir or Famciclovir if shingles is suspected, because early treatment is crucial and the medication is low-risk.

She treated me like I was lying or exaggerating.
She kept saying it was probably just stress and that Valaciclovir working for me must be a placebo.
But if it were just a placebo, both Acyclovir and Valaciclovir should work the same — and they don’t.
It feels like they refuse to prescribe it simply because it’s expensive, even if the patient is suffering.

She refused to prescribe anything except Amitriptyline(pain killer) and told me to come back a week later only if a rash appeared, or call 111 if the pain got worse over the weekend.
Absolutely irresponsible.

In the end, I had to buy Valaciclovir myself at 2.5 times the normal price online pharmacy.
UK doctors are truly the worst.

Joseph T.

Always been able to accommodate me, very friendly and professional care. Helped me out with some crutches and a specialist referral despite not having an appointment as I was going away shortly after.

Elizabeth D.

After previous negative experiences at multiple GPs, I didn’t have much hope when joining the Student GP in Bristol. However, I have never had a bad experience here. Whenever I call, the receptionists are lovely, kind and friendly. Whenever I have an appointment with a GP, they are always welcoming and kind. I am so happy that I don’t have to experience rudeness and coldness when I visit a doctor anymore. This is the best GP service I’ve been to, hands down. Thank you to all the hard working people behind this!

Shannon C.

Honestly I’ve never had a bad experience with the student health service, even during Covid times.
The call times always go down quite quickly even though you have to queue, and they always ask why you need an appointment and arrange one for the soonest date available or if it’s urgent, a same day appointment and this is always done for me.

Usually they can do phone call appointments which is ideal because then you don’t have to go in, and sometimes it over runs but that’s not their fault!
Every time I have gone in as well, the wait hasn’t been too long over, and the doctors and nurses I’ve seen have been nice. Just as they have, it’s the same with the call appointments - all the doctors and nurses are really lovely (ones I’ve had).

They are way better than my GP back home so I’d recommend! Every time I have an issue they always sort it out:)

ynx

Exceptional help and care throughout my 4 years at the surgery - very accommodating of those with complex medical history - especially Dr Mobbs who has the best bedside manner I have ever encountered from a medical professional.

Most negative reviews are likely people who haven't experienced what the majority of other NHS GPs throughout the country are like.

Nada T.

I had an extremely disappointing experience with the student GP surgery today. The receptionist treated me very rudely and even said, "There is no but," when I tried to explain my situation. As an international student, I wanted to record everything he said to show how he mistreated patients and caused unnecessary trouble.

I live outside the coverage area, and the GPs in my locality are not accepting new patients. As a student at the University of Bristol, I came in person to ask if I could register here. A kind lady at reception initially treated me well and assured me that I could register. I completed the registration and even underwent a test, awaiting the results.

However, today I received an email stating that I had been removed from their patient list. When I called the reception, a different staff member answered and rudely said, "I don't think anyone promised you registration, and there's no but. I don't want to hear your explanation. All I can do is transfer your results, and you need to find another GP."

I am not sure if this is how patients are usually treated, but I feel very uncomfortable and unfairly treated. Is it because I am an Asian international student? This experience has left me feeling humiliated and discriminated against.

riot V.

one of the receptionists is really rude and dismissive, was 2nd in queue at 8:45am and after asking for a same day appointment and saying my symptoms, she was dismissive of my issues and said there were no more appointments today when i was one of the first ones in the queue 🤔 not sure how that works!

Beck I.

The student health service is horrific, the receptionist think they are the doctors and seem to think they can dictate whether you need an appointment or not. You will get bounced around from team to team saying that you need to email only to be told to call like you did in the first place, but then you will have to wait in a queue for an hour only to be told you can't have an appointment, or someone will call you later and they never do. Save your time and register for a different GP because nothing will get done for you under this service. Ridiculous.