Ash Vale Health Centre

Called right at 8am and waited about 17 mins in the queue. Receptionist was really helpful and lovely to speak with!

I can imagine with the current state of the NHS they must deal with a lot of angry public and obviously have no way of magically making more appointments appear out of thin air when they're fully booked, something a lot of people don't seem to understand. I've been with this place since about August 2022 and this is the 2nd appointment I've needed to book, personally I've never had any issues. I've also not had any issues with rude receptionists, not that I'd blame them with the amount of abuse they probably have to take from people...🙄

Lovely doctors, receptionists and nurses. I echo the sentiments about Natalie in the pharmacy. She is so efficient, she should be running the country!
Nurses have gone above and beyond so many times for my children, and the doctors are thorough and kind.
Waiting times when you call can be long but I use the call back feature or e-consult which is very efficient.
Thank you for all you are doing, in difficult times for the NHS.

This is a fantastic surgery but they are very, very busy. I have a chronic condition which requires a fair amount of attention and can never fault them, from the receptionists to the Dispensary to the nurses and doctors themselves. I can't always speak clearly on the phone but, even if they are rushed off their feet, the receptionists never show any impatience or try to fob me off

Like any surgery, calling can be hit-and-miss but, outside the very busy times (explanations to follow) just hang on. You WILL be answered and you won't be fobbed off. If they had the standard abrasive, rude "gatekeeper" receptionists you'd get a quicker answer, but the exchange for the wait is their care and attention.

The busiest time is from 8am, when day's appointments are released. You will have to ring and ring from 8 on the dot; it can take several tries to get into the queue. But these are emergency appointments - again, the trade-off is that, ring early enough and try hard enough and you will see a doctor that day. Other busy times are lunchtime and around 4.30 due to their prescription timings, so if you don't want to be hanging on too long, try outside these times.

I've been with this practice for twenty years and cannot count the times they've bent over backwards for me. If you are sick, they will find you an appointment. If you need an emergency prescription, they'll pull out all the stops. If you pass out in the waiting room (ahem) you'll be picked up and looked after. They run a twelve-hour day, they come out in special circumstances, they will ring you if needed. Yes, it can be a trial to get through sometimes, but the service is exemplary.

Consistently good through the years - the doctors always listen, are well-informed and do their utmost to act in the best interests of the patient.

Echo the others - the phone wait times can be long, and trying to get through for an emergency appointment at 8am is almost impossible (some kind of online booking system might help here?), but they are incredibly busy and do a great job when you are seen.

I have had to phone the surgery first thing on two occasions recently in respect of my mother. On both occasions, the Receptionist was extremely helpful and arranged for a GP to contact my mother, and the GP arranged for a paramedic to attend to my mother later the same day. Thank you!

I phoned the practice today, hoping to get an appointment whenever possible. I was greeted by a very pleasant receptionist who founds a slot for me today!!! Very please. I know how crazy busy they are and I appreciate their efforts very much. I want to congratulate our NHS staff, they are our heroes.

Not quite perfect, but they're trying their best.

Appointments can be booked online. That's a better option than joining the long phone queue and awaiting a (kettle never boils) callback from a duty doctor. If you don't need to speak with a doctor same day, look top right on the webpage and click on "Patient Access".

If it's more urgent, use the 111 telephone service or, in an emergency, dial 999.

We need to remember it is a Health Centre, and NOT an Emergency Service. Routine, long-term health. Dialing 111 will get you through to someone who is medically trained and, if the matter is diagnosed as urgent, they can put you through to the right people; even ordering an ambulance if required.

If you're unhappy about this situation, then our Member of Parliament, Michael Gove, is the representative of the government who got us into a situation where there are not enough doctors to meet our needs. It's a problem that will only get resolved if we complain to our MP. Ash Vale Health Centre is doing its best, but can't increase its funding to hire more doctors.

I was scared to change practice when I moved to a different area but I didn't need to be. This is a great practice, staff are wonderful and GP took time from her day to call and check to see if I needed extra time. Really do feel cared for. Happy patient.

Under the circumstances - wonderful.
The receptionist staff could not have been more helpful, and always very happy.
Yes, it did take a long time for the phone to be answered, but it was always answered.
Thank you to everyone!

Always loved this doctors, the reception staff are always friendly and really helpful! The doctors themselves are great! 5*

Have used Surrey Physo here and am really impressed, more knowledgeable than I could ever have imagined, have finally found a solution to my back pain after several years.

The new system is excellent; spoke to a doctor, prescription sent to the pharmacy, and collected all within the hour. Brilliant.

Caroline on reception was first class and so was the lady pharmacist when I contacted them today - thank you both.

Fantastic service and never have a problem getting an appointment. They're great.

Always very helpful reception staff and lovely doctors.

Best ever and so friendly ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐