Blandford Medical Centre
Mace Avenue, Braintree, Essex, CM7 2AEContact details and opening times
Patient ratings and reviews
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Reviews
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Review titled Good practice
Rated 5 stars out of 5
by Robert Winter - Posted on 13 July 2023
I have been with this surgery for a number of years and it has suffered like all others with getting appointments. Now has a new system called Patchs which seems to work exceptionally well. Most people will get a same day appointment, all arranged on the internet, so you don't have to hang on the phone for ages. Much improved.
Visited July 2023
Review titled Blandford Medical Centre
Replied on 14 July 2023
Dear Mr Winter, Thank you for your lovely review. I am glad your experience with PATCHS has been positive. I really think it has transformed access to appointments and since introduction a couple of months ago we have not had to ask anyone to call back as we are out of appointments. We are triaging 900 PATCHS request per week, its a huge undertaking and a lot of work for the clinicians and support staff but we are trying to improve services and make getting through on the phones easier for those that have no other option available to them. Thank you so much for supporting the service and I hope we can continue to make your experiences positive. Kind regards Caroline Jones Practice Manager
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Review titled Poor show
Rated 2 stars out of 5
by Mrs Harvey - Posted on 15 July 2023
Telephone appointment with a doctor who mistook endocrinology for endoscopy and insisted that I had had an endoscopy. I think I might have remembered if I had. Couldn't understand what he was saying but before I had the opportunity to ask him to repeat it, he promptly hung up.
Visited July 2023
Review titled Blandford Medical Centre
Replied on 18 July 2023
Dear Mrs Harvey, Thank you for your review and comments about the practice. I have listened to the call and I feel I should clarify some points you have raised. The GP initially mentioned endoscopy as this is what he was advised the call was regarding on the booking notes, a simple miscommunication that was rectified within 5 seconds. The call continued and your treatment plan was discussed in full, and the GP took the time to repeat and give you clarification when you asked for it. The call ended following him explaining the process to you a second time at your request and the call was ended in a friendly and courteous manner. Kind regards Caroline Jones Practice Manager
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Review titled This is still a cracking practice
Rated 5 stars out of 5
by Gregory Cox - Posted on 24 July 2023
As my previous review blandford is still a lovely practice, but what upset me this morning, as I am still going through the wringer to do with what has happened in my life and recently, so all I wanted to do was ask one of the kind receptionists about a support plan that was supposedly being setup by 2 provide district nurses, who were also going to contact blandford on the 17th of July, as they were the same 2 provide nurses who visited me in my home on Sunday 16th of July, discussing with me about this support plan, but when I called blandford this morning the 24th of July about this, the receptionist knew nothing about the support plan and also not quite as kind at the other ladies, as this has upset me greatly, I only wish to know what is going on, as my life has changed drastically and so has my mental health, I felt as if I was treated just like a number, in all my years in work as a skilled metal worker, then looking after my beloved mother, i have never been spoken to like it before, as this happened last week as well by a doctor who gave me short shrift, oh dear, so it seems that their isn't a plan after all, but what I can add is that I received a visit on the 20th of July by a mental health nurse and a colleague of his which I didn't know about, who were also talking to me about a support plan, but this was about a separate support plan. All this is confusing me a heck of a lot, but I still say that blandford is an excellent medical centre.
Visited July 2023
Review titled Blandford Medical Centre
Replied on 25 July 2023
Dear Mr Cox, Thank you for your review. The issues and support plan you mention are secondary care and the reception team have no access to the care plan that is in place, the access they have is limited to their requirements at the practice. The reception team are doing their best to support your needs but they are not clinicians and cannot give you the support you expect of them. They can offer you appointment support or can signpost you to the department that can best assist you. Kind regards Caroline Jones Practice Manager
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Review titled Cracking medical centre
Rated 5 stars out of 5
by Gregory Cox - Posted on 07 July 2023
I joined blandford on Friday the 30th of June 2023 and just one week forward, friday the 7th of july 2023, the kindness and care the wonderful staff have given to me is very much appreciated, as I'm suffering from mental health issues resulting from the loss of loved ones and a couple of annoying physical issues from a heart attack, so I just wanted to say, a humongous thank you to all the staff at blandford and also for your patience and understanding with me as well, and not forgetting the efficiency and speed in getting me registered at your lovely medical centre, once again a massive thank you to you all.
Visited June 2023
Review titled Blandford Medical Centre
Replied on 10 July 2023
Dear Mr Cox, Thank you for taking the time to review the practice and thank you so much for your kind and thoughtful words. I am thrilled that you are impressed with your practice experience so far and I hope we can continue to support you when needed. Kind regards Caroline Jones Practice Manager
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Review titled Consistently great service from all staff
Rated 5 stars out of 5
by Anonymous - Posted on 28 June 2023
My husband and I would like to thank all staff at Blandford for the consistently excellent and supportive service including reception staff, telephone staff, nurses and the in-house pharmacy. We've had a few urgent problems and difficulties and each and every time we have been helped, staff took time to listen and try to find a solutions and generally each interaction has been helpful and supportive and we don't take this for granted, so a big big thank you
Visited June 2023
Review titled Blandford Medical Centre
Replied on 05 July 2023
Dear Patient, Thank you for taking the time to review the practice. We are extremely grateful for your kind words. I will of course ensure that the staff are made aware of your kind comments. Kind regards Caroline Jones Practice Manager
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Review titled Great service
Rated 5 stars out of 5
by Fezile lambert - Posted on 08 June 2023
Today I filled out the new Patches System Blandford medical centre. I left a message about my problem and the Dr called me back a few hours later. The Dr was very understanding of my illness and situation. I would deffinatly recommend Blandford Medical Center. The Dr treated me with understanding an d mutual Respect
Visited April 2023
Review titled Blandford Medical Centre
Replied on 12 June 2023
Dear Mrs Lambert, Thank you so much for taking the time to review your PATCHS experience. We are really pleased with how the service has taken off and in the last two weeks, no one that has called the practice has been turned away. I am really hopeful that this will transform patient experience and access to appointments. Thank you again for you thoughts, I will ensure that the clinician that cared for you is informed of your kind words. Kind regards Caroline Jones Practice Manager
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Review titled Appointments
Rated 2 stars out of 5
by Sue - Posted on 03 March 2023
I have been trying for 2weeks for an appointment. Telephoning at 8 am and hear the message it's full. When I do query it, I'm told its a busy surgery. Not happy.
Visited March 2023
Review titled Blandford Medical Centre
Replied on 07 March 2023
Dear Sue, I am sorry you have been unable to obtain an appointment. If the appointments are all taken for the day you would have been advised to call 111 for assistance. Some patients have the misconception that this is pushing work to the hospital. This is not the case. 111 are there to support patients when the GP service has been unable to accommodate you with an appointment, they will triage your medical need and if necessary can book directly into our appointments system. As you have access to email you could use our excellent online service called PATCHS, details of which can be found on our website. You don't need to call the practice at all. Simply answer a few short questions and we will contact you to book an appointment. If those that are able to use online services do so this will free up the phones for the elderly and those patients that are unable to use online services. You can also use the NHS App to book appointments. Either of these services could have provided you with a booked appointment. If you wish to obtain some more information about these services please call the practice and select the administration department who will be happy to assist you. Kind regards Caroline Jones Practice Manager
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Review titled Shocked by Doctors attitude
by CatLady29 - Posted on 09 March 2023
After never being able to get an appointment when I phoned, I used the patchs app to report symptoms of ongoing autoimmune issues. Was called back a few hours later, where the Doctor I spoke to had no interest in the amount of pain I was currently in, and was asking personal questions about my sex life. Then I was told that I was probably menopausal, mentally ill, and the pain due to my autoimmune disease was all in my head. I couldn't believe what I had just heard, and was literally speechless. I spent the rest of the day in tears, traumatised after that experience, and will be transferring to another GP practice as soon as possible (if I can find another one that is actually taking on new patients in the area)
Visited March 2023
Provided by Care opinion
Review titled Blandford Medical Centre
Replied on 14 March 2023
Dear Patient, Thank you for using the PATCHS app to book your appointment. As you have discovered this is an extremely efficient way to obtain a GP appointment. Please be advised that all GPs at the practice used recognised and approved medical templates for their consultations. These templates advise which questions are relevant to the symptoms and conditions you identify to them, they would not ask personal questions unless necessary to assist your diagnosis. I would be happy to listen to the call you had with the GP if you wanted to call or email the practice about this however if you feel no alternative that to register elsewhere, other practices in the area do have open lists and can register you even if you are already registered locally. Kind regards Caroline Jones Practice Manager
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Review titled unable to book appointment
Rated 1 star out of 5
by DAVID COTTRELL - Posted on 12 April 2023
I find it ridiculous that the practice is taking on new patients as I have been trying for 3 weeks now to get an appointment with a doctor or nurse . It is impossible to get through on the phone . I got through in February as I seem to have a recurring cough and was treated over the phone which I do not think was appropriate . I now have another cough and there does not seem to be anything I can do about it. I also need to have my hearing re tested , hence apparently I need a referral , there seems to be no way to do that either.
Visited February 2023
Review titled Blandford Medical Centre
Replied on 14 April 2023
Dear Mr Cottrell, Thank you for your comments. I am sorry you have experienced some difficulties obtaining an appointment. Unfortunately access to GP appointments is a nationwide issue. Despite offering over 400 appointments every day at Blandford we still reach our capacity. However I note that you have only called the practice on one occasion this month and were offered an appointment at the weekend clinic which you declined. I am sorry you feel treating over the phone is not appropriate, I can only advise that it is appropriate and the GP will call you in if clinically necessary. You have successfully booked an appointment since leaving this review and you have already been given advise about the referral that you have requested. I suggest you discuss this again at you appointment. Kind regards Caroline Jones
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Review titled Great health care assistant
Rated 4 stars out of 5
by Anonymous - Posted on 24 January 2023
Had major operation&needed follow up care. The reassurance &care given&kindness displayed was so appreciated when I was feeling vulnerable. Even adding me on for appointment when the scheduled was full for that day. That kind of commitment will stay with me always. Thankyou
Visited January 2023
Review titled Blandford Medical Centre
Replied on 24 January 2023
Dear Patient, Thank you for taking the time to rate your recent experience at the practice. I will ensure that the staff are made aware of your lovely feedback. I wish you a speedy recovery following your surgery. Kind regards Caroline Jones Practice Manager