Woodlands Medical Practice London

Woodlands Medical Practice London

1 11  Reviews


Doctors in London - East Finchley
54 Leopold Road , East Finchley, London, N2 8BG
+44 (0) 844 855 0567

Woodlands Medical Practice in London, LONDON, is a local doctor. They specialise in doctor surgeries, Woodlands Medical Practice doctor has its address at 54 Leopold Road.




Woodlands Medical Practice London Reviews


GP Surgery - I have recently moved to this practice and have had nothing but problems with their staff.

1. The hours stated on the website are intentionally misleading as they do not show that they are closed for 2.5 hours in the middle of the day.

2. Having handed in my transfer forms I was told to come back on a day when the nurse was in to take my blood pressure - when I did she was not there and the receptionist took it.

3. Because I have high blood pressure an appointment was made for me to see the nurse on 20th April at 10.45am. I arrived early & was happy to read a book while I waited. The nurse called me into her room but there seemed to be a problem with another patient waiting to see her? She took my blood pressure but could not see all my medicines on her PC as the list I had handed in with my transfer form had not been typed in. She got the list from reception and then saw that it said on her PC that I was a smoker. When I told her that I had not smoked for 4-5 years instead of amending it to show this she put in that I had received Smoking Cessation Advice in 2015. As I will not have lies put in my records which will be in them forever I told her to put in the true position. She argued with me about this saying that she had given me advice and I asked how she could give me advice to stop smoking when I had done so 4-5 years before. In the end I was forced to tell her that if she did not change the records I would write in and complain. She told me she wanted me to do so but did change the records. She also told me I should be having my blood pressure checked by the receptionist!

She then took my blood pressure again which had gone through the roof and made sure she included this reading on my records. I can see only one reason for taking it again after having caused an argument.

She then told me to get blood tests done and to make an appointment to see the doctor and took me to reception to make an appointment making me leave her room before I had got dressed again.

4. At reception I got a very abrupt "there are no appointments available call at 8.30 tomorrow" which was repeated when I pointed out that it would take some time for my blood tests to be done.

5. The following morning I spent about 15 minutes trying to get through to make an appointment only to be told when I did that there were none and to call back tomorrow.

I transferred to this practice because I was told they had had problems with their staff’s attitude to patients which had been sorted out and the doctors were very good. Clearly their staffing problems have not been solved and are exacerbated by taking on more patients than this small practice can handle. This is no excuse for the lack of courtesy shown towards patients. As I have been unable to see a doctor I cannot comment on how good or bad they are.

I wish I had found tipped.co.uk before I registered with this practise as 9 out of 10 comments were very bad.  

Rating  1

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Avoid- horrid place! - I completely agree with sarah g's comment (how does Dr I get away with being so rude?!), and all the negative reviews generally. Staff are very rude, doctors' knowledge and practice leave a lot to be desired, appointments are ridiculously difficult to get. Always feels like you have to beg to be seen and listened to. After 2 years, just registered with another GP - never coming back to that place!  

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Avoid at all costs!!!! - Dr Ingram is rude, unkind and doesn't seem to know much!!

worst experience I have ever had at a doctors surgery and would never recommend anyone to register here!  

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Appalling practice... - Hi all,

I agree with all the negative comments about this practice...useless beyond belief. A few examples:

I took my swollen legs and ankles there, and to my utter disbelief, the doctor printed out a sheet from the Internet and handed it to me. It recommended drinking water and raising my legs when sleeping.
A couple of months later I was on a trip in the US, bad case of swelling again, went to A&E and lo and behold, they did an ultrasound scan...turns out I have poor circulation and am at risk of ending up with varicose veins!!!

I am trying to book an appointment online and over the phone the whole past week; spoke to someone a couple of time who mildly barked ' There are no appointments, call in the morning'.

I tried this morning from 8:30 - 8:50 - so I started work late - nobody picked up...

Let's not even mention the speed at which I am ushered out when I do get an appointment, or the allergic rash I had on my legs that 'would eventually subside' according to the doctor. Yes I know every allergic outburst eventually subsides but isn't it their job to make sure we endure the least possible discomfort?

They need to start with professional medical receptionists - the ladies there are unpleasant, don't listen to people properly, are borderline disrespectful.

To cap it all, the phone number is not even free!

A disgrace...  
Tags: Woodlands East Finchley GP

Rating  1

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Go to the bottom of the class - I have to concur with all the negative comments posted here (and elsewhere) about Woodlands
Medical Practice. Having spent most of my working life in Germany and having followed the succession of scandalous stories about the NHS, I wasn't expecting too much in the way of service. Unfortunately, all my worst fears have been realised. I'm not sure whether front-of-house staff have ever been given proper training in soft skills and organisational abilities, but I have found them wanting in both departments. Abrupt, officious and unhelpful are the three descriptions that immediately spring to mind. On my first day at the practice, having just registered, I was asked to give a urine sample. When I placed that on the counter I was immediately shouted at and made to feel I had committed a heinous crime.
I object to having to pay premium telephone rates to contact the practice. It is unacceptable that the only way of doing so is via an 0844 number. The NHS should not be seen to be ripping off patients.
In March and April of this year I attempted to book an appointment on four separate occasions by phone. On the first three occasions I was told I had to ring again in a few days time because all appointments were taken and they were unable to deal with a time-frame that extended beyond three days. This in itself is totally absurd. You would be laughed out of court if a surgery attempted to organise its system of appointments like this in Germany. On the fourth and final occasion I was kept waiting in a queue for ten minutes, having navigated my way round the usual menu, only to have the phone put down on me for no apparent reason. I then decided to walk to the practice myself in order to book an appointment.
The reason for the initial appointment was because the review date for repeat medication had already passed. I explained I needed a prescription and was then told I didn't need to see the doctor. When the repeat prescription was handed out to me several days later - you get your prescriptions ON THE DAY in Germany; there's no need whatsoever for patients to be kept hanging around like this - it had the peremptory remark on it "Review Date Overdue". Well, thank you for that!
My most recent experience involved a case of sudden acute pain in the groin area. When I rang up to get an appointment I was told that my doctor wasn't available for the next two days, an alternative doctor was not available and that I had to ring up again the following week but without any guarantee that I could be given a definite appointment. I ended up paying through the nose to go to a private clinic where the matter was dealt with speedily, efficiently and above all courteously. Is it any wonder that so many patients have cause to complain about Woodlands Medical Practice? All patients in the UK, irrespective of their postcode, deserve better than this. It can be done elsewhere, so why not here?  

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All appointments gone in 10 minutes - So, after being unable to make an appointment 2 or 3 days in advance, I followed the reception staff's advice and called the surgery today at 8.30am. On the expensive 0844 number...

10 minutes on hold and eventually my call was answered by a member of staff who answered my request for an appointment with Dr Ingram today with a barked 'No appointments left!'

So, all appointments were taken in the 10 minutes between 8.30 and 8.40 am - what chance does one have ? I've taken the day off work, because I wrongly assumed (and stupidly followed the advice of the reception staff from last week) that I would get an appointment today. And will have to do the same tomorrow it seems, with no guarantee of success.

There has to be a better way.  

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How to forget how ill you are... - If you're ill, but not ill enough to call an ambulance, or take yourself to one of the last remaining A&E departments in North London, you should try giving these guys a call.

14 minutes on the phone with the helpful, good-natured receptionist will take your mind off any aches, pains or suffering you may be going through. As you struggle to decipher the protocols around booking a non-emergency appointment, your worries will fade into the middle distance.

It seems that if you want an appointment in, for example, 2 or 3 days time, it is impossible for this surgery to accomodate this simple request.
Appointments are not released until the morning of the following day.

If you do manage to see a doctor here, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE raise the issue of appointment bookings with them! They have to listen... Don't they?  

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what a waste of time! - As a cancer patient, once again I have to put a written request in for a repeat prescription that they know I have to take for 5 years. What an utter waste of my time and energy!
Will I never learn that they are the most unhelpful surgery that I have ever experienced.  

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woodlands my opinion - We all have the right to our opinions,which is why ive read and must add to these reviews.
It seems as if not everyone has had ideal trips to the doctors,and have written about them here,although,ive only read negetive observations.
For some reason none of the writers have found even one positive aspect of the clinics work to share along with the negetive observations.
That cant be an objective overview.
Is there nothing done properly?
Is there nothing positive whatsoever to be found in the work done by the whole staff?
Of course there is.
Ive been a patient since sep 2009,and i have witnessed top class professional medicine being practised.
Rules are rules,and given the numer of patients,rules keep order and help provide an efficient service.
Ive been in breach of appmt times and have had to reschedule.
Thats to keep the service running smoothly and efficiently,not to spite patients.
I dont expect the staff to bend the rules if im at fault.
In the three years ive been a patient ive seen the staff working to the best of their abilities,i dont recall the kind of description given by the two write ups above.
I attend fortnightly,thats 24times a year times three.
In 72visits ive not witnessed the horrible staff described,nor the terrible description of the doctors and managers.
The descriptions are not only harsh to say the least,but completely untrue and question the professionalisim and integrity of all mentioned and all those concerned.
Were i not a patient of this efficent and perfectly run clinic,i would have read these critics and been left with a biased impression.
Complaints are one thing sure,take them up with the managment not to question the way medicine is practised and the integrity of all staff.
I am expressing my opinion also,however after 72visits i have seen the service and met all the staff.
Woodlands medical practice is a brilliant medical establishment and i do not agree with the negetive points made about the practise.
The doctors and students and staff have always been a credit to their profession.
Such professional standards shouldnt be attacked without proper evidence or follow ups in the complaints procedure.
To slander those who are trying their best to help others with their skills in medicine is not a nice thing to do.
Please consider the reputations of all concerned.
So many years in practice doesnt deserve slander.
Thank you. MR O.T.AKINBOTE  
Tags: A brilliant practice

Rating  5

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Avoid at all costs - The experiences we have had as a family at this surgery over the last 4 years has been appalling. The reception staff are without doubt, the rudest and most aggressive individuals I have ever had the misfortune to meet. Despite having myself and my husband having letters with appointment dates they will insist until they are blue in the face that when they can't find your appointment on the surgery diaries that it is your fault. They police the appointments schedule as if they have trained medical knowledge and have told me they have no appointments available and when I have insisted on speaking with the practice manager miraculously several will appear. The army of students and student doctors attending appointments without your permission or prior knowledge is unacceptable. I have been given prescriptions for the wrong medicines, been misdiagnosed and misinformed.

I turned up for my babies 6 week and my post natal checks and at first they could find no record of my appointment, I was kept waiting for 45 minutes and then seen by Dr Ingram and 3 students who bombarded me with questions. I was rushed through the appointment and clearly the agenda was their training not the care of myself or my baby. When I got home I discovered Dr Ingram had not written any of the details of my baby's check in the red medical book nor completed any of the standard checks on myself - blood pressure, checked the decent of my uterus or my caesarian scar.

I went back to the surgery to ask for the details on my babies developmental checks and was told nothing had been recorded on the computer system. I tried to rebook the appointment and was told I would have to call the next morning in line with the procedure of the surgery. And would have to make 2 seperate appointments - on different days?? - for me and my baby. I tried several times - on the number that is charged at a premium rate. No luck. I already had my babies immunisations booked 2 weeks later and decided to wait until then. I turned up for this appointment and was told by the ignorant receptionist that I was there on the wrong day. I showed her my appointment letter and she said it was incorrect (as if it was my fault). She could not make a new appointment for the immunisations and would have to call in the morning in line with the surgeries procedures.

I refused to leave the surgery until I spoke to the practice manager. She clearly has had no training in dealing with errors or patient issues and was anxious, tripping over her vocabulary and visibly shaking. She told me it was not their policy to write in the red book - even though the NHS issued book has pages specifically throughout for records of development, immunisations up to pre-school and states - TO BE FILLED IN BY GP. All other details have been filled in by the paediatrician at the hospital, community midwives, health visitors etc. I asked how I was supposed to record and maintain my babies health records without it. She said they could staple a printout in there. She went off to get it and came back to tell me there had been no details recorded by Dr Ingram.

Appalling. We moved to Cherry Tree Surgery that afternoon and I am making sure I write my experience on every feedback and recommendation website I can find. Do not risk your families health or your sanity which is exactly what you will do if you register at this practice.  
Tags: Doctors

Rating  1

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Oh dear oh dear! - Having experienced first hand as well as knowing many patients who attend this surgery, I feel I owe it talk and share about our experiences, in the vain hope that lessons may be learned and mistakes avoided.
The surgery has become "comfortable" for the people who work there. There are student doctors that pass through the Woodlands Medical Practice that really need supervision as mistakes have been made, which may have been avoided, and at least four pensioners have had to have tests redone as a dirct result of thses mistakes.
Lets start with the reception staff, depending on who you talk to, you may get a very rude and impolite greeting if at all. Then they decide whether you need to be seen by a doctor, forgetting that they are not the ones with the medical knowledge and a patient actually knows more about their condition than they are given credit for.
If you can get past the reception, you have a "waiting" room, which if you're not careful, you may end up waiting ALL day in, as they have been known to have forgotten about you. And apparently it's never their fault its because you haven't follwed their preocedure!Erm....what preocedure, perhaps something in writing that is placed on the wall would be helpful to both staff and patients.
An update of the system is needed so if patients choose, they can check themselves in, as in alot of other surgeries, to let the doctor know they have arrived.
The phone number is outrageously expensive and unlike others it is only a premium number.
I know a cancer survivor who goes to the surgery and the poor woman is never given priority when in pain, again no procedure to help the most needy.
I have heard the staff scream, yes scream, at a pensioner who made the mistake of handing in a repeat presciption on the "wrong day", the poor man didn't know what to do with himself and she only stopped because I stood there and looked at her. Appalling, next time, I'll record it.
The doctors are a mixed bunch, its pot luck whether you get the impatient Dakin or the foul mouthed Ingram or the amazing Bechalani.
They have got rid of the most productive, patient friendly and popular doctor in September of 2012, and she was so sad to leave. I'm going to be observing if there is any discrimination as there seems to be a pattern forming over the last seven years.
One of the patients was a man who was diagnosed as having "heartburn" but he had actually suffered from two minor heart attacks and went on to have a major one, gaviscon didn't really cut it!
The house manager, when she is there, could do more to train the staff and make the place a lot friendlier, sort the administration out, e.g right forms filled in for referrals etc, you expect to go to a doctors to come out feeling better, not worse.
Could be a wonderful practice, shame.
Think it's time for an audit and mystery clients for this practice, or an undercover docu may be calling soon....  
Tags: , doctor, woodland medical practice

Rating  1

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