I must admit I've not had the best time with Pinn Medical Centre…read more
Back when I first registered with them, they were a much smaller practice, in a location easy to get to, with a bus stop right outside. The staff were helpful, I saw the same doctor or two every time, and it wasn't too hard to get an appointment.
Then they became one of those big surgeries with 20 rooms, a dentist, a pharmacist, and various clinics that would normally be run at Northwick Park.
While I don't deny there is convenience to be had (for example, I've had an abdominal scan at the Pinn, and some minor surgery - much easier than going to a big hospital), the size has just gotten away from them. The lovely staff at the old location are all gone, and have been replaced by bitter, unfriendly receptionists who always seem to resent your mere presence.
They have so many doctors, but so many more patients, that it's nearly impossible to get in for an appointment without waiting about 10 days. Things like the new technology to book online or with an app are great - but twice I've got an appointment that way, only to turn up and be told that they have no record of my appointment, and I can either come back in a week or two, or wait around 2 hours for an emergency appointment.
I never can see the same doctor twice, and often (read: always) have to inform them of some relevant bit of medical history.
And they have such a turnover because of registrars etc that the quality of care isn't great. Most recently I went in with what I thought was sinusitis, and the GP literally did not touch me. Didn't take my temperature, or listen to my lungs, anything, just said yep, sounds like it, are you allergic to anything? and handed me a script for antibiotics. I was in and out in just 2 minutes.
If you have a smaller, more personalised surgery you can go to, you'd be wise to take it up!