Forest Gate offers personal care services in a tidy, welcoming setting. Clients are welcomed with a professional approach and attention to detail. Appointments are practical and clearly explained from start to finish.
Unable to give a no star rating, which I wanted to give, Yet again receptionist very unhelpful. Reading from a script, unable to problem solve and extremely patronising. Just wish I took her name.
I'm so sorry to read about some of the bad reviews about the receptionists. Maybe I have been lucky and cought them on a good day but so far I have not had a problem. my new doctor has bent over backwards to help with my health problems. So I can only say thank you to everyone. fingers crossed it will stay like this, a very stressful job to be doing these days I'm sure.
I am writing this review following a deeply upsetting and frankly disgraceful experience that my elderly mother had at our local doctor’s surgery. What should have been a place of support, care, and professionalism turned into a deeply distressing ordeal, entirely due to the conduct of the individual on reception. The receptionist’s attitude was shockingly rude and dismissive—not only to my mother, who is elderly and unwell, but also to other vulnerable patients present at the time. Their tone and manner were cold, abrupt, and completely devoid of empathy or basic respect. It was clear they had no interest in helping the people coming through the door—people who are often in pain, anxious, or frightened and simply trying to get the help they need. This is not just about bad manners. It is about a lack of basic decency in a healthcare setting, where the first point of contact can make all the difference to someone’s experience, especially for the elderly, disabled, or chronically ill. The role of a receptionist in a medical practice is crucial—yet this person appeared entirely disengaged, indifferent, and unfit for the responsibilities of the position. I am appalled that this is the standard of care being provided. Everyone deserves to be treated with dignity, especially in a place meant to serve public health. This experience has left a lasting negative impression, and I sincerely hope the management of the surgery takes this feedback seriously and takes appropriate action to address it. Patients deserve better. Vulnerable people deserve better. Our community deserves better.
I registered here after moving recently but have been unable to get through to the gp on the phone after multiple attempts. Tried using their online service just to be told to call the GP. Awful - I have re-registered elsewhere and have got an appointment elsewhere no trouble.
I've got absolutely no problem with the service the GPs provide. I fully appreciate how stretched the whole service is and I personally try not to go to see my doctor unless I absolutely have to. I also would condemn anyone who was abusive down the phone to the receptionists. But this last point is the area I'd like to address. It's very difficult to bite your tongue when the staff / receptionists speak to you like you have the mental age and intelligence of a 2yr old. When I consider the warning issued at the start of the phone recording about zero tolerance towards abuse (rightly so), it almost feels like they enjoy being untouchable and goading the caller into snapping so they can hang up. For the record my call didn't end that way. But that's because of me not rising to the bait. Which of course would be completely denied by the surgery and the person in question.
The 5 stars are for Dr Renshaw not the practice. She has been fantastic in my recent health journey, she has listened, validated, advised and been helpful. The practice is better than most and even though there are long waits on the phone and sometimes you can't speak to a doctor they are generally very helpful if you treat them with respect.
I must praise Dr Dawkins for the way she has helped me with my symptoms recently after experiencing a bout of illness, following up with telephone calls and explaining next steps. Very good service.
Forest Gate uses Covid as an excuse not to see anyone anymore face to face. You have to go through their extremely rude triage staff, who are unbelievably ill-mannered, discourteous and supercilious. This used to be a nice surgery years ago, but it is awful now. Have forgotten what the doctors are like, because they seem to be in hiding, but the phone staff are truly disagreeable people. When they eventually answer the telephone, that is.
Has anyone had problems with Forest Gate Dental Surgery. They message you to reschedule an appointment but never answer the phone when you are asked to phone them. Absolutely disgusting service am very disappointed as a new patient.
I don't recognise the person described in the last review. Fraidon, in my and my family's view, is the best dentist we've ever had. Friendly, polite, professional, experienced and dedicated. It's the dentist that wins the 5 stars for the practice.
Forest Gate is located at Forest Gate Surgery, 1 Hazel Farm Rd, Totton, Southampton SO40 8WU, UK
You can contact Forest Gate at +44 23 8066 3839
You can find directions to Forest Gate by following this map link