North Parade Medical Centre belfast

Fantastic surgery wouldn’t go anywhere else

They're far too busy like most other key services in N.I. Staff are far from the most responsive. This isn't helped by the lack of investment in service features like text messaging for appointment updates.

Excellent doctors, very thorough and extremely kind.

One of the best GP practices I've used. Friendly and helpful reception, prompt appointments (telephone or otherwise). I've been well looked after here. Highly recommended.

Poorly run surgery that employed a receptionist who I believe deliberately refused to give me access to my doctor (over several days as "the system was down" until lifeline managed to instantly secure an appointment when calling on my behalf) and prevented me getting my medication due to her own bias, prejudice and political views (causing a meltdown which contributed significantly in me getting evicted from my home of ten years, fortunately I survived and am sill alive today although considerably jaded from my experience). I informed my doctor about the issues I'd been having but he did not take my concerns seriously and no action was taken. Having spoken to the practice manager I have no faith in this surgery, I got the impression I was being humoured and fobbed off and that the practice manager was doing the bare minimum he was obliged to. Apparently as the offender has since retired the matter is seen as being resolved. This is not the case (although my view appears to hold no water). My issues are with both the receptionist and the practice's failure relating to duty of care which appears to be something not taken too seriously. I would strongly advise anyone with "hidden" mental health issues to avoid North Parade Medical centre. It is not fit for purpose and the practice manager appears to be unwilling to address these serious failings. I found him to be insincere and lacking informed judgement and any empathy. Perhaps the delusion that a university qualification implies integrity and the ability to perform the role is in existence, I cannot say I share such an assessment. The current receptionists are very professional and pleasant to deal with, however, the practice manager was unable to direct me towards a doctor who was proficient in dealing with mental health with the empathy required. Instead he repeatedly informed me all their doctors were trained and competent. A phrase which means nothing and did not answer my questions whatsoever. It would seem the only solution left to myself is to change practices, a solution which will ensure one less "burden" for North Parade to have to deal with, freeing them up to deal with people who are deserving of care. I'd like to point out that for someone with complex, long standing mental health issues, it is very difficult to function day to day so my efforts to make them aware of issues like my own. Most of us don't have the energy to deal with issues like this. It is quite likely a great number of patients have been failed on mental health issues and their duty of care was not fulfilled but nothing will ever be done to right this wrong as they have no voice and even when they manage to speak, staff who are charged with correcting such issues are unwilling/incapable of performing the service they are charged with providing. A note to people in similar situations, If you have made it this far don't give up. Reach out to the Samaritans UK and change surgeries. So long as their is an unwillingness to accept criticism within this practice things will never change. The undertone of arrogance and/or denial is there to stay. But not every surgery is like this. Some doctors have the empathy and humility to adapt to serve the needs of people they are paid to serve. Whilst these kind of failures are commonplace in our health service today, don't give up striving for better. Remember, just because people are unable to see you as a worthwhile member of society with a voice worth listening to does not mean they are right.Sadly some people display a great deal of confidence whilst not possessing the skills to match the swagger. One may be lonely, but that doesn't mean one is alone. Good luck.