At Albyn Medical Practice, we found several noteworthy aspects that contribute to a positive patient experience. 

First, Albyn Medical Practice boasts a standout professional in Dr. William Harrison, who has been with the practice for 28 years. Former patients commended him for being helpful, kind, and patient, which we admire.

Aside from specialising in minor surgery, he teaches medical students and is known as a police surgeon, proving that he is quite an experienced and well-respected practitioner. 

Dr. Harrison and his colleagues offer eConsult services, for those seeking advice, self-help information, or administrative requests such as sick notes or test results. Receiving a response by the end of the next day adds to the efficiency of this service. 

It’s also comforting to know that his practice welcomes new patients compared to those who limit new patients or has a set of strict patient criteria.This makes it easier for individuals to access their medical services.

We also appreciate the inclusion of NHS Grampian MSK physiotherapy services, offering patients access to a variety of medical services. Do note that some services require payment, as they fall outside the scope of the NHS. 

In addition, the wheelchair-accessible restroom availability is a thoughtful touch, offering inclusivity for all visitors. 

However, it would be more convenient if the clinic accepted credit or debit card payments. 

Furthermore, the requirement for full payment before receiving non-NHS services might pose an inconvenience to some patients.

At Denburn Medical Practice, the experience starts with their care navigation team.

This friendly team asks several questions and then hands things over to the Clinical Lead, ensuring you’re referred to the right team of specialists.

Speaking of great service, their GP Partner – Dr. Jennifer Vorenkamp – is one of its stars. Her compassionate approach to medicine, coupled with her listening ear, has led to consistently positive outcomes for patients.

Dr. Jennifer Vorenkamp also offers online consultations, which is quite convenient. This is a good option for those who have mobility issues or are too busy to walk in.

Her clinic also has a diabetes team, which is noteworthy. They proactively line up the patients’ twice-yearly check-ups and nurse appointments, complete with essential  blood tests.

For those who have memory problems, her clinic has a specific service for this, too. You can set up an appointment with their GPs, who’ll help you figure things out.

We also appreciate their District Nurses. They take care of  everything for homebound patients: general nursing procedures, post-surgery care, and empowering you to take care of yourself.

That said, some patients mentioned trying to book appointments with Dr. Vorenkamp online, only to hit a wall. 

Apparently, some receptionists haven’t been at their best lately, either. Reports mentioned a few instances where they came across as a bit, well, condescending and snappy. 

Links Medical Practice offers both NHS and non-NHS services. Their GP Partner, Dr. Gairn Davidson, was described by patients as being exceptionally empathetic, an attentive listener, and genuinely caring about their well-being and mental health journey.

His experise is nothing to scoff at either – he has over 20 years of medical experience, boosting our confidence in his know-how.

We’re also impressed by the clinic’s range of contraceptive services—medical advice, pills, injections, and even implant fittings. Individuals would have access to a variety of choices that suit their preferences and lifestyles. 

His clinic also has a Florence Blood Pressure Monitoring system wherein patients receive reminders via text to check their BP. The readings are then sent back and smartly integrated into the system, allowing authorised staff to keep tabs on you.

They also offer a variety of screening services unlike other clinics; think bowel, cervical, breast, and even abdominal aortic aneurysm screenings. This allows patients to have access to thorough preventive care

And if you’re getting ready for travel, they offer adult immunisation, which not all clinics offer.

They also offer minor surgery, another unique feature that not all practices offer. This is for those who are in need of small skin lesion removal. 

However, some mentioned that minor surgery schedules can sometimes get abruptly cancelled. That’s a bit of a letdown, especially if you’re in pain.

And, there’s a mixed bag of reviews about Dr. Davidson’s staff; some had run-ins with what they felt were a bit of incompetence and rudeness. Receptionists also occasionally provided conflicting information, which could make things a tad confusing.

Rubislaw Place Medical Group is practically an Aberdeen institution, with roots dating back to 1884. Currently, they take care of around 8,500 patients, showing its wide reach and experience.

The star of the practice is GP Dr. David M Marwick. He has over 30 years of experience, which is reassuring for patients who want a practitioner who is deeply immersed in this field.

Aside from praising his fresh-smelling GP waiting area, patients also stated that Dr Marwick always gave him excellent service. One patient actually stated that she was heartbroken since she was moving away, and she doesn’t want to change her GP!

Unlike other clinics, Dr. Marwick’s practice offers a Hospital Site Shuttle Bus – a free service by NHS Grampian. This is quite convenient for the staff, patients, and visitors.

His clinic focuses on helping caregivers too. They offer services like flu shots, special check-ups, and carer support groups, showing they care about those who look after others.

What’s also cool is that they also have a health visitor for kids’ health, and midwives and GPs who specialise in pregnancy. 

Their patient transport service is also handy – it helps people get to appointments and the hospital safely.

Older patients also get free personal nursing care. It’s not common everywhere, but it’s a big help for anyone 65 or older.  

And for those with long-term conditions, the NHS Chronic Medication Service is there – you can get it at pharmacies all around Scotland.

However, we got wind of his receptionists chit-chatting about patients. This makes us worry about how professional and confidential things are. 

Plus, a few people had a tough time booking appointments with Dr. Marwick, showing there might be some room to make scheduling smoother.

Whinhill Medical Practice is a well-known clinic in Aberdeen named after its location –  Whinhill Road.

Most patients recommend consulting with their GP, Dr. Gillian Clarke. Apparently, she is known for consistently providing top-notch care.

In fact, one patient has mentioned that she never had a problem getting a call back from Dr. Clarke, unlike other GPs.

In collaboration with the Substance Misuse Service, Dr. Clarke’s clinic offers a support system that involves community workers, therapists, and more, which is impressive.

To bridge language barriers, Dr. Clarke’s clinic thoughtfully implemented a Language Line, allowing customers with foreign languages to communicate with ease. Not all clinics offer this handy service.

For those with diabetes, her clinic also conducts an annual thorough checkup. We appreciate this approach that contributes to better diabetes management. 

The pharmacist even holds a hypertension clinic each week. We think this is a practical and considerate addition, addressing a common health concern.

They’re also known for their maternity services, which is great for those expecting and new moms. Plus, they’re vigilant in monitoring patients taking specific medications for arthritis and bowel conditions, showcasing their focus on patients’ well-being.

Parking’s sorted with designated spaces, and the setup is easy to navigate. It’s even wheelchair-friendly, since all the important rooms are on the ground floor. 

On the flip side, we learned that booking a slot with Dr. Clarke can be a bit tricky due to her popularity. We even heard someone tried to get an urgent appointment and had to wait for over a month.

And unfortunately, some patients didn’t have the best experience with her receptionists. We heard they were a bit rude and condescending at times,and one person even felt brushed off when trying to register as a new patient.