Whitley House Surgery

If you're a stickler for a strict 10-minute appointment and discussing only a single symptom at a time, this is the surgery for you. You can be reasonably confident that your GP will not have spent valuable time reviewing your medical history before seeing you. While there doesn't appear to be a visible timer, you will be reminded when your allotted 10 minutes are up. Should you make the mistake of mentioning additional symptoms, you will be informed that these require a separate appointment, regardless of whether they may be related to the issue you originally booked to discuss. Prospective patients should also be aware that obtaining an appointment is not always straightforward or timely. The practice appears to operate on a highly symptom-led model. Treatment options frequently involve prescribing medication; if those medications cause side effects, further medications may be offered to manage those side effects, and so the cycle may continue. Communication is another distinctive feature. Patients are often expected to discuss personal medical information with reception staff, who then relay messages to the GP. The GP's response is subsequently passed back through reception and then on to the patient, ideally by text message, as direct conversation seems to be viewed as an unnecessary luxury. Overall, this surgery may suit those who prefer a transactional, protocol-driven approach to healthcare. Patients looking for continuity of care, holistic assessment, or a doctor who considers the wider context of their health may find the experience less satisfactory.

Your personal details are potentially unsafe at this GP . Edited for Ms winter- unless you have more than one person on your records who is complaining about a potential data breech in this manner- you know exactly who I am and thus your remarks are just Reductive. you have my details. You can get in contact whenever you like. Thank you. I sent this surgery a withdrawal of consent - no information is to be shared with any outside entity/office/etc except in legally required safeguarding situations. I received a letter back confirming the email and its details. So you can imagine my surprise when about a month later I logged into my NHS account and saw that a social worker - who had also been informed about this- had emailed the gp asking to discuss my case (after a gp has confirmed within that time that I am not at any risk/in danger from anyone -because spurious claims had been made- I had full capacity to decide against their involvement-there were no safeguarding measures in place). So you can understand my shock and dismay that a senior GP of the surgery- Dr Newman - had written back with - yes -please make an appointment to discuss-because he didn’t see the email in time to make the dates suggested… The response from the surgery was …a surprise - after no response for over 2 weeks - I got an email from - not the practice manger , not the dr who didn’t check before agreeing- but reception manger who has written this-direct quote- “I am sorry that this happened. The doctor did not see the withdrawal of your consent on the home screen of your clinical record”… “I note your concern that a meeting may have taken place if you hadn’t written to us on 1st April 2026 after noticing the letters on your record. I don’t believe any information would have been shared. As part of preparing for any meeting, the GP would have thoroughly reviewed your notes and see the withdrawal of consent and acted on it at this point.” Quite apart from the flippant assertion that she “doesn’t believe” any information would have been shared - which is absurd- clearly Dr Newman didn’t follow protocol the first time around so why would he follow it later? - It also misses the point of what has happened, and the potential seriousness - because if I am in this category of vulnerable disabled woman who is apparently “at risk” (which is what has been said by them and social services) then they should probably be doing a better job of taking care of my personal details, shouldn’t they. It was only me finding out that stopped the situation from happening- not any check or their legal obligation to keep my details safe and secure.- I found out. Is how this happened Apparently they have updated how records are shown. I feel SO much better. I wonder how many other people’s details have been shared without consent because they don’t know to check on the nhs app for documents sent to the gp? How many other doctors at the surgery couldn't/don’t see gdpr/sharing status? Dr Newman should never have written the letter. Dr Newman should have checked GDPR, Dr Newman who has been a GP and doctor for a very long time clearly must understand Caldecott, GDPR and associated legislation better than I do, and I know it states you check BEFORE you send ANYTHING to any outside party. So. Why is Dr Newman not apologising himself and why is the reception manager - not the practice manger - flippantly saying it doesn’t matter because she doesn’t believe anything would have happened. I’m surprisingly not comforted by this sorry excuse of a response. I am equally- if not more furious with social Services- but they are investigating it with some detail because they understand it’s a problem. This response is not an apology . It’s something they had to give the deeply annoying patient who holds them accountable for their actions. “I’m sorry this happened” isn’t an apology. “he didn't see it`” is not a reasonable thing to say without a full apology preceding that shameless statement. As they are happy with their response to me, they should have no issue with this

Outstanding practice. From the courteous and helpful reception team to the professionalism and attention to detail of the medical team. I’ve been nothing but impressed and reassured. Thank you all very much.

This is one of THE best primary care providers I have encountered. Cannot commend the medical, nursing and admin staff enough. I’m sure all the doctors are great, but specifically Drs Monsell & McNaughton-Garrett have been wonderful whenever myself or my children have required care. The narrative that primary care doesn’t do enough needs to change and practices need our support. Please know that you make a difference and are appreciated!

Best surgery in Chelmsford.

Amazing work by all staff and volunteers-- Just had the Covid jab. Very well organised and friendly. Please pass on my thanks if time allows. Dr Dickie Davies

Good points: Close proximity (for me). Big surgery with many doctors. Can get same day appointment provided you can go in very early in person. Good parking facilities (sometimes iffy and crowded). Not so good points: Poor attitude by receptionists; often hostile, unwelcoming and abrasive. Lack of a visible complaints process. Waiting area could be spruced up and made more welcoming. Poor patient engagement/feedback mechanism. Parking can sometimes be a problem (but I suppose that can't really be helped). Overall, I rate it as just above average surgery with plenty of room for improvement.

All of the staff are amazing and so helpful, they are always polite and go that extra mile to assist you. They are definitely the best doctors surgery I have ever been with. There is sometimes quite a wait to see a doctor when booking an appointment but if they can book you in with someone else i.e. a nurse or pharmacist then they will. I always recommend them and boast to my friends how great they are.

A superb practice in every possible way. You can usually get an appointment on line the same day and parking is usually not much of a problem. All the GPs are very friendly, thorough and caring always listening intently to your problem. I always leave the surgery much happier than when I went in. Contrary to some quite unpleasant impatient comments I also find the reception staff friendly and very helpful - people simply need to show them the friendly respect which they richly deserve.