CHEC Recensioni 97

CHEC occupies an old shop in Bournemouth with the entrance shared with a barbers - not a very reassuring start.
I have the beginnings of glaucoma and have been monitored and treated by Bournemouth Hospital's opthalmic departmen for many years. A basic test is checking eye pressure - this was not done.
The lady who did the field test and eye photographs was very nice, but the equipment looked old and not comparable with my usual High street opticians, who do the same tests.
I booked my next appointment in the shop, but received emails asking me to book a follow up appointment. This appointment is with a clinician/doctor and I feel very apprehensive.

I can only agree with all the other negative comments about CHEC. Response time on phone appalling. Curiously when I pressed the options for "new private customer" my call was answered immediately! Fancy that. Show the company's priorities. They shouldn't have an NHS contract.

What went right?? I wrote to CHEC customers services to complain about my appointment with an eye technician on 11th February. I still have not had a reply. I filled in the customer survey with similar comments & never heard a word. The technician who conducted my appointment was rude, abrupt & unprofessional. I think it is in the CHEC's interest to know what happened. You cannot get hold of any one on a phone as I have tried numerous times. I just think they do not care at all. Worse than disappointing.

This company is not fit for purpose. Over an hour wait for my phone call to be answered or for a callback. Lack of available appointments even though I was told I needed a review within a few weeks.
Head Office manager failed to return my phone call even though I was told she would phone back the same day.

I am only applying 1 star as you can't give zero.
I was referred to CHEC dermatology dept with a possibly dangerous condition and was told I would be contacted by CHEC by a specific date; if not, to phone them.
As I had heard nothing by that date, I phoned them. Stayed on the line in a 'queue' and after an hour the line dropped. Tried again, and opted for the automated system for a callback 'We willl ring you within 3 hours'. They didn't. Tried this several times over the next few days even ringing before 8am 'Our department opens at 8'. Rang at 08:01 no luck.

They even trotted out the ubiquitous lie
'Our team are unusually busy dealing with other patients'.
At 1 minute after you opened the lines?
We all know this is a lie used by many corporations to cover their lack of investment in customer service resources.

Somewhat optimistically I submitted their online contact form hoping this wouldn't be ignored. Nothing.

In a nutshell: Are CHEC good at the medical side of things? At this rate, I may never know.
Are they good at customer service?
No, on this experience, one of the worst organisations I have ever had the misfortune to be forced to deal with.
postscript: I even contacted my GP surgery to ask if they could contact them assuming they woulda have a medical practice direct line. Surgery advised they too only have access to the public number I used.

Frightening and unnecessary "outcome" letter

I was referred by my GP for possible skin cancer and attended a chec clinic where a young woman took photographs of my lesion. She told me they'd be sent to one of their dermatologists for analysis and id receive a letter with the outcome in a week. Today I received a one liner email with the "letter" attached. It had my name at the top but no "Dear Mrs...." It began with "diagnosis - suggests [the worst type of] skin cancer. Then it went on to say I'd been "upgraded to urgent" and will be contacted by my local hospital.

I've now got to wait up to 2 weeks to get a call from the hospital and in the meantime go out of my mind with worry as I suffer with severe health anxiety. There was absolutely no value in sending me this letter as I had already been told I was going to be contacted by the hospital, where I will see a dermatologist face to face.

What do these people actually *think* someone will feel like when they receive an email like this??

I had an extremely bad experience at CHEC Health Centre Ilford and I strongly do NOT recommend this place.

First of all, when I was called from the waiting area, the staff member spoke in a very low voice from far away, standing hidden near a corner. I could barely hear my name being called. This is totally unprofessional and confusing for patients.

During the upper endoscopy procedure, the device was wrongly inserted into the side of my mouth. It got stuck, and instead of stopping immediately, the staff member tried to push it several times. Only after that did he realise it was in the wrong position, pulled it out, and reinserted it correctly. This caused significant pain in my throat, which continued even after the procedure finished.

After the procedure, I was told to wait on a chair next to the entrance door, not in a proper recovery or resting area. I was dizzy and uncomfortable. I asked for tissues and was told rudely, “It’s in the toilet, go and get it yourself.”

I had been fasting for more than 10 hours for this procedure, and I am diabetic. Not even basic care was offered — no water, no checking how I was feeling, nothing.

On top of that, the equipment used looked very old and outdated. The endoscopy tube was very thick compared to modern devices, which made the whole experience even more painful and unpleasant.

Overall, this was a very bad and unsafe experience. The staff were careless, the equipment was poor, and the patient care was almost non-existent. This centre should seriously review its standards. I will not return and I do not recommend this place to anyone.

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## Version 2 – Very Aggressive / Harsh (If you want it really unpolite)

This was one of the worst medical experiences I have ever had.

From the moment I arrived at CHEC Health Centre Ilford, everything was unprofessional. The staff member who called me spoke in a very low voice from far away, almost hiding, and expected me to magically hear him.

During the endoscopy, the device was inserted wrongly and got stuck in the side of my mouth. Instead of stopping, the operator kept pushing it multiple times like he had no idea what he was doing. Only later he realised the mistake, pulled it out and reinserted it. This caused real pain and throat injury.

After the procedure, I was dumped on a chair next to the entrance door like a piece of furniture, not in any recovery area. I was dizzy, weak, and when I asked for tissues, I was told to go to the toilet and get them myself.

I had fasted for over 10 hours and I am diabetic. No water, no care, no concern at all for my condition.

The equipment was old, thick, and clearly outdated. This is not what a modern medical centre should be using.

This place is careless, poorly managed, and shows zero respect for patients. I genuinely felt unsafe. I would strongly advise people to avoid this centre and go somewhere that actually knows how to treat patients properly.

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The only good there was One female staff member in the procedure room was the only person who treated me professionally..

After making a previous complaint about their terrible eye care, instead of putting things rightm I have been victimised by another traumatic experience with one of their eye doctors.
Use the Blackpool branch AT YOUR PERIL !!

Received MSG on 1st February 26 advising they would be contacting me. Today at 9am 12 February 26 clicked on the link provided to commence treatment by providing photos of my determology problem. Tried and tried to upload without success. Rang the number provided they have promised to return my call. Not impressed. The initial impression is that CHEC provides a service in so many areas of the U.K. could this be an early sign they are unable to cope ALREADY. THEY ONLY COMMENCED IN ESSEX 12 days ago less 2 weekends so operational for only 8 days.Not good

They are absolutely crackers. We get about 4 letters for one appointment. The opticians are ok but the receptionist havnt a clue

I am writing this to make people aware of my experience at CHEC Redditch. Due to their highly unprofessional, and the defamatory, inaccurate comments made by their staff, as a result I wrongfully lost my driving license from their communications to my doctor. False information and defamatory comments were submitted regarding my health, which required me to go through the stressful process of appealing the DVLA decision, which I did successfully appeal after 3 months, proving CHEC’s reports were wrong. Their staff lack medical professionalism and appear to have no regard for the life-altering consequences of their defamatory notes on my medical records. I was unable to carry on with my everyday life and incurred substantial financial and emotional costs. I am sharing this to prevent anyone else from going through this experience. I would submit no stars if there was the option to.

absolutely appalling service. Wait on phone lines to make appointment over 1.5 hrs. requested call back but then return call went straight to voice mail so round in a circle back to waiting on line again. No local appointments available and expect 92 year old to travel miles for appointment for screening and then another appointment for results.

Had first eye cataract surgery done today. The surgeon was great and reassuring. I was so nervous and the team put me at ease. Would have been a five star review but my 11:30 appointment ended up a 2:30 pm one - lots of waiting. Went in to pre op room get ready to be told to go back into the waiting room as the surgeon needed her lunch! No one wants a hungry surgeon! It is what it is, people gotta eat.

I had a cataract procedure at the Stevenage CHEC for my left eye and after that I would never consider returning to have my
right eye done.
The receptionists were pleasant enough, but on both my visits they were training staff and everything took ages. Be prepared to wait an hour or two after your allocated time for your appointment.
One nurse there who put drops in my eyes was lovely and reassuring but sadly she was the only one I came across.
When taken into a small room prior to the procedure i found the nurse to be unfriendly and she did not tell me what she would be doing. I was then left in there for about 20 minutes while there was constant shouting, from the emergency patient that had come in and from the doctor who did the procedure which was very unsettling.
I found the doctor to be very brusque although he did talk me through the procedure.
When it was done, as I have severe arthritis, I struggled to get up from the couch and to remove the pillow from under my knees at which point a nurse said it looked like I was giving birth! Not appropriate.
The assistant who talked me through home care ignored my questions, at one point I asked her if she could hear me.
I was shaking from head to toe but wasn't even offered a glass of water.
My vision is better in that eye but it was 3 months before it healed properly even though I followed the correct procedure.
Never again!
I'm sorry to have to leave such a scathing review but things won't change if people don't speak out.

I have previously reviewed this clinic as my treatment was appalling. Totally unprofessional from the reception team to the resident Dr and the practice manager. I’m back as they were instructed to refer me to the RVI hospital in July 2025.
They did refer me but then cancelled the referral weeks later without telling me.
I have been patiently waiting for my appointment that was never going to come.
I’ve spoken with the rvi they were extremely helpful and most apologetic although they had no need to apologise.
I firmly believe as my previous review was so critical they did this deliberately.
They have an appalling reputation the staff on reception leave a lot to be desired in cleanliness appearance and manners.
But worst of all the resident Dr was completely unprofessional bordering on being quite personal and very unpleasant.
The manager also brushing over the very large cracks I’m absolutely astonished they are still allowed to practise.
CQC or whoever governs over them need to shut them down before they do any further damage

Admin is not only out of step, it is aggravating and puts the onus on the customer:
1. Text cancelling my appointment.
2. I call but am told that there are no appointments and to call back in 2 weeks.
3. Letter received saying they have “attempted” to contact me etc and will cancel referral in 28 days.
Only at the end does it admit the possibility that I might have already been in touch and to ignore the letter. How irritating is this when I have done my bit but they are unable to cope but won’t admit it?

My mother had both eyes done at CHEC one eye was so badly damaged she has been referred to the Hospital
The pressure in this eye was over 50 which caused her serious pain and discomfort.
She nearly lost her eye because of Chec and nobody at chec would take responsibility.
Shocking all about money.

Well this is hard to describe. I am shocked that they are allowed to trade the way that they do. Seems to be a rushed conveyor belt of patients. With at most locations no receptionist.
I initially saw them as some god awful doctors surgery in my town, no warning about drops to dilate my eyes and absolutely petrified me I think giving my ptsd. I do have poor sight in one eye and I’m very deaf. So no warning what would happen for a 20 something who’s quite scared about their eyes was horrific. But that’s not the worst part, remember it being filthy and for years I refused their appointments.
Roll forward to hmm 2020 I was referred again seen a few times, I remember walking in the guy said so you gave MS… eh? Erm no. Sorry what. That old appointment in 2015 was to check if I had MS but was cleared and discharged.. so I guess he was looking at that..?
Over the last 5 years I’ve gone to Stratford, somewhere other side of Stratford like Welsbourne I think. Droitwich, kings Norton, Redditch and Bromsgrove.
Bromsgrove was in an old ophthalmologist shop had a receptionist but felt very pop up. Random odd chairs, temporary walls. No actual privacy and I didn’t have any scans or dilation, pictures etc. but I was checked with lights it was clean.
King Norton a REAL clinic with a receptionist, solely chec patients multiple rooms and doctors. Felt real., and clean. Unfortunately I just couldn’t grasp the doctors accent but he was friendly.
Droitwich, both in Stratford and a few others, no receptionist just billy no mates you have to try to find where the waiting room area for chec is (a corner of a bigger doctors surgery or hospital.. and you wait for one patient out then you are in. Again no real diagnostics they look in your eye you never see the same person twice..
Now wow droitwich is by far the worst coulda been the same filthy guy as latchkey in redditch all those years ago.. not only did he use the pressure thing without changing the rubbers, but the but you rest your chin in was FILTHY… it was brown/blood looking marks similar to foundation but the last patient was a man with a white beard.. being immune suppressed I was like erm please wipe… pointing at the filth he said he’d just done it sorry sorry.. he hadn’t as it wiped clean.. made me absolutely freak out I wouldn’t allow an examination..
I complained to no avail..
recently I’ve been seen in Redditch a could of times, again no receptionist but there is an office rental and a nurse, you need to buzz yo get in. -4 last week I was stood there 15 minutes and waited until last person came out. Making me 10 minutes late but I was seen.. they took pictures of my eyes and I get a text to book an appointment and guess what.. none available sooo I know the dreaded hour plus phone call is coming.. I decided to see Specsavers as I guess whatever was seen by my picture or the pressure or whatever has triggered an appointment request but they have nothing available…? Potty

Over all redditch is clean and staff good but it’s still big great with admin
Droitwich filthy and you can’t complain
Kings Norton fantastic and very clean but can’t get an appointment.
All other surgeries you’re left like a melon waiting not knowing if you’re in the right place.
Admin is very poor..

If they had receptionists and endured hygiene was 1st in their priorities maybe they would get a better rating.
When I said to my mum I’d been referred there again she said oh yes it’s like 3rd world practitioner.. from an 81 year old take that as you like..

For me if you can be referred to an actual hospital instead I’d take that as your health would feel more cared for.

The staff are all very nice but it just lacks professionalism and handling as I feel medical things should be cared for. This is eyed after all.

I feel chec are getting a lot of money and not using the money paid to work in efficiency..

Trying to book an appointment is extremely difficult. Prepare to lose half a day. When i finally got through to a person, after several attempts and around 4hrs of calling, the person told me there were no appointments for the next couple of months and after that they had no dates released yet....
Completely pointless. I complained and the staff (who are nice) sorted an appointment for next week.
The main issues with CHEC are many:
- Online booking system broken forcing people to use the phone
- Phone waiting times were ALWAYS over an hour - 3hrs if you asked for a callback.
- No appointments available, when you finally break through and speak to someone