Practice Plus Group Hospitals - Plymouth Avis 11

This will be the first 1 star review of any establishment in my life…..

Having an appointment at 2.30 and turning up at 2.10 the receptionist couldn’t find my booking so sent me through to outpatients team to check…

They couldn’t find my booking either. Having played them the confirmation voicemail on my phone and showing the booking email, they said this was wrong and that my appointment was 6 weeks later.

Then after looking into things they told me the consultant who I was due to see was off and his appointments had been cancelled for the day.

NO PHONE CALL, NO COMMUNICATION, NO NOTHING.

All they offered was to see if they could get me in before my next appointment (WHICH I NEVER BOOKED for the date).

A day off work and a 100 mile round trip for nothing.

WHAT A JOKE

I would NOT recommend practice plus. Went as a private patient as I thought (wrongly) it might be quicker than NHS.
I have had to constantly chase for blood test results (wrong bloods taken first time around) then second time appointment cancelled the day before as results not back….and still aren’t!!!! It’s been shambolic. Gone back to my local doctor (NHS) who is sorting everything for me!!!
Bottom line. If you are looking to have anything done quickly due to being in a lot of pain Stick with NHS!!

The operation and care were great and went without a hitch. The reasons I’m marking down are because I had to do a lot of waiting around to get discharged which is understandable as it’s a hospital ward and there are priorities. When I was eventually given discharge papers the paperwork stated that I’d had a hip replacement on my right hip. The operation was actually on my left hip.. which is immediately a pretty glaring omission. I was given profuse apologies and eventually sent the correct paperwork in the post, so no harm done in the long run.
Also disappointed with the aftercare. When I was worried about my post op recovery a few weeks in I contacted the aftercare number I was given and arranged a date for a call with my surgeon. The date came and went and by late afternoon I rang again to be informed that my name had been missed off the call list. To be fair he did call back later that evening.
My 6 week assessment call with the surgeon on 11/3/26 came and went with no contact from anyone at practice plus. This is quite frustrating as I’m due back at work next week and would quite like to know my surgeons opinion on whether I’m fit to go back!? Overall a good experience but aftercare not great for the amount of money involved.

Easy to get the original £95 appointment and with the surgeon of my choice, the one who did my last operation. There was very little waiting, in to Xray then
straight away to see the surgeon where he explained things to me. Three weeks later I was in for the op. In for one night and home the next day where I knew wasn't going to be very pleasant for the next two weeks as it's quite an operation. After that if it's going to be like my first one I feel it has to be worth while.

All the staff know their stuff and can’t do enough to help

I arrived and went to reception where I was told to wait in the waiting room. A few minutes before my appointment I was called through for my procedure.
The staff were polite and very efficient - I cannot fault the service provided.

Just 20minutes after my initial enquiry ( via website ) I received a phone call from a very helpful person, who
offered me an appointment in a few days time. At the
hospital all the staff were extremely helpful and polite.
There is even a carpark attendant to help you park. Within 45 minutes I had extensive xrays and a consultants diagnosis. I thoroughly recommend this hospital

It is now 3 weeks since I responded to PPG's reply to my update ... I requested imaging, either CT or MRI, to be carried out to help me understand and confirm the arthrofibrosis. Heard nothing so I guess I'll never know, which is why, (probably), I have heard nothing.

UPDATE: July 2024, Left knee replacement at PPG Plymouth, although I weaned myself off of codeine late last year i am still taking daily paracetomol, especially if it involves flexing that knee. I'm still waking up in pain, very sleep deprived, although physio has stopped I've continued with the exercises, there has been limited progress BUT ... I really regret the surgery, it is far worse now than before. I'm still pretty miffed at being fobbed off with the; "Oh you're just one of the unlucky 10-15%" at the post-op review.

Unbelievable how quick professional understanding and a lovely clean place and hospital, i have been in and out since May and had a full knee replacement the service the staff the surgeons and nurses should be rewarded it was lovely, on a negative it’s a shame the whole NHS Doctors Surgeries and Hospitals are not like this.

I went into Plymouth patient Pluss for a full
Knee replacement and the experience was just horrible.
The food was vile .
Hardly eat in 3 days .
It felt like a conveyor belt .
One night In and they want you out .
Your discharge qualification is to be able to walk to the loo with a frame .
They then wheeled me to the stairs gave me some crutches and got me going down and up .
That's it your fit to go .

I don't think I was ,, i was in absolute agony, they come round and try different drugs on you .to try to find the right one .
They didn't tell us to take them even if we might not need them to keep
Our levels up .
I came home and after 10 days of not eating and insufficient pain control not under control and no sleep I was a mess .
My cousin walked in and told me to get in the car in my night shift and she took me straight to hospital.
Checked for infection and implant movement then I told them about the lack of pain relief and break through drugs .
As soon as we go that under control I was able to walk
And exercise.
I double my meds level
And added break through drugs . Removed my own dressing and cleaned it .
I can now exercise, walk and do little things around my house .

Get them in and out quickly do more oops in a week . Zero customer care . It's all about nhs funding .
The surgeon stood at the bottom of my bed , didn't say one word to me . Wrote in my notes he'd checked my wound . That was a lie .
I did say , you clearly know who I am my names on my bed , who are you ??? He said I'm your consultant.
So
I asked him why he didn't introduce himself.
I said you are arrogant and rude .
I'd never recommend anyone to go there .
The Nuffield is so much better .