Katoomba Medical Practice

I've been getting bloodwork done yearly as a precaution because I'm vegan. Dr Jenner refused to order the appropriate bloodwork, arguing that my values couldnt change in a years time. I went and got bloodwork ordered through a different GP and my blood values were in fact off.

Going through the reviews - it's been said many times before, but I'll add my experience as well: awful, awful awful. The reception staff are lovely but the care" ends at the front desk. Dr Jenner especially needs to check her values of care and empathy as a practising physician. I did once get a nice temp doctor there

Given the current dysfunctional state of the medical system in our country I am grateful for this practice. Yes, I wait sometimes but it is because they are giving quality care. And, I receive the same care when it is my turn. Patience is a virtue for patients.

I am taken aback by the negative reviews about this practice. I have been going to Dr Jenner for a number of years and have always found her to be helpful. I am sorry that a number of people have not experienced the care they wished. However, I thought I should add my experience, though I very rarely write reviews for anything. I hope that all people in the Blue Mountains can find a GP in whom they have confidence and who they trust.

Minus 5 star experience with Dr Jenner, who began by berating me for not having a regular gp & not having had tests around my issues done previously. I explained that both were due to having been dismissed in the past. She was mostly interested in the names of other professionals I'd seen and when & seemed exasperated by my inability to remember them, directly after I'd mentioned I have a disability that affects my memory and organisational skills. Then she began to downplay my symptoms & explain things I was already very familiar with, and as time was clearly an issue I offered to potentially save us both some by telling her what I'd like to get out of the visit, which was tests. I deliberately refrained from naming any condition I'm suspecting, as I've found that doctors often have fragile egos attached to drawing their own conclusions, but she must've caught a whiff of my ideas and shut me down saying I'm not going to order a bunch of tests just because you want them" and

Dr Kathryn Gardner has taken care of my family for some years now. She is invariably delightful and so kind. I am so grateful to her. It makes such a difference to have a lovely, caring GP. The reception staff are lovely too.

I have been a patient at the practice for the last 10 years with Dr Rana who is no longer at the practice. I have a very tricky medical history, a history that involved two near death experiences, so I was nervous having a new doctor as Dr Rana knew all the problems. I was directed to Dr Jenner who was the only doctor in the practice who was taking on new patients. Which should have been the first red flag. When I had my first appointment I asked if she was familiar with any of my history, Dr Jenner said she had not read any of my records. 2nd red flag. Dr Jenner advised that she only deals with one item during the consultation, so if you need prescriptions, she will not discuss anything further and you need to make another appointment. 3rd red flag. This is no help if you require something urgently. I was very loyal to this practice, but the last straw was December 2022, where some of my medications where changed to see if I could tolerate them and hopefully help my situation. To say I was not tolerating them would be understatement. I was so unwell over the Christmas holidays, which ruined my Christmas, but my relatives were worried when they saw me. I had to see Dr Jenner to urgently to discuss what the situation was. I was very sick from the medications, so Dr Jenner refused to see me as I was SICK, she did not know why, because she would not come out of her room. Being a doctor means you do come into contact with people who are sick. Where should you go if you are SICK apart from your doctor? 4th red flag. She left it up to the poor receptionists to relay the message. I want to also mention that the other doctors and staff have been great over the years.However, I did request that the practice manager phone me to discuss the matter, but did not receive a phone call from her. This was very poor, as it is her job. 5th red flag. I tried to have my sister sit in my appointments with me, but Dr Jenner would not allow this. I had as many Telehealth appointments as I could, so I did not have to deal with Dr Jenner in person, this made me anxious. Dr Jenner berated me for having a Telehealth appointment instead of a face to face appointment. Why you want to put yourself in that position if you could avoid going to the surgery? Again, this not how it should be.I did however receive a letter by registered post, from the practice manager, stating that “as the doctor patient /relationship had been broken, I should find another doctor and practice to go to”, again I found this very poor, especially after 10 years.I am by no means a shrinking violet, but every time I had dealings with Dr Jenner I would become very anxious two days prior to the appointment, it should not be that way. I have a big problem with my left foot, something a doctor would not see very often (if at all) and refused to look at it. 6th red flag. Dr Jenner said as I had been to a specialist she did not need to see it (you would think she would be interested) I have tried to be as polite as I can, but if you want kindness, empathy, interest or curiosity from your doctor, then Dr Jenner is probably not the doctor for you.I know there is a shortage of doctors especially in the regional areas, but the practice manager should take a look at reviews on your website and see if that is acceptable.

Reception breached my privacy and admitted to 'listening in' on another conversation I was having with a different receptionist. I was not informed the call would be recorded or listened to. Further to this I was accused of lying.Receptionist staff are very abrupt and don't treat patients with dignity or respect. Since my doctor has left the practice I have tried getting my medical records. This has been a difficult process and the staff have made it difficult to obtain my records and did not send through the requested forms to have these released. I am still to have my records released.When I asked to make a complaint I was directed to write to the 'Practice Manager' but was not given a name. Considering there was already a breach of my privacy I have no confidence that my complaint would go to the appropriate person and receive confidentiality.I will be taking this matter further as this is the third incident I have encountered with this practice, receptionist staff and doctor where I was treated with disrespect and had my privacy breached.Avoid this practice.

Sorry to hear such negative reviews my experience has been very positive from the receptionists to care give from doctor Ireland yes you many have to wait a while but it is understandable when there is a shortage of GPS in Katoomba

Dr Kathryn Jenner is rude, abrasive and nasty - and reading the reviews, I can see I'm not alone in forming this opinion. I have had several very unpleasant encounters with this woman and have now sworn off seeing her or attending the practice again.Avoid this practice (where most of the reception staff are also rude and dismissive) at all costs if you want to be treated respectfully and care about your health.