North County Health Services Encinitas

This is my new primary care facility. Not by choice. When I entered, three staff members were at the front desk. They continued their conversation as if I wasn’t there. While I could tell it was not gossip, the convo was regarding non-​urgent administrative details, and imho did not warrant ignoring me completely for several minutes.
Why this irks me: I make a serious effort to arrive on time, in order to avoid inconveniencing the staff and other patients. Staff demonstrated that they do not hold my time in the same high regard.
My appointment was for 1:15. I arrived promptly but was not seen by the nurse until after two. Also, while other staff politely knocked on the door before entering the exam room, the nurse did not, which seemed inappropriate.
I have a chronic pain condition. I was not instructed to bring my medications to the appointment, but upon arriving I was told that I should have brought them. Another major inconvenience, requiring another trip back and forth to Encinitas from Del Mar. I wondered why they couldn’t just pull my meds list from my previous doctor, since they had me sign a release for my medical records.
Also, I had been told by my previous doctor that a drug test legally requires signed permission (informed consent) from the patient. The tech at this facility merely told me they wanted a urine sample. I asked why. The tech went away to ask… came back and told me it was for a drug screen. So if I hadn’t asked, I would not have been informed of the drug test.
The nurse practitioner seemed very knowledgeable and took time to discuss my medications and her proposed changes, which were considerable. Although I understood her reasoning, the massive changes made me insecure, disoriented and defensive.
The entire clinic was clean and apparently well-​staffed. But I didn’t exit the building until almost three pm… with instructions to return with all my current meds before I would receive any of my new prescriptions. Seems they have little regard for my time or my immediate needs, and little respect for me or my previous doctor.
I had confidence in my previous physician, and I know he respected and trusted me as well. It’s a known fact that the doctor-​patient relationship plays a huge role in a patient’s prognosis. This facility displayed no confidence in my previous provider, while making it clear that they didn’t trust me, either. Not a good start for an ongoing relationship.

Fantastic Staff! Busy office since they accept medi-​cal insurance and all those insurances that fall under the obama-​care Covered CA umbrella as well as all other insurances. Although extremely busy most of the time, the staff always remains calm, friendly and professional and happy to help and answer questions. Wait time is anywhere from10−20 minutes. Dr. D’Souza is my doctor. She takes time to listen and refer you to a specialist if that is the case. Great lab work done right in the office. It does take a few days to get lab results which is standard.
Overall I am very pleased with this location and staff they all seem to enjoy their work and care about what they do. I would not go anywhere else =) I highly recommend!

Horrible. Called for my first appointment to get a referral for a dermatologist and they could not even give me an appointment in the next 6 weeks to get a referral. Do not bother with this Dr office. They have horrendous people skills.

Dr. Lydia should not be a doctor. She is rude, she’s always in a rush, I can’t eve ask a question without her getting bothered, and making me feel stupid. She does not care about her patients & I don’t recommend this place to anyone. The other Doctors are nice & staff are friendly, but definitely not Dr. Lydia. She needs to get fired!!!

Love this office my children’s doctor was originally at the Oceanside location but moved to Encinitas all of the doctors here are wonderful even when we can’t see their regular doctor we are treated very well both of my children have autism and the doctors and staff here are very calming and understanding of how to treat them I can’t say enough about this place would recommend to everyone!!!

Wonderful, helpful, patient, caring staff! Dr. D’Souza is the best! She is thorough and efficient. She’s upbeat and interested in your personally. The appointments can run a little later than scheduled but when does that not happen at any doctor’s office. I like that all my concerns can be addressed at the same time. I’ve had referrals to other doctors for specific conditions and all have worked out well.
I recommend NCHS for anyone who is needing routine exams and who does not currently have a private doctor.

I was very disappointed with my first visit. The front desk staff and nurses were very friendly and helpful. When the Doctor came in to the exam room, she rushed through my medical history questions, and questioned every answer that i gave her about vaccinations. I felt as if the only thing she was willing to do during my visit was load me up with shots. She asked what the reason for my visit, I said that I hadn’t been to a doctor in over 6 years. She gave me a referral to a dermatologist, barely did a physical exam, and kept answering the door when there were several knocks. Then she rushed out of the room without even a goodbye. The nurse in the room said that my appointment was done. I explained that i had a few more things I wanted to go over with the Doctor. He checked with the Doctor, who said that I would need to schedule another appointment to ask any more questions. I was shocked by this. I had already waited 3 weeks for this appointment and was given about 10 minutes with a doctor. I did not feel that the doctor cared about my health whatsoever. Very Very disappointing visit.

I have been to LOTS of doctors this past year, due to a back injury. I am unfortunately becoming an expert on what makes a great doctor vs. a terrible one. Fortunately today, I met with a great one.
Dawn Turner is a PA (or NP) at NCHS. I had the pleasure of meeting with her yesterday to get setup with NCHS. She took the time to really listen to all my issues. I explained how disappointed I have been in my search for a new primary and the lack of caring thus far. Once I laid out all my issues, she set me up with physical therapy, x-​rays, an MRI and the anti-​inflammatory that I take regularly. Wow! Up until now, I’ve had to deal with worker’s comp docs who clearly didn’t give a crap or local primary docs that wanted to give me the least amount of treatment possible and get me out the door (Thomas Watson M.D.).
Thank you so much Dawn and NCHS for restoring my faith in doctors and the system. I think I have finally found my new primary.

Nice receptionists. Courteous, helpful Nurse who answered all my questions about the referral process. Saw M. D’s in earlier visits & both of them were great. This time, saw Nurse practitioner & she was terrific. Can’t say enough good things about this place. Highly recommend!

Third time here today and the place is great. The wait is quick, the nurses and doctors are nice, no one rushes you in or out. I’m lucky to be about to come here with my Molina insurance and have an easy in and out visit. I get all my questions answered each time and feel good coming back. Thanks!

So thankful for this place. When I was working part-​time at a restaurant, I had such a low income and no health insurance. I was still able to see a doctor and take care of my health, thanks to NCHS.
They have you fill out extensive paperwork on your income and have you show proof of income (I brought my most recent pay stub). The cost of my visit and lab tests were covered because of my low income and uninsured status.
I understand what other reviewers are saying about the service. The front desk staff does seem busy and sometimes preoccupied or harried, but I still appreciate the work that they do here to assist low income and uninsured people like me.
My interaction with the doctor was wonderful. She was caring, thorough and took her time. She didn’t seem like she was trying to rush and get me in and out of the office, which I have actually felt with my previous doctor at another medical office when I did have insurance and was paying them a ton of money.

I think one of the hiring requirements for this office is to be patronizing to patients. I should have known when I tried to make my first appointment and the person on the phone got mad at me for not calling the «right» number. Apparently if you want a appointment at the Encinitas office you have to call elsewhere, but only if you’re a first time patient.
The nurses treat you like you’re putting them out and the front office treats you like a child, giggling and smirking at you if you ask questions. It’s too bad too, because the midwives and the doctors are really nice. This place is run with all the red tape of a government office. I literally left my last appointment in tears.

The doctors and nurses at this location are kind and knowledgeable, but I believe that they are understaffed.
The customer service is very poor. Average wait time to make an appointment over the phone is approximately 1 hour. Average wait time to speak with a nurse regarding pediatric questions is over 1 hour. Approximately 50% of my voicemails for the nursing staff have been returned. The front desk staff are very busy and, as a result, often curt with the patients.
While I like the clinic and health professionals, this location severely lacks in customer service, making me wish we could go elsewhere for pediatric care.
Update: 17 Oct 2014
I have called the billing office no less than 5 times regarding a billing issue. I have left messages detailing my issue and providing a call back number. They have not responded or handled the issue. This office is poorly run. The billing office is poorly run. I recommend going anywhere else for healthcare. I will be filing a complaint with the Better Business Bureau and the American Academy of Pediatrics.

For a clinic this place is clean and run well. Thumbs ups to Deana, who believe it or not give the most painless flu shots I have ever experienced.