Irvine Pediatrics

I am a mother of a 15 month old and also an RN. I have been going to Dr Downes since my baby was born. She is a great MD and does spend time with you to talk about your questions and concerns. The doc's and nurse's are busy (as I understand), but are very professional and efficient. It's more important to me that they keep on schedule, rather than be friendly and chatting away with people. I have found that my appt is usually right on time or a very short wait. I have been very impressed with the nurse's and I am amazed at how quickly they give shots! Also, last visit we saw Dr Liss (who I think is new to the office) and she was great. Would definitely recommend her. On the flip side, the office staff is usually rude and makes you feel as if you are bothering them. My worst experience occurred when the baby was an infant. I was in the waiting room and needed to breast feed. I asked the girl at the window if there was somewhere I could use for privacy and she said no and seemed bothered as usual. So I breast-fed in the waiting room which was fine, but uncomfortable. When walking to our room, I noticed an unused room with a couch. Oh well... Pros: sick and well child entrances, short wait times. Cons: office staff more

We have had a Dr in Irvine pediatrics since our son is born. It's been 10 months now, and we are very disappointed. Here are all the reasons in order of importance: 1) The doctors are absolutely unavailable on the phone 2) If you try to get a nurse over the phone, you have to leave a voicemail or a message to the receptionist (when you are lucky enough to catch one), and you are supposed to get a phone call within 2 to 6 hours. Several times, we never got a call back at all. Quite problematic when your first baby has 102 fever, and you have no one to help. 3) Staff is extremely rude. You definitely feel inferior when going in this office. From the time you arrive at the window, to the nurse taking you to the room, and when you leave, you are treated like livestock. 4) Beware when you get shots. In our last appointment, the nurse messed up in the shots, and our baby end up with one he wasn't supposed to get before much later. 5) Time in the waiting room... then in the dr room... better bring a thick book, and plenty of toys for your child... you're going to wait ! 6) The Dr: she's is okay, we are definitely not impressed. more

I have been with Irvine Pediatrics for over 5 years. There doctors are excellent. There staff is busy but they are nice. They have never been rude to me. I have read some of the reviews on City Search and I dont think they are fair. First of all, if you are going in to a walk in because your child is sick then be prepared to wait because its busy--especially after the weekend. But the wait is no longer than any other doctors office I have been to. Pros: This is an awesome office Cons: You have to wait sometimes more

This is one of the worst clinics I have ever visited in my life. Apart from Dr. Winkler being a very nice person. The clinic staff is terrible. Very unprofessional and extremely rude. Doctors are always in a hurry during the check and most of the time give inaccurate information. They do not spend enough time with patients. Although this seems a frequent complain, I still don?t understand why the Medical Board of California hasn?t done any further investigation about that office. I personally plan to escalate my concern to the highest level possible. I strongly recommend moms to save their money and anger and find a different office for their kids. more

I made an appointment about 8 months in advance for my eleven year old daughter's yearly physical. I rushed out of work and picked up my daughter making sure I would not be late for my appointment. After showing up on the 8th floor (as their address states) and starting to sign in, one of the front desk staff abruptly informed me that my appointment wasn't ""even in this office"" and told me to go to the 5th floor. The staff on the 5th floor was also less than friendly. Pros: Location, Dr. Baron Cons: Wait times, rude staff, rushed doctor more

The Doctors are good, however, the office staff is very difficult to deal with. I have been going here for over 6 years... and now looking for another pediatrician. I was trying to get records for my youngest to be enrolled in pre-school. I faxed over the request (per their automated systems instructions) with all my information and to contact me with any questions or problems with a fax number to send it back to. I left 3 messages asking the records department to call and confirm that it was received - since school is starting and I am on a deadline. I never heard anything back so I called the office and asked to speak to a live person in records. When I got through, the guy acted like I called him at home in the middle of dinner. He advised me that they don't fax over the forms that I have to pick it up or have it mailed. I would never have know this had I not asked to speak to someone directly. The automated phone system says records would be completed in 5-7 business days and when I called it was the 6th day. He seemed apalled that I thought it might already be done. Bottom line - my son will not start school on time. Pros: Physicians Cons: Office Staff more

We have been in this office 3 times and every time we had to wait between 45 min to 1 hour. Last time when the doctor came in she didn't introduce herself and didn't even apologize for the delay and went on straigt to ""what is wrong with your baby"" without any emotion. Once the doctor comes in she appears to be in a hurry and does not spend enough time. Most of the staff are rude. They forgot to stamp the immunization card and I had to go back and again and once more she missed one of the entries and I had to go back again. They are not friendly and not professional. Their billing is terrible. They cashed my check on the day of service and still sent me a bill showing late payment for 3 months. I had to call 3 times to clear the issue with them. We gave this pediatric group 3 chances and we have had enough. We are switching to another office. Pros: Close Cons: The wait is very long and they are very rude. more

I totally agree with the previous poster - the staff at Irvine Pediatrics are so rude and borderline incompetent. During out last visit, we waited our usual 45 minutes for our doctor (they trick you by calling your name quickly and then make you wait a year in the exam room!!) My baby girl had to have a test done and the nurse brings the syringe and cotton on a tray that had dried biological matter on it (apparently, citysearch won't let me use the word but it's a red liquid!!) When I pointed it out, the nurse goes and rinses the tray in the sink - is that how you are supposed to clean bloody instruments, with soap and water in the sink?!! This is Irvine, CA, not a third world country! Pros: Dr. Downes is good. Cons: Everyone else, especially the staff, is horrible. more

My son to Irvine Pediatrics and we just had enough of their nurses and staff. The wait is very long and they are very rude. We switched to a new pediatrician and it's much better now. Pros: Close in proximity Cons: Rude staff, not enough time with the doctor more

I've been taking my 3 children to Irvine peds for 3 years. Only few doctors know what they are doing and rest are just there to cover. The front desk/staff on the 5th floor are very hostile. They don't greet you when you walk in and give you bad attitude. When I asked them a question, Levern (she answers calls on the 5th floor) brushes you off very rudely. I always end up leaving the office feeling terrible. Wait time is usually 45 min to 2 hrs and spend 3 minutes with the doctor. The office staff socialize among each other and not tend to patient's needs. One time one of tech (think her name was Alicia) almost gave wrong shots for my 6months old son. If you plan on choosing this place as your pediatrician, be ready for rude staff and always double check the shots they give your child. Addition to this, the tech who almost gave the wrong shot to my 6 months old was smoking in the parking lot and between breaks. As you may know, third hand smoke, the smoke that is left on the hair and clothing can penetrate to infants skin. I'm so glad I found more caring pediatrician. It was well worth it! Pros: they have sick and well entrance Cons: uncaring staff, unorganized more

We moved from San Francisco when my daughter was 10. She had had a pediatrician she loved, and I was worried about finding her a really good one inO.C....particularly at the start of puberty! Dr. Downes has been terrific...we all love her. Great personality, caring, and common sense....a most uncommon commodity. more