Patient Survey reveals Mid Cheshire's best and worst GP surgeries

The results of the GP Patient Survey have been published, showing what people think of doctor's surgeries in Northwich, Middlewich and Winsford.

In total, 4,732 questionnaires were sent out to patients across the three towns, with 1,524 coming back completed, a response rate of about 32 per cent.

The survey measures patients’ experiences across a range of topics, including contacting their practice, making appointments, waiting times, and online services.

However, NHS England says these results are not comparable with previous years as the questionnaire has been updated and the methodology of the survey changed to an ‘online first’ approach in a bid to improve response rates and reduce costs. 

Oaklands Medical Centre, on St Anns Walk in Middlewich, was named the best in the region, with 92 per cent of patients describing their 'overall experience' of the GP practice as 'good'.

Oaklands Medical Centre, on St Anns Walk in Middlewich, is the top-rated GP surgery (Image: Google Maps)

At the other end of the scale, Weaverham Surgery is the worst rated, with a 65 per cent overall approval rating.

The national approval rating across England for 2024 is 73.91 per cent.

Eleven of the 14 surgeries in Mid Cheshire were rated above this

Dr Jonathan Griffiths, a GP in Winsford and NHS Cheshire and Merseyside’s associate medical director for primary care, said: “These annual patient survey results show that more Cheshire and Merseyside residents are getting the care they need, when they need it, thanks to the commitment of our teams delivering primary care services.

“Our GPs, dentists, pharmacists and optometrists are all working incredibly hard to deliver on a number of pledges made in the publication of the Primary Care Access Recovery Plan and our Dental Recovery Plan, and more recently, the introduction of Pharmacy First is helping to free up more capacity in the system than ever before.

“While these are all significant steps forward, we know there is more to do. The survey shows that people's experiences vary, which is why we’re committed to continuing to work with primary care to modernise and improve services across Cheshire and Merseyside."

The Weaverham Surgery on Northwich Road is the lowest-rated practice (Image: Google Maps)

Ranking of Mid Cheshire* GPs by 'overall experience' 

1. Oaklands, Middlewich Medical Centre, St.Ann’s Walk, Middlewich, CW10 9BE - 92 per cent

2. The Weaver Vale Surgery, Dene Drive Pc Centre, Winsford, CW7 1AT – 89 per cent

3. Launceston Close Surgery, 9-10 Launceston Close, Winsford, CW7 1LY - 86 per cent

4. Witton Street Surgery, 162 Witton Street, Northwich, CW9 5QU - 85 per cent

5. Middlewich Road Surgery, 163 Middlewich Road, Northwich, CW9 7DB - 80 per cent

= Firdale Medical Centre, Firdale Road, Northwich, CW8 4AZ - 80 per cent

7. High Street Practice Winsford, Dene Drive Pc Centre, Winsford, CW7 1AT - 79 per cent

8. Willow Wood Surgery, Wharton Phc, Crook Lane, Wharton., CW7 3GY - 78 per cent

9. Swanlow Medical Centre, Dene Drive Pc Centre, Winsford, CW7 1AT - 76 per cent

= Waters Edge Medical Centre, 10-12 Leadsmithy Street, Middlewich, CW10 9BH - 76 per cent

11. Danebridge Medical Centre, London Road, Northwich, CW9 5HR - 75 per cent

12. Oakwood Medical Centre, Broadway, Barton, Northwich, CW8 4LF - 73 per cent

13. Watling Street Surgery, 2 Watling Street, Northwich, CW9 5EX - 70 per cent

14. The Weaverham Surgery, Northwich Road, Weaverham, CW8 3EU - 65 per cent

*CW7, CW8, CW9 & CW10