GP surgery in Westmorland and Furness
Alston Medical Practice
Church Road, Alston, CA9 3QU
Scores 95 out of 100, excellent for a GP surgery in England. 89% of patients say their experience is good and 99% find it easy to get through on the phone (England: 77% and 57%). Inspectors rated it Outstanding in 2016. It is taking on new patients.
How the score breaks down
Each line is a score out of 100. The England average is 50 and higher is better. How it works
Getting an appointment 98
- Easy to get through on the phone100
- Easy to contact online100
- Good experience of getting in touch94
- Did not wait too long for the appointment94
Quality of care 84
- Patients rate the surgery as good85
- Patients got what they needed33
- Doctors and nurses listen68
- Patients trust the staff32
- Inspection rating (Outstanding)98
- Health checks and screening done90
- Meets NHS clinical targets70
- Children vaccinated on time87
What patients say
111 patients answered the 2026 NHS survey about this surgery.
99%
find the phone easy
well above the England average (57%)
89%
say their experience is good
well above the England average (77%)
-2
change since last year
2025: 91% · 2026: 89%
Getting in touch
The appointment
All survey questions, compared with England
| What patients said | This surgery | England | Last year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Getting in touch | |||
| Easy to get through by phone | 99% | 57% | 98% |
| Easy to contact via website | 94% | 58% | 91% |
| Easy to contact via NHS App | 92% | 54% | 90% |
| Reception staff helpful | 92% | 85% | 99% |
| Seeing the same person | |||
| Has a preferred clinician | 48% | 31% | 31% |
| Sees preferred clinician | 74% | 42% | 60% |
| What happened when they got in touch | |||
| Knew what would happen next | 94% | 84% | 98% |
| Next steps within 2 days | 100% | 93% | 99% |
| Good experience of contacting | 92% | 73% | 97% |
| The appointment | |||
| Offered a choice of time or day | 90% | 57% | 99% |
| Waiting time was about right | 90% | 69% | 98% |
| Remote appointment | 11% | 26% | 21% |
| The doctor or nurse | |||
| Good at listening | 91% | 87% | 93% |
| Treated with care and concern | 91% | 86% | 93% |
| Considered mental wellbeing | 86% | 75% | 85% |
| Had all the information needed | 90% | 92% | 96% |
| Confidence and trust | 91% | 93% | 96% |
| Involved in decisions | 91% | 92% | 97% |
| Needs were met | 89% | 90% | 96% |
| Overall | |||
| Overall experience good | 89% | 77% | 91% |
| Living with a long-term condition | |||
| Confident managing conditions | 66% | 79% | 95% |
| Supported by local services | 64% | 70% | 80% |
| Discussed managing condition | 46% | 43% | 68% |
| Agreed a care plan | 57% | 46% | 56% |
Green means at least 2 points better than England, red at least 2 points worse. With about 111 replies, a gap of a few points may just be chance.
What patients tell us
From people who use this surgery. Official data cannot tell you these things.
Tell us about this surgery
10 quick questions, one tap each, no sign-up. Your answers help the next person choosing a GP.
1 of 10Last time you needed a routine appointment, how long did you wait?
2 of 10When you last phoned, how long did it take to get through?
3 of 10How did you book your last appointment?
4 of 10Can you usually see the same GP?
5 of 10Was your last appointment on time?
6 of 10Are the reception staff helpful?
7 of 10Did the doctor or nurse listen to you?
8 of 10How easy is it to get a repeat prescription?
9 of 10Is parking easy?
10 of 10Would you recommend this surgery?
Thank you. Your answers are counted.
Reviews
No reviews yet. If you use this surgery, say what it is like.
Write a review
Opening times and contact
| Monday | 8am to 6:30pm |
| Tuesday | 8am to 5pm |
| Wednesday | 8am to 6:30pm |
| Thursday | 8am to 5pm |
| Friday | 8am to 6:30pm |
| Saturday | Closed |
| Sunday | Closed |
Confirmed by the surgery on 24 December 2024. Bank holidays may differ.
- Address
- Church Road, Alston, CA9 3QU
- Phone
- 01434 381214
- [email protected]
- Website
- www.alstonmedicalpractice.co.uk
- Online
- Book, order repeat prescriptions and see records in the NHS App
- Works with
- Eden (Cumbria) PCN (a group of local surgeries that share services)
- NHS code
- A82004 · NHS profile
Access and facilities
- Braille translation service
- Disabled parking
- Disabled toilet
- Induction loop
- Signing service
- Step-free access
- Text relay
- Wheelchair access
- Baby changing facility
- Baby changing facility
- Car parking
- Cycle parking
- Disabled parking
Pins show each surgery's score. Get directions
Inspection rating
By the Care Quality Commission, the NHS regulator
Outstanding
overall, from the inspection published 18 February 2016
This rating is 10 years old. The CQC has not published a newer inspection.
The five questions inspectors ask
| Is it safe? | Good |
| Is it effective? | Good |
| Is it caring? | Outstanding |
| Is it responsive? | Outstanding |
| Is it well-led? | Good |
About the patients
NHS records for the people registered here
Common health conditions
| Condition | Here | England |
|---|---|---|
| Hypertension | 23.8% | 15.2% |
| Diabetes | 8.8% | 7.9% |
| Asthma | 7.6% | 6.6% |
| COPD | 3.3% | 1.9% |
| Coronary heart disease | 3.8% | 3.0% |
| Depression | 17.2% | 14.3% |
| Obesity | 22.6% | 13.9% |
| Smoking | 14.5% | 13.5% |
Health checks done
| Check | Here | England |
|---|---|---|
| Cervical screening, women 25-49 | 76% | 67% |
| Cervical screening, women 50-64 | 73% | 75% |
| Blood pressure controlled (hypertension, under 80) | 77% | 68% |
| Blood pressure checked in last 5 years (45+) | 95% | 87% |
| Diabetes: blood pressure on target | 80% | 75% |
| Diabetes: blood sugar (HbA1c) on target | 71% | 57% |
| Diabetes: annual foot check | 90% | 78% |
| Asthma: annual review | 74% | 66% |
Other surgeries nearby
| Surgery | Distance | Score | Easy by phone | Rated good | New patients |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alston Medical Practicethis surgery | – | 95 | 99% | 89% | Yes |
| Kirkoswald SurgeryPenrith, CA10 1DQ | 10.6 miles | 96 | 88% | 87% | Yes |
| Haltwhistle Medical GroupHaltwhistle, NE49 9AP | 11.1 miles | 79 | 81% | 93% | Yes |
| Npc Haydon Bridge & AllendaleHexham, NE47 6LA | 13.7 miles | 81 | 85% | 91% | Yes |
| Temple Sowerby Medical PracticePenrith, CA10 1RW | 13.7 miles | 80 | 74% | 83% | Yes |
| Brampton Medical PracticeBrampton, CA8 1NL | 14.8 miles | 35 | 48% | 76% | Yes |
| Court Thorn SurgeryCarlisle, CA4 0HP | 15.4 miles | 77 | 74% | 83% | Yes |
| Birbeck Medical GroupPenrith, CA11 8HW | 16.1 miles | 54 | 62% | 82% | Yes |
| The Lakes Medical PracticePenrith, CA11 8HW | 16.1 miles | 83 | 65% | 83% | Yes |
| The Sele Medical PracticeHexham, NE46 1QJ | 17.6 miles | 96 | 91% | 93% | Yes |
Common questions
Is Alston Medical Practice taking on new patients?
Yes. When we last checked its page on the NHS website (20 September 2026), Alston Medical Practice was taking on new patients. You can register online through the NHS website or call the surgery on 01434 381214.
How do patients rate Alston Medical Practice?
In the 2026 NHS GP Patient Survey, 89% of patients at Alston Medical Practice said their overall experience was good. The England average is 77%. 99% found it easy to get through by phone (England 57%). Its GPScore is 95 out of 100, grade A, which puts it in the top 20% of GP surgeries in England.
What is the inspection rating for Alston Medical Practice?
The Care Quality Commission, which inspects GP surgeries in England, rated Alston Medical Practice as Outstanding at its last published inspection (report published 18 February 2016).
What are the opening times of Alston Medical Practice?
Reception is open Monday 8am to 6:30pm, Tuesday 8am to 5pm, Wednesday 8am to 6:30pm, Thursday 8am to 5pm, Friday 8am to 6:30pm, Saturday closed, Sunday closed. The surgery last confirmed these times on 24 December 2024. Bank holidays may differ.
How do I contact Alston Medical Practice?
Call 01434 381214 or visit its website, www.alstonmedicalpractice.co.uk. You can also book and order repeat prescriptions in the NHS App. The address is Church Road, Alston, CA9 3QU.
How many patients are registered at Alston Medical Practice?
Around 2,202 patients are registered (January 2025). The surgery is part of Eden (Cumbria) PCN, a group of local surgeries that share staff and services, in the North East and North Cumbria NHS area.
Where this comes from: the 2026 NHS GP Patient Survey, Care Quality Commission ratings, NHS records of patients, conditions, checks and vaccinations (published through OHID Fingertips), and this surgery's page on the NHS website (checked 20 September 2026). Read how the score is worked out. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.