GP surgery in Colchester
Ambrose Avenue Group Practice
76 Ambrose Avenue, Colchester, CO3 4LN
Scores 15 out of 100, poor for a GP surgery in England. 66% of patients say their experience is good and 18% find it easy to get through on the phone (England: 77% and 57%). Inspectors rated it Good in 2025. 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 15
- Easy to get through on the phone1
- Easy to contact online30
- Good experience of getting in touch23
- Did not wait too long for the appointment33
Quality of care 20
- Patients rate the surgery as good14
- Patients got what they needed26
- Doctors and nurses listen4
- Patients trust the staff6
- Inspection rating (Good)50
- Health checks and screening done85
- Meets NHS clinical targets67
- Children vaccinated on time69
What patients say
95 patients answered the 2026 NHS survey about this surgery.
18%
find the phone easy
well below the England average (57%)
66%
say their experience is good
well below the England average (77%)
+12
change since last year
2025: 55% · 2026: 66%
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 | 18% | 57% | 14% |
| Easy to contact via website | 50% | 58% | 29% |
| Easy to contact via NHS App | 39% | 54% | 29% |
| Reception staff helpful | 79% | 85% | 70% |
| Seeing the same person | |||
| Has a preferred clinician | 19% | 31% | 17% |
| Sees preferred clinician | 32% | 42% | 25% |
| What happened when they got in touch | |||
| Knew what would happen next | 83% | 84% | 60% |
| Next steps within 2 days | 88% | 93% | 94% |
| Good experience of contacting | 66% | 73% | 49% |
| The appointment | |||
| Offered a choice of time or day | 40% | 57% | 37% |
| Waiting time was about right | 66% | 69% | 53% |
| Remote appointment | 22% | 26% | 26% |
| The doctor or nurse | |||
| Good at listening | 73% | 87% | 80% |
| Treated with care and concern | 74% | 86% | 79% |
| Considered mental wellbeing | 64% | 75% | 57% |
| Had all the information needed | 86% | 92% | 85% |
| Confidence and trust | 84% | 93% | 88% |
| Involved in decisions | 91% | 92% | 82% |
| Needs were met | 87% | 90% | 80% |
| Overall | |||
| Overall experience good | 66% | 77% | 55% |
| Living with a long-term condition | |||
| Confident managing conditions | 82% | 79% | 76% |
| Supported by local services | 69% | 70% | 47% |
| Discussed managing condition | 30% | 43% | 29% |
| Agreed a care plan | 44% | 46% | 38% |
Green means at least 2 points better than England, red at least 2 points worse. With about 95 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 6:30pm |
| Wednesday | 8am to 6:30pm |
| Thursday | 8am to 6:30pm |
| Friday | 8am to 6:30pm |
| Saturday | Closed |
| Sunday | Closed |
Confirmed by the surgery on 16 July 2025. Bank holidays may differ.
- Address
- 76 Ambrose Avenue, Colchester, CO3 4LN
- Phone
- 01206 549444
- [email protected]
- Website
- www.ambroseavenue.com
- Online
- Book, order repeat prescriptions and see records in the NHS App
- Works with
- Abbey Field PCN (a group of local surgeries that share services)
- NHS code
- F81067 · NHS profile
Branch surgery
Run by this practice from another building. Patients register with the practice, not the branch.
- Ambrose Ave Group Practice Branch Surgery
- Tollgate Health Centre, 145 London Road, Stanway, Colchester, CO3 8NZ
Access and facilities
- Accessible toilets
- Audio-descriptive for appointment announcements
- Baby-changing facilities
- Bariatric equipment: weight support
- Bus stop nearby
- Cycle parking
- Disability awareness and equality training for staff
- Disabled car parking
- Enhanced lighting
- Free NHS WiFi
- Free on-site car parking
- Hearing loop or induction loop: helps to improve sound for hearing aid users
- High-back waiting room chairs
- Lift
Pins show each surgery's score. Get directions
Inspection rating
By the Care Quality Commission, the NHS regulator
The five questions inspectors ask
| Is it safe? | Good |
| Is it effective? | Good |
| Is it caring? | Good |
| Is it responsive? | Good |
| Is it well-led? | Good |
About the patients
NHS records for the people registered here
Common health conditions
| Condition | Here | England |
|---|---|---|
| Hypertension | 16.6% | 15.2% |
| Diabetes | 7.6% | 7.9% |
| Asthma | 8.5% | 6.6% |
| COPD | 1.9% | 1.9% |
| Coronary heart disease | 3.3% | 3.0% |
| Depression | 11.8% | 14.3% |
| Obesity | 12.7% | 13.9% |
| Smoking | 10.7% | 13.5% |
Health checks done
| Check | Here | England |
|---|---|---|
| Cervical screening, women 25-49 | 77% | 67% |
| Cervical screening, women 50-64 | 80% | 75% |
| Blood pressure controlled (hypertension, under 80) | 72% | 68% |
| Blood pressure checked in last 5 years (45+) | 89% | 87% |
| Diabetes: blood pressure on target | 82% | 75% |
| Diabetes: blood sugar (HbA1c) on target | 64% | 57% |
| Diabetes: annual foot check | 90% | 78% |
| Asthma: annual review | 70% | 66% |
Other surgeries nearby
| Surgery | Distance | Score | Easy by phone | Rated good | New patients |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ambrose Avenue Group Practicethis surgery | – | 15 | 18% | 66% | Yes |
| Winstree Medical PracticeColchester, CO3 0PZ | 0.9 miles | 55 | 60% | 76% | Yes |
| Creffield Medical GroupColchester, CO2 7GH | 1.3 miles | 35 | 45% | 74% | Yes |
| Tollgate Health CentreColchester, CO3 8NZ | 1.4 miles | 11 | 39% | 64% | Yes |
| Beacon House MinistriesColchester, CO3 3ES | 1.5 miles | – | – | – | – |
| Abbey Field Medical CentreColchester, CO2 7UW | 1.5 miles | 24 | 45% | 66% | Yes |
| East Hill SurgeryColchester, CO1 2RW | 2.1 miles | 66 | 66% | 83% | Yes |
| Colchester Medical PracticeColchester, CO1 2QS | 2.1 miles | 74 | 77% | 88% | Yes |
| Turner Road SurgeryColchester, CO4 5JR | 2.5 miles | 36 | 60% | 75% | Yes |
| Mill Road SurgeryColchester, CO4 5LE | 2.6 miles | 60 | 50% | 84% | Yes |
Winstree Medical Practice is 0.9 miles away, scores 55 and is taking on new patients. You can usually join any surgery that covers your address.
Common questions
Is Ambrose Avenue Group Practice taking on new patients?
Yes. When we last checked its page on the NHS website (20 September 2026), Ambrose Avenue Group Practice was taking on new patients. You can register online through the NHS website or call the surgery on 01206 549444.
How do patients rate Ambrose Avenue Group Practice?
In the 2026 NHS GP Patient Survey, 66% of patients at Ambrose Avenue Group Practice said their overall experience was good. The England average is 77%. 18% found it easy to get through by phone (England 57%). Its GPScore is 15 out of 100, grade E, which puts it in the bottom 20% of GP surgeries in England.
What is the inspection rating for Ambrose Avenue Group Practice?
The Care Quality Commission, which inspects GP surgeries in England, rated Ambrose Avenue Group Practice as Good at its last published inspection (report published 24 December 2025).
What are the opening times of Ambrose Avenue Group Practice?
Reception is open Monday 8am to 6:30pm, Tuesday 8am to 6:30pm, Wednesday 8am to 6:30pm, Thursday 8am to 6:30pm, Friday 8am to 6:30pm, Saturday closed, Sunday closed. The surgery last confirmed these times on 16 July 2025. Bank holidays may differ.
How do I contact Ambrose Avenue Group Practice?
Call 01206 549444 or visit its website, www.ambroseavenue.com. You can also book and order repeat prescriptions in the NHS App. The address is 76 Ambrose Avenue, Colchester, CO3 4LN.
Does Ambrose Avenue Group Practice have a branch surgery?
Yes. Ambrose Avenue Group Practice also runs Ambrose Ave Group Practice Branch Surgery (Tollgate Health Centre, 145 London Road, Stanway, Colchester, CO3 8NZ). Patients register with the practice and can usually be seen at either site.
How many patients are registered at Ambrose Avenue Group Practice?
Around 14,236 patients are registered (January 2025). The surgery is part of Abbey Field PCN, a group of local surgeries that share staff and services, in the Essex 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.