GP surgery in Bishop Auckland

Auckland Medical Group

The Old Fire House, Watling Road, Bishop Auckland, DL14 6RP

Taking on new patientsInspection: Good15,904 patients

Scores 72 out of 100, good for a GP surgery in England. 88% of patients say their experience is good and 70% find it easy to get through on the phone (England: 77% and 57%). Inspectors rated it Good in 2018. It is taking on new patients.

Good Scores higher than 72% of GP surgeries in England. 2nd of 3 in Bishop Auckland Based on 109 patient survey replies, the inspection rating and NHS records.

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 62

  • Easy to get through on the phone66
  • Easy to contact online11
  • Good experience of getting in touch58
  • Did not wait too long for the appointment71

Quality of care 82

  • Patients rate the surgery as good80
  • Patients got what they needed59
  • Doctors and nurses listen74
  • Patients trust the staff73
  • Inspection rating (Good)50
  • Health checks and screening done63
  • Meets NHS clinical targets93
  • Children vaccinated on time84

What patients say

109 patients answered the 2026 NHS survey about this surgery.

70%

find the phone easy

well above the England average (57%)

88%

say their experience is good

well above the England average (77%)

+13

change since last year

2025: 75% · 2026: 88%

Getting in touch

Contacted the surgery by phone87%
Had their call answered straight away17%
Gave up or got no answer0%
Knew what would happen next straight away60%

The appointment

Were seen the same day43%
Waited more than a week30%
Were seen face to face71%
Saw a GP (rather than a nurse or other staff)39%
All survey questions, compared with England
What patients saidThis surgeryEnglandLast year
Getting in touch
Easy to get through by phone 70% 57% 63%
Easy to contact via website 38% 58% 34%
Easy to contact via NHS App 68% 54% 51%
Reception staff helpful 91% 85% 86%
Seeing the same person
Has a preferred clinician 24% 31% 19%
Sees preferred clinician 27% 42% 24%
What happened when they got in touch
Knew what would happen next 85% 84% 76%
Next steps within 2 days 97% 93% 96%
Good experience of contacting 78% 73% 71%
The appointment
Offered a choice of time or day 60% 57% 43%
Waiting time was about right 78% 69% 67%
Remote appointment 29% 26% 31%
The doctor or nurse
Good at listening 92% 87% 81%
Treated with care and concern 94% 86% 82%
Considered mental wellbeing 88% 75% 68%
Had all the information needed 93% 92% 92%
Confidence and trust 96% 93% 85%
Involved in decisions 97% 92% 88%
Needs were met 92% 90% 82%
Overall
Overall experience good 88% 77% 74%
Living with a long-term condition
Confident managing conditions 80% 79% 75%
Supported by local services 77% 70% 73%
Discussed managing condition 49% 43% 36%
Agreed a care plan 24% 46% 38%

Green means at least 2 points better than England, red at least 2 points worse. With about 109 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.

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1 of 10Last time you needed a routine appointment, how long did you wait?

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Opening times and contact

Monday8am to 6pm
Tuesday8am to 6pm
Wednesday8am to 6pm
Thursday8am to 6pm
Friday8am to 6pm
SaturdayClosed
SundayClosed

Confirmed by the surgery on 18 November 2025. Bank holidays may differ.

Address
The Old Fire House, Watling Road, Bishop Auckland, DL14 6RP
Phone
01388 602728
Website
www.aucklandmedicalgroup.co.uk
Online
Book, order repeat prescriptions and see records in the NHS App
Works with
Bishop Auckland PCN (a group of local surgeries that share services)
NHS code
A83021 · NHS profile

Branch surgeries

Run by this practice from another building. Patients register with the practice, not the branch.

St Helens, Auckland
The Surgery, 16 Manor Road, St Helens Auckland, Bishop Auckland, DL14 9EP · 01388 604163
Toft Hill
The Surgery, 51 Toft Hill, Bishop Auckland, DL14 0JA · 01388 834843

Access and facilities

  • Disabled toilet
  • Step-free access
  • Wheelchair access
  • Car parking

Pins show each surgery's score. Get directions

Inspection rating

By the Care Quality Commission, the NHS regulator

Good

overall, from the inspection published 24 October 2018

This rating is 7 years old. The CQC has not published a newer inspection.

Read the inspection report

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

15,904registered patients
Among the pooresthow well off the local area is
80.4years life expectancy locally (England 83.0)

Common health conditions

ConditionHereEngland
Hypertension18.9%15.2%
Diabetes11.3%7.9%
Asthma8.6%6.6%
COPD4.2%1.9%
Coronary heart disease3.9%3.0%
Depression20.2%14.3%
Obesity19.3%13.9%
Smoking15.5%13.5%

Health checks done

CheckHereEngland
Cervical screening, women 25-4976%67%
Cervical screening, women 50-6478%75%
Blood pressure controlled (hypertension, under 80)72%68%
Blood pressure checked in last 5 years (45+)92%87%
Diabetes: blood pressure on target77%75%
Diabetes: blood sugar (HbA1c) on target58%57%
Diabetes: annual foot check80%78%
Asthma: annual review62%66%
SurgeryDistanceScoreEasy by phoneRated goodNew patients
Auckland Medical Groupthis surgery7270%88%Yes
Station View Medical CentreBishop Auckland, DL14 6AB0.6 miles6466%83%Yes
Bishopgate Medical CentreBishop Auckland, DL14 7EJ0.8 miles8865%91%Yes
Hallgarth SurgeryShildon, DL4 2HP1.7 miles7077%76%Yes
Evenwood Medical PracticeBishop Auckland, DL14 9SU3.7 miles9791%93%Yes
Jubilee Medical GroupNewton Aycliffe, DL5 4SE4.1 miles3258%81%Yes
Willington Medical GroupCrook, DL15 0EQ4.3 miles6971%87%Yes
Pease Way Medical CentreNewton Aycliffe, DL5 5NH4.6 miles1653%65%Yes
Bewick Crescent SurgeryNewton Aycliffe, DL5 5LH4.8 miles4356%81%Yes
Bishops Close Medical PracticeSpennymoor, DL16 6ED4.8 miles6171%82%Yes

Bishopgate Medical Centre is 0.8 miles away, scores 88 and is taking on new patients. You can usually join any surgery that covers your address.

Common questions

Is Auckland Medical Group taking on new patients?

Yes. When we last checked its page on the NHS website (20 September 2026), Auckland Medical Group was taking on new patients. You can register online through the NHS website or call the surgery on 01388 602728.

How do patients rate Auckland Medical Group?

In the 2026 NHS GP Patient Survey, 88% of patients at Auckland Medical Group said their overall experience was good. The England average is 77%. 70% found it easy to get through by phone (England 57%). Its GPScore is 72 out of 100, grade B, which puts it in the second-best 20% of GP surgeries in England.

What is the inspection rating for Auckland Medical Group?

The Care Quality Commission, which inspects GP surgeries in England, rated Auckland Medical Group as Good at its last published inspection (report published 24 October 2018).

What are the opening times of Auckland Medical Group?

Reception is open Monday 8am to 6pm, Tuesday 8am to 6pm, Wednesday 8am to 6pm, Thursday 8am to 6pm, Friday 8am to 6pm, Saturday closed, Sunday closed. The surgery last confirmed these times on 18 November 2025. Bank holidays may differ.

How do I contact Auckland Medical Group?

Call 01388 602728 or visit its website, www.aucklandmedicalgroup.co.uk. You can also book and order repeat prescriptions in the NHS App. The address is The Old Fire House, Watling Road, Bishop Auckland, DL14 6RP.

Does Auckland Medical Group have a branch surgery?

Yes. Auckland Medical Group also runs St Helens, Auckland (The Surgery, 16 Manor Road, St Helens Auckland, Bishop Auckland, DL14 9EP) and Toft Hill (The Surgery, 51 Toft Hill, Bishop Auckland, DL14 0JA). Patients register with the practice and can usually be seen at either site.

How many patients are registered at Auckland Medical Group?

Around 15,904 patients are registered (January 2025). The surgery is part of Bishop Auckland 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.