GP surgery in Northumberland

Bellingham Practice

Health Centre, Bellingham, Hexham, NE48 2HE

Taking on new patientsInspection: Outstanding3,424 patients

Scores 97 out of 100, excellent for a GP surgery in England. 90% of patients say their experience is good and 95% find it easy to get through on the phone (England: 77% and 57%). Inspectors rated it Outstanding in 2019. It is taking on new patients.

Excellent Scores higher than 97% of GP surgeries in England. 6th of 28 in Northumberland Based on 113 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 99

  • Easy to get through on the phone98
  • Easy to contact online92
  • Good experience of getting in touch98
  • Did not wait too long for the appointment96

Quality of care 92

  • Patients rate the surgery as good87
  • Patients got what they needed65
  • Doctors and nurses listen80
  • Patients trust the staff64
  • Inspection rating (Outstanding)98
  • Health checks and screening done66
  • Meets NHS clinical targets66
  • Children vaccinated on time62

What patients say

113 patients answered the 2026 NHS survey about this surgery.

94%

find the phone easy

well above the England average (57%)

90%

say their experience is good

well above the England average (77%)

-3

change since last year

2025: 94% · 2026: 90%

Getting in touch

Contacted the surgery by phone84%
Had their call answered straight away56%
Gave up or got no answer1%
Knew what would happen next straight away54%

The appointment

Were seen the same day29%
Waited more than a week18%
Were seen face to face85%
Saw a GP (rather than a nurse or other staff)63%
All survey questions, compared with England
What patients saidThis surgeryEnglandLast year
Getting in touch
Easy to get through by phone 94% 57% 88%
Easy to contact via website 79% 58% 74%
Easy to contact via NHS App 76% 54% 65%
Reception staff helpful 98% 85% 98%
Seeing the same person
Has a preferred clinician 36% 31% 28%
Sees preferred clinician 80% 42% 63%
What happened when they got in touch
Knew what would happen next 94% 84% 98%
Next steps within 2 days 91% 93% 95%
Good experience of contacting 95% 73% 94%
The appointment
Offered a choice of time or day 80% 57% 86%
Waiting time was about right 92% 69% 90%
Remote appointment 15% 26% 14%
The doctor or nurse
Good at listening 93% 87% 97%
Treated with care and concern 92% 86% 92%
Considered mental wellbeing 86% 75% 89%
Had all the information needed 95% 92% 97%
Confidence and trust 95% 93% 97%
Involved in decisions 99% 92% 97%
Needs were met 93% 90% 98%
Overall
Overall experience good 90% 77% 93%
Living with a long-term condition
Confident managing conditions 86% 79% 85%
Supported by local services 79% 70% 85%
Discussed managing condition 40% 43% 67%
Agreed a care plan 56% 46% 45%

Green means at least 2 points better than England, red at least 2 points worse. With about 113 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 6:30pm
Tuesday8am to 6:30pm
Wednesday8am to 6:30pm
Thursday8am to 6:30pm
Friday8am to 6:30pm
SaturdayClosed
SundayClosed

Confirmed by the surgery on 30 July 2024. Bank holidays may differ.

Address
Health Centre, Bellingham, Hexham, NE48 2HE
Phone
01434 220203
Email
[email protected]
Website
www.thebellinghampractice.co.uk
Online
Book, order repeat prescriptions and see records in the NHS App
Works with
West Northumberland PCN (a group of local surgeries that share services)
NHS code
A84027 · NHS profile

Access and facilities

  • Disabled parking
  • Disabled toilet
  • Induction loop
  • Step-free access
  • Wheelchair access
  • 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 22 January 2019

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?Outstanding
Is it responsive?Outstanding
Is it well-led?Outstanding

About the patients

NHS records for the people registered here

3,424registered patients
Poorer than mosthow well off the local area is
86.2years life expectancy locally (England 83.0)

Common health conditions

ConditionHereEngland
Hypertension23.5%15.2%
Diabetes9.4%7.9%
Asthma8.7%6.6%
COPD2.2%1.9%
Coronary heart disease3.9%3.0%
Depression9.7%14.3%
Obesity19.8%13.9%
Smoking10.6%13.5%

Health checks done

CheckHereEngland
Cervical screening, women 25-4975%67%
Cervical screening, women 50-6477%75%
Blood pressure controlled (hypertension, under 80)65%68%
Blood pressure checked in last 5 years (45+)90%87%
Diabetes: blood pressure on target69%75%
Diabetes: blood sugar (HbA1c) on target58%57%
Diabetes: annual foot check85%78%
Asthma: annual review73%66%
SurgeryDistanceScoreEasy by phoneRated goodNew patients
Bellingham Practicethis surgery9795%90%Yes
Humshaugh & Wark Medical GrpHexham, NE46 4BU9.1 miles9898%94%Yes
Npc Haydon Bridge & AllendaleHexham, NE47 6LA11.6 miles8185%91%Yes
Scots Gap Medical GroupMorpeth, NE61 4EG12.7 miles9897%94%Yes
Burn Brae Medical GroupHexham, NE46 1QJ13.6 miles7479%89%Yes
The Sele Medical PracticeHexham, NE46 1QJ13.6 miles9691%93%Yes
Haltwhistle Medical GroupHaltwhistle, NE49 9AP14.5 miles7981%93%Yes
Corbridge Health CentreCorbridge, NE45 5LG15.2 miles9694%95%Yes
Npc RothburyMorpeth, NE65 7RW17.6 miles8992%93%Yes
Branch End SurgeryStocksfield, NE43 7LL19.7 miles9693%93%Yes

Common questions

Is Bellingham Practice taking on new patients?

Yes. When we last checked its page on the NHS website (20 September 2026), Bellingham Practice was taking on new patients. You can register online through the NHS website or call the surgery on 01434 220203.

How do patients rate Bellingham Practice?

In the 2026 NHS GP Patient Survey, 90% of patients at Bellingham Practice said their overall experience was good. The England average is 77%. 95% found it easy to get through by phone (England 57%). Its GPScore is 97 out of 100, grade A, which puts it in the top 20% of GP surgeries in England.

What is the inspection rating for Bellingham Practice?

The Care Quality Commission, which inspects GP surgeries in England, rated Bellingham Practice as Outstanding at its last published inspection (report published 22 January 2019).

What are the opening times of Bellingham 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 30 July 2024. Bank holidays may differ.

How do I contact Bellingham Practice?

Call 01434 220203 or visit its website, www.thebellinghampractice.co.uk. You can also book and order repeat prescriptions in the NHS App. The address is Health Centre, Bellingham, Hexham, NE48 2HE.

How many patients are registered at Bellingham Practice?

Around 3,424 patients are registered (January 2025). The surgery is part of West Northumberland 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.