GP surgery in Margate

Bethesda Medical Centre

Palm Bay Avenue, Cliftonville, Margate, CT9 3NR

Taking on new patientsInspection: Good18,975 patients

Scores 18 out of 100, poor for a GP surgery in England. 69% of patients say their experience is good and 40% 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.

Poor Scores higher than 18% of GP surgeries in England. 4th of 5 in Margate Based on 103 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 21

  • Easy to get through on the phone13
  • Easy to contact online8
  • Good experience of getting in touch35
  • Did not wait too long for the appointment38

Quality of care 18

  • Patients rate the surgery as good20
  • Patients got what they needed37
  • Doctors and nurses listen35
  • Patients trust the staff24
  • Inspection rating (Good)50
  • Health checks and screening done30
  • Meets NHS clinical targets13
  • Children vaccinated on time24

What patients say

103 patients answered the 2026 NHS survey about this surgery.

40%

find the phone easy

well below the England average (57%)

69%

say their experience is good

below the England average (77%)

+2

change since last year

2025: 67% · 2026: 69%

Getting in touch

Contacted the surgery by phone62%
Had their call answered straight away4%
Gave up or got no answer2%
Knew what would happen next straight away69%

The appointment

Were seen the same day38%
Waited more than a week30%
Were seen face to face78%
Saw a GP (rather than a nurse or other staff)66%
All survey questions, compared with England
What patients saidThis surgeryEnglandLast year
Getting in touch
Easy to get through by phone 40% 57% 50%
Easy to contact via website 35% 58% 46%
Easy to contact via NHS App 40% 54% 58%
Reception staff helpful 80% 85% 73%
Seeing the same person
Has a preferred clinician 34% 31% 36%
Sees preferred clinician 39% 42% 30%
What happened when they got in touch
Knew what would happen next 81% 84% 70%
Next steps within 2 days 89% 93% 94%
Good experience of contacting 70% 73% 57%
The appointment
Offered a choice of time or day 43% 57% 39%
Waiting time was about right 67% 69% 65%
Remote appointment 22% 26% 26%
The doctor or nurse
Good at listening 86% 87% 75%
Treated with care and concern 86% 86% 78%
Considered mental wellbeing 68% 75% 64%
Had all the information needed 91% 92% 90%
Confidence and trust 90% 93% 89%
Involved in decisions 86% 92% 92%
Needs were met 89% 90% 92%
Overall
Overall experience good 69% 77% 67%
Living with a long-term condition
Confident managing conditions 75% 79% 77%
Supported by local services 57% 70% 62%
Discussed managing condition 46% 43% 38%
Agreed a care plan 56% 46% 55%

Green means at least 2 points better than England, red at least 2 points worse. With about 103 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 8pm
Wednesday8am to 8pm
Thursday8am to 6:30pm
Friday7am to 6:30pm
SaturdayClosed
SundayClosed

Confirmed by the surgery on 4 March 2025. Bank holidays may differ.

Address
Palm Bay Avenue, Cliftonville, Margate, CT9 3NR
Phone
01843 209300
Online
Book, order repeat prescriptions and see records in the NHS App
Works with
Margate PCN (a group of local surgeries that share services)
NHS code
G82105 · NHS profile

Access and facilities

  • Accessible toilets
  • Baby-changing facilities
  • Bus stop nearby
  • Cycle parking
  • Disabled car parking
  • Free NHS WiFi
  • Free on-site car parking
  • Free public WiFi
  • Hearing loop or induction loop: helps to improve sound for hearing aid users
  • Off-site car parking nearby
  • Step-free access at entrances and exits
  • Step-free access throughout
  • Translation services
  • Wheelchair access at entrances and exits

Pins show each surgery's score. Get directions

Inspection rating

By the Care Quality Commission, the NHS regulator

Good

overall, from the inspection published 4 June 2025

Read the inspection report

The five questions inspectors ask

Is it safe?Requires improvement
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

18,975registered patients
Averagehow well off the local area is
80.4years life expectancy locally (England 83.0)

Common health conditions

ConditionHereEngland
Hypertension18.7%15.2%
Diabetes9.1%7.9%
Asthma5.6%6.6%
COPD3.0%1.9%
Coronary heart disease3.1%3.0%
Depression17.0%14.3%
Obesity13.0%13.9%
Smoking21.2%13.5%

Health checks done

CheckHereEngland
Cervical screening, women 25-4965%67%
Cervical screening, women 50-6465%75%
Blood pressure controlled (hypertension, under 80)66%68%
Blood pressure checked in last 5 years (45+)85%87%
Diabetes: blood pressure on target73%75%
Diabetes: blood sugar (HbA1c) on target54%57%
Diabetes: annual foot check81%78%
Asthma: annual review66%66%

Other surgeries nearby

All surgeries in Margate →

SurgeryDistanceScoreEasy by phoneRated goodNew patients
Bethesda Medical Centrethis surgery1840%69%Yes
Northdown & Dashwood SurgeryMargate, CT9 2TR0.6 miles3052%75%Yes
The Limes Medical CentreMargate, CT9 1QY1.3 miles1734%72%Yes
Mocketts Wood SurgeryBroadstairs, CT10 2TR1.6 miles7170%87%No
St Peter's SurgeryBroadstairs, CT10 2RZ2.1 miles2662%70%Yes
Broadstairs Medical PracticeBroadstairs, CT10 2AJ2.2 miles5982%80%Yes
Summerhill SurgeryRamsgate, CT12 6SU3.0 miles1033%63%Yes
Newington Road SurgeryRamsgate, CT12 6EW3.3 miles1033%64%Yes
Westgate SurgeryWestgate-on-Sea, CT8 8SN3.3 miles8475%91%No
East Cliff Medical PracticeRamsgate, CT11 8AD3.6 miles5046%87%Yes

Northdown & Dashwood Surgery is 0.6 miles away, scores 30 and is taking on new patients. You can usually join any surgery that covers your address.

Common questions

Is Bethesda Medical Centre taking on new patients?

Yes. When we last checked its page on the NHS website (20 September 2026), Bethesda Medical Centre was taking on new patients. You can register online through the NHS website or call the surgery on 01843 209300.

How do patients rate Bethesda Medical Centre?

In the 2026 NHS GP Patient Survey, 69% of patients at Bethesda Medical Centre said their overall experience was good. The England average is 77%. 40% found it easy to get through by phone (England 57%). Its GPScore is 18 out of 100, grade E, which puts it in the bottom 20% of GP surgeries in England.

What is the inspection rating for Bethesda Medical Centre?

The Care Quality Commission, which inspects GP surgeries in England, rated Bethesda Medical Centre as Good at its last published inspection (report published 4 June 2025).

What are the opening times of Bethesda Medical Centre?

Reception is open Monday 8am to 6:30pm, Tuesday 8am to 8pm, Wednesday 8am to 8pm, Thursday 8am to 6:30pm, Friday 7am to 6:30pm, Saturday closed, Sunday closed. The surgery last confirmed these times on 4 March 2025. Bank holidays may differ.

How do I contact Bethesda Medical Centre?

Call 01843 209300. You can also book and order repeat prescriptions in the NHS App. The address is Palm Bay Avenue, Cliftonville, Margate, CT9 3NR.

How many patients are registered at Bethesda Medical Centre?

Around 18,975 patients are registered (January 2025). The surgery is part of Margate PCN, a group of local surgeries that share staff and services, in the Kent and Medway 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.