GP surgery in Ashton-in-Makerfield

Billinge Medical Practice

First Floor Garswood Surgery, Billinge Road, Ashton-in-Makerfield, Wigan, WN4 0XD

Taking on new patientsInspection: Good7,506 patients

Scores 82 out of 100, excellent for a GP surgery in England. 93% of patients say their experience is good and 78% find it easy to get through on the phone (England: 77% and 57%). Inspectors rated it Good in 2024. It is taking on new patients.

Excellent Scores higher than 82% of GP surgeries in England. 2nd of 6 in Ashton-in-Makerfield Based on 123 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 87

  • Easy to get through on the phone80
  • Easy to contact online89
  • Good experience of getting in touch68
  • Did not wait too long for the appointment92

Quality of care 71

  • Patients rate the surgery as good93
  • Patients got what they needed33
  • Doctors and nurses listen58
  • Patients trust the staff30
  • Inspection rating (Good)50
  • Health checks and screening done84
  • Meets NHS clinical targets58
  • Children vaccinated on time49

What patients say

123 patients answered the 2026 NHS survey about this surgery.

78%

find the phone easy

well above the England average (57%)

93%

say their experience is good

well above the England average (77%)

+1

change since last year

2025: 92% · 2026: 93%

Getting in touch

Contacted the surgery by phone62%
Had their call answered straight away18%
Gave up or got no answer0%
Knew what would happen next straight away77%

The appointment

Were seen the same day40%
Waited more than a week24%
Were seen face to face88%
Saw a GP (rather than a nurse or other staff)58%
All survey questions, compared with England
What patients saidThis surgeryEnglandLast year
Getting in touch
Easy to get through by phone 78% 57% 80%
Easy to contact via website 77% 58% 72%
Easy to contact via NHS App 71% 54% 75%
Reception staff helpful 98% 85% 99%
Seeing the same person
Has a preferred clinician 16% 31% 18%
Sees preferred clinician 48% 42% 75%
What happened when they got in touch
Knew what would happen next 93% 84% 96%
Next steps within 2 days 94% 93% 94%
Good experience of contacting 81% 73% 93%
The appointment
Offered a choice of time or day 70% 57% 76%
Waiting time was about right 88% 69% 83%
Remote appointment 12% 26% 21%
The doctor or nurse
Good at listening 89% 87% 95%
Treated with care and concern 87% 86% 92%
Considered mental wellbeing 81% 75% 81%
Had all the information needed 96% 92% 97%
Confidence and trust 91% 93% 97%
Involved in decisions 89% 92% 97%
Needs were met 89% 90% 97%
Overall
Overall experience good 93% 77% 92%
Living with a long-term condition
Confident managing conditions 85% 79% 72%
Supported by local services 72% 70% 69%
Discussed managing condition 31% 43% 44%
Agreed a care plan 57% 46% 34%

Green means at least 2 points better than England, red at least 2 points worse. With about 123 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 8pm
Tuesday8am to 6:30pm
Wednesday8am to 6:30pm
Thursday8am to 6:30pm
Friday8am to 6:30pm
SaturdayClosed
SundayClosed

Confirmed by the surgery on 22 October 2025. Bank holidays may differ.

Address
First Floor Garswood Surgery, Billinge Road, Ashton-in-Makerfield, Wigan, WN4 0XD
Phone
01744 892205
Email
[email protected]
Website
www.billingemedicalpractice.org
Online
Book, order repeat prescriptions and see records in the NHS App
Works with
St Helens North PCN (a group of local surgeries that share services)
NHS code
N83019 · NHS profile

Access and facilities

  • Disabled parking
  • Disabled toilet
  • Induction loop
  • Signing service
  • Step-free access
  • Text relay
  • Wheelchair access
  • Baby changing facility
  • Baby changing facility
  • Car parking
  • Disabled 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 11 December 2024

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

7,506registered patients
Better off than mosthow well off the local area is
84.1years life expectancy locally (England 83.0)

Common health conditions

ConditionHereEngland
Hypertension24.0%15.2%
Diabetes9.0%7.9%
Asthma8.2%6.6%
COPD2.2%1.9%
Coronary heart disease6.8%3.0%
Depression12.9%14.3%
Obesity17.1%13.9%
Smoking7.8%13.5%

Health checks done

CheckHereEngland
Cervical screening, women 25-4978%67%
Cervical screening, women 50-6479%75%
Blood pressure controlled (hypertension, under 80)75%68%
Blood pressure checked in last 5 years (45+)92%87%
Diabetes: blood pressure on target78%75%
Diabetes: blood sugar (HbA1c) on target61%57%
Diabetes: annual foot check77%78%
Asthma: annual review72%66%
SurgeryDistanceScoreEasy by phoneRated goodNew patients
Billinge Medical Practicethis surgery8278%93%Yes
Garswood SurgeryWigan, WN4 0XDunder 0.1 miles6385%78%Yes
Bryn Cross SurgeryWigan, WN4 0AR1.4 miles9993%95%Yes
Ashton Medical CentreWigan, WN4 9SU1.6 miles2756%68%Yes
Saxena LWigan, WN3 6JN1.8 miles9089%89%Yes
MedicentreWigan, WN4 9AZ1.8 miles8169%80%Yes
Bryn Street SurgeryWigan, WN4 9AZ1.8 miles7872%85%Yes
Modality St HelensSt. Helens, WA11 0NA2.2 miles627%63%Yes
Extended AccessWigan, WN3 6PR2.4 miles
Wigan Borough Specialist ServicesWigan, WN3 6PR2.4 miles

Bryn Cross Surgery is 1.4 miles away, scores 99 and is taking on new patients. You can usually join any surgery that covers your address.

Common questions

Is Billinge Medical Practice taking on new patients?

Yes. When we last checked its page on the NHS website (20 September 2026), Billinge Medical Practice was taking on new patients. You can register online through the NHS website or call the surgery on 01744 892205.

How do patients rate Billinge Medical Practice?

In the 2026 NHS GP Patient Survey, 93% of patients at Billinge Medical Practice said their overall experience was good. The England average is 77%. 78% found it easy to get through by phone (England 57%). Its GPScore is 82 out of 100, grade A, which puts it in the top 20% of GP surgeries in England.

What is the inspection rating for Billinge Medical Practice?

The Care Quality Commission, which inspects GP surgeries in England, rated Billinge Medical Practice as Good at its last published inspection (report published 11 December 2024).

What are the opening times of Billinge Medical Practice?

Reception is open Monday 8am to 8pm, 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 22 October 2025. Bank holidays may differ.

How do I contact Billinge Medical Practice?

Call 01744 892205 or visit its website, www.billingemedicalpractice.org. You can also book and order repeat prescriptions in the NHS App. The address is First Floor Garswood Surgery, Billinge Road, Ashton-in-Makerfield, Wigan, WN4 0XD.

How many patients are registered at Billinge Medical Practice?

Around 7,506 patients are registered (January 2025). The surgery is part of St Helens North PCN, a group of local surgeries that share staff and services, in the Cheshire and Merseyside 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.