GP surgery in Penrith
Birbeck Medical Group
Penrith Health Centre, Bridge Lane, Penrith, CA11 8HW
Scores 54 out of 100, average for a GP surgery in England. 82% of patients say their experience is good and 62% find it easy to get through on the phone (England: 77% and 57%). Inspectors rated it Good in 2026. 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 46
- Easy to get through on the phone49
- Easy to contact online56
- Good experience of getting in touch45
- Did not wait too long for the appointment43
Quality of care 61
- Patients rate the surgery as good62
- Patients got what they needed52
- Doctors and nurses listen40
- Patients trust the staff54
- Inspection rating (Good)50
- Health checks and screening done80
- Meets NHS clinical targets63
- Children vaccinated on time50
What patients say
112 patients answered the 2026 NHS survey about this surgery.
62%
find the phone easy
above the England average (57%)
82%
say their experience is good
above the England average (77%)
+8
change since last year
2025: 74% · 2026: 82%
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 | 62% | 57% | 52% |
| Easy to contact via website | 61% | 58% | 58% |
| Easy to contact via NHS App | 57% | 54% | 58% |
| Reception staff helpful | 90% | 85% | 93% |
| Seeing the same person | |||
| Has a preferred clinician | 29% | 31% | 15% |
| Sees preferred clinician | 76% | 42% | 50% |
| What happened when they got in touch | |||
| Knew what would happen next | 89% | 84% | 94% |
| Next steps within 2 days | 92% | 93% | 92% |
| Good experience of contacting | 74% | 73% | 80% |
| The appointment | |||
| Offered a choice of time or day | 65% | 57% | 63% |
| Waiting time was about right | 69% | 69% | 78% |
| Remote appointment | 36% | 26% | 29% |
| The doctor or nurse | |||
| Good at listening | 86% | 87% | 86% |
| Treated with care and concern | 88% | 86% | 86% |
| Considered mental wellbeing | 70% | 75% | 60% |
| Had all the information needed | 88% | 92% | 84% |
| Confidence and trust | 94% | 93% | 93% |
| Involved in decisions | 91% | 92% | 89% |
| Needs were met | 91% | 90% | 90% |
| Overall | |||
| Overall experience good | 82% | 77% | 74% |
| Living with a long-term condition | |||
| Confident managing conditions | 84% | 79% | 84% |
| Supported by local services | 80% | 70% | 69% |
| Discussed managing condition | 56% | 43% | 32% |
| Agreed a care plan | 59% | 46% | 45% |
Green means at least 2 points better than England, red at least 2 points worse. With about 112 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 18 November 2025. Bank holidays may differ.
- Address
- Penrith Health Centre, Bridge Lane, Penrith, CA11 8HW
- Phone
- 01768 214620
- Website
- www.birbeckmedicalgroup.co.uk
- Online
- Book, order repeat prescriptions and see records in the NHS App
- Works with
- Eden (Cumbria) PCN (a group of local surgeries that share services)
- NHS code
- A82035 · NHS profile
Access and facilities
- Accessible toilets
- Bariatric equipment: weight support
- Bus stop nearby
- Cycle parking
- Disabled car parking
- 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
- Parent and child parking spaces
- Step-free access at entrances and exits
- Step-free access throughout
- Toilets
- Translation services
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 | 20.1% | 15.2% |
| Diabetes | 7.7% | 7.9% |
| Asthma | 7.6% | 6.6% |
| COPD | 1.8% | 1.9% |
| Coronary heart disease | 4.5% | 3.0% |
| Depression | 14.8% | 14.3% |
| Obesity | 15.5% | 13.9% |
| Smoking | 12.7% | 13.5% |
Health checks done
| Check | Here | England |
|---|---|---|
| Cervical screening, women 25-49 | 73% | 67% |
| Cervical screening, women 50-64 | 76% | 75% |
| Blood pressure controlled (hypertension, under 80) | 73% | 68% |
| Blood pressure checked in last 5 years (45+) | 89% | 87% |
| Diabetes: blood pressure on target | 84% | 75% |
| Diabetes: blood sugar (HbA1c) on target | 61% | 57% |
| Diabetes: annual foot check | 90% | 78% |
| Asthma: annual review | 73% | 66% |
Other surgeries nearby
| Surgery | Distance | Score | Easy by phone | Rated good | New patients |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Birbeck Medical Groupthis surgery | – | 54 | 62% | 82% | Yes |
| The Lakes Medical PracticePenrith, CA11 8HW | under 0.1 miles | 83 | 65% | 83% | Yes |
| Temple Sowerby Medical PracticePenrith, CA10 1RW | 5.7 miles | 80 | 74% | 83% | Yes |
| Kirkoswald SurgeryPenrith, CA10 1DQ | 7.7 miles | 96 | 88% | 87% | Yes |
| Shap Medical PracticePenrith, CA10 3LW | 9.2 miles | 98 | 86% | 98% | Yes |
| Court Thorn SurgeryCarlisle, CA4 0HP | 10.6 miles | 77 | 74% | 83% | Yes |
| Appleby Medical PracticeAppleby-in-Westmorland, CA16 6QR | 11.3 miles | 93 | 74% | 91% | Yes |
| Glenridding Health CentrePenrith, CA11 0PD | 11.3 miles | 100 | 100% | 100% | Yes |
| Caldbeck SurgeryWigton, CA7 8DS | 13.9 miles | 99 | 94% | 93% | Yes |
| Dalston Medical GroupCarlisle, CA5 7PZ | 16.0 miles | 63 | 81% | 74% | Yes |
The Lakes Medical Practice is under 0.1 miles away, scores 83 and is taking on new patients. You can usually join any surgery that covers your address.
Common questions
Is Birbeck Medical Group taking on new patients?
Yes. When we last checked its page on the NHS website (20 September 2026), Birbeck Medical Group was taking on new patients. You can register online through the NHS website or call the surgery on 01768 214620.
How do patients rate Birbeck Medical Group?
In the 2026 NHS GP Patient Survey, 82% of patients at Birbeck Medical Group said their overall experience was good. The England average is 77%. 62% found it easy to get through by phone (England 57%). Its GPScore is 54 out of 100, grade C, which puts it in the middle 20% of GP surgeries in England.
What is the inspection rating for Birbeck Medical Group?
The Care Quality Commission, which inspects GP surgeries in England, rated Birbeck Medical Group as Good at its last published inspection (report published 29 June 2026).
What are the opening times of Birbeck Medical Group?
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 18 November 2025. Bank holidays may differ.
How do I contact Birbeck Medical Group?
Call 01768 214620 or visit its website, www.birbeckmedicalgroup.co.uk. You can also book and order repeat prescriptions in the NHS App. The address is Penrith Health Centre, Bridge Lane, Penrith, CA11 8HW.
How many patients are registered at Birbeck Medical Group?
Around 14,526 patients are registered (January 2025). The surgery is part of Eden (Cumbria) 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.