GP surgery in Stoke-on-Trent
Birches Head Medical Centre
Diana Road, Birches Head, Stoke-on-Trent, ST1 6RS
Scores 69 out of 100, good for a GP surgery in England. 86% of patients say their experience is good and 68% find it easy to get through on the phone (England: 77% and 57%). Inspectors rated it Good in 2017. 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 77
- Easy to get through on the phone61
- Easy to contact online91
- Good experience of getting in touch78
- Did not wait too long for the appointment71
Quality of care 55
- Patients rate the surgery as good74
- Patients got what they needed32
- Doctors and nurses listen72
- Patients trust the staff28
- Inspection rating (Good)50
- Health checks and screening done22
- Meets NHS clinical targets61
- Children vaccinated on time58
What patients say
126 patients answered the 2026 NHS survey about this surgery.
68%
find the phone easy
well above the England average (57%)
86%
say their experience is good
well above the England average (77%)
-3
change since last year
2025: 89% · 2026: 86%
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 | 68% | 57% | 88% |
| Easy to contact via website | 78% | 58% | 52% |
| Easy to contact via NHS App | 79% | 54% | 66% |
| Reception staff helpful | 96% | 85% | 90% |
| Seeing the same person | |||
| Has a preferred clinician | 24% | 31% | 20% |
| Sees preferred clinician | 46% | 42% | 26% |
| What happened when they got in touch | |||
| Knew what would happen next | 92% | 84% | 92% |
| Next steps within 2 days | 98% | 93% | 95% |
| Good experience of contacting | 85% | 73% | 91% |
| The appointment | |||
| Offered a choice of time or day | 69% | 57% | 68% |
| Waiting time was about right | 78% | 69% | 84% |
| Remote appointment | 14% | 26% | 13% |
| The doctor or nurse | |||
| Good at listening | 92% | 87% | 90% |
| Treated with care and concern | 92% | 86% | 88% |
| Considered mental wellbeing | 83% | 75% | 82% |
| Had all the information needed | 97% | 92% | 95% |
| Confidence and trust | 91% | 93% | 92% |
| Involved in decisions | 92% | 92% | 94% |
| Needs were met | 88% | 90% | 95% |
| Overall | |||
| Overall experience good | 86% | 77% | 89% |
| Living with a long-term condition | |||
| Confident managing conditions | 86% | 79% | 79% |
| Supported by local services | 76% | 70% | 77% |
| Discussed managing condition | 49% | 43% | 47% |
| Agreed a care plan | 46% | 46% | 59% |
Green means at least 2 points better than England, red at least 2 points worse. With about 126 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
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Write a review
Opening times and contact
| Monday | 8:30am to 6pm |
| Tuesday | 8:30am to 6pm |
| Wednesday | 8:30am to 6pm |
| Thursday | 8:30am to 1pm |
| Friday | 8:30am to 6pm |
| Saturday | Closed |
| Sunday | Closed |
Confirmed by the surgery on 15 April 2019. Bank holidays may differ.
- Address
- Diana Road, Birches Head, Stoke-on-Trent, ST1 6RS
- Phone
- 01782 948998
- Website
- www.birchesheadmedicalcentre.co.uk
- Online
- Book, order repeat prescriptions and see records in the NHS App
- Works with
- Shelton & Hanley PCN (a group of local surgeries that share services)
- NHS code
- M83123 · NHS profile
Branch surgery
Run by this practice from another building. Patients register with the practice, not the branch.
- Dr K Samal Branch
- Hulton House Surgery, 1479 Leek Road, Abbey Hulton, Stoke-on-Trent, ST2 8DA · 01782 535291
Access and facilities
- Disabled parking
- Disabled toilet
- Induction loop
- Signing service
- Step-free access
- Wheelchair access
- Baby changing facility
- Children’s play area
- Parent and baby room
- Parent and child parking
- Pram park
- Baby changing facility
- Car parking
- Cycle 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 23 August 2017
This rating is 9 years old. The CQC has not published a newer inspection.
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 | 18.2% | 15.2% |
| Diabetes | 8.9% | 7.9% |
| Asthma | 7.7% | 6.6% |
| COPD | 2.7% | 1.9% |
| Coronary heart disease | 3.0% | 3.0% |
| Depression | 29.0% | 14.3% |
| Obesity | 19.1% | 13.9% |
| Smoking | 18.0% | 13.5% |
Health checks done
| Check | Here | England |
|---|---|---|
| Cervical screening, women 25-49 | 71% | 67% |
| Cervical screening, women 50-64 | 75% | 75% |
| Blood pressure controlled (hypertension, under 80) | 61% | 68% |
| Blood pressure checked in last 5 years (45+) | 90% | 87% |
| Diabetes: blood pressure on target | 65% | 75% |
| Diabetes: blood sugar (HbA1c) on target | 58% | 57% |
| Diabetes: annual foot check | 69% | 78% |
| Asthma: annual review | 56% | 66% |
Other surgeries nearby
| Surgery | Distance | Score | Easy by phone | Rated good | New patients |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Birches Head Medical Centrethis surgery | – | 69 | 68% | 86% | Yes |
| Prima Care SurgeriesStoke-on-Trent, ST1 2BN | 0.9 miles | 72 | 68% | 82% | Yes |
| Millrise Medical PracticeStoke-on-Trent, ST2 7BW | 1.1 miles | 83 | 65% | 94% | Yes |
| The Moorcroft Medical CentreStoke on Trent, ST1 3NJ | 1.1 miles | 6 | 42% | 63% | Yes |
| Harley Street Medical CentreStoke-on-Trent, ST1 3RX | 1.1 miles | 15 | 54% | 69% | Yes |
| Potteries Medical CentreStoke-on-Trent, ST2 0JG | 1.3 miles | 92 | 88% | 90% | Yes |
| Cobridge SurgeryStoke-on-Trent, ST6 2JN | 1.3 miles | 19 | 52% | 71% | Yes |
| Apsley SurgeryStoke-on-Trent, ST6 2JN | 1.3 miles | 27 | 48% | 70% | Yes |
| Brook Medical CentreStoke-on-Trent, ST6 7NN | 1.7 miles | 59 | 56% | 77% | Yes |
| Lucie Wedgewood Surgery LtdStoke-on-Trent, ST6 2AB | 1.8 miles | 64 | 73% | 84% | Yes |
Millrise Medical Practice is 1.1 miles away, scores 83 and is taking on new patients. You can usually join any surgery that covers your address.
Common questions
Is Birches Head Medical Centre taking on new patients?
Yes. When we last checked its page on the NHS website (20 September 2026), Birches Head Medical Centre was taking on new patients. You can register online through the NHS website or call the surgery on 01782 948998.
How do patients rate Birches Head Medical Centre?
In the 2026 NHS GP Patient Survey, 86% of patients at Birches Head Medical Centre said their overall experience was good. The England average is 77%. 68% found it easy to get through by phone (England 57%). Its GPScore is 69 out of 100, grade B, which puts it in the second-best 20% of GP surgeries in England.
What is the inspection rating for Birches Head Medical Centre?
The Care Quality Commission, which inspects GP surgeries in England, rated Birches Head Medical Centre as Good at its last published inspection (report published 23 August 2017).
What are the opening times of Birches Head Medical Centre?
Reception is open Monday 8:30am to 6pm, Tuesday 8:30am to 6pm, Wednesday 8:30am to 6pm, Thursday 8:30am to 1pm, Friday 8:30am to 6pm, Saturday closed, Sunday closed. The surgery last confirmed these times on 15 April 2019. Bank holidays may differ.
How do I contact Birches Head Medical Centre?
Call 01782 948998 or visit its website, www.birchesheadmedicalcentre.co.uk. You can also book and order repeat prescriptions in the NHS App. The address is Diana Road, Birches Head, Stoke-on-Trent, ST1 6RS.
Does Birches Head Medical Centre have a branch surgery?
Yes. Birches Head Medical Centre also runs Dr K Samal Branch (Hulton House Surgery, 1479 Leek Road, Abbey Hulton, Stoke-on-Trent, ST2 8DA). Patients register with the practice and can usually be seen at either site.
How many patients are registered at Birches Head Medical Centre?
Around 10,023 patients are registered (January 2025). The surgery is part of Shelton & Hanley PCN, a group of local surgeries that share staff and services, in the Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent 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.