GP surgery in Margate
Birchington Medical Centre
Minnis Road, Birchington, CT7 9HQ
Scores 23 out of 100, below average for a GP surgery in England. 71% of patients say their experience is good and 48% find it easy to get through on the phone (England: 77% and 57%). Inspectors rated it Good in 2021. 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 19
- Easy to get through on the phone24
- Easy to contact online41
- Good experience of getting in touch13
- Did not wait too long for the appointment32
Quality of care 33
- Patients rate the surgery as good25
- Patients got what they needed77
- Doctors and nurses listen30
- Patients trust the staff33
- Inspection rating (Good)50
- Health checks and screening done49
- Meets NHS clinical targets13
- Children vaccinated on time27
What patients say
112 patients answered the 2026 NHS survey about this surgery.
48%
find the phone easy
well below the England average (57%)
71%
say their experience is good
below the England average (77%)
+2
change since last year
2025: 70% · 2026: 71%
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 | 48% | 57% | 44% |
| Easy to contact via website | 54% | 58% | 32% |
| Easy to contact via NHS App | 57% | 54% | 44% |
| Reception staff helpful | 79% | 85% | 78% |
| Seeing the same person | |||
| Has a preferred clinician | 33% | 31% | 23% |
| Sees preferred clinician | 13% | 42% | 21% |
| What happened when they got in touch | |||
| Knew what would happen next | 78% | 84% | 70% |
| Next steps within 2 days | 92% | 93% | 92% |
| Good experience of contacting | 59% | 73% | 57% |
| The appointment | |||
| Offered a choice of time or day | 38% | 57% | 36% |
| Waiting time was about right | 65% | 69% | 60% |
| Remote appointment | 20% | 26% | 32% |
| The doctor or nurse | |||
| Good at listening | 84% | 87% | 84% |
| Treated with care and concern | 87% | 86% | 85% |
| Considered mental wellbeing | 78% | 75% | 78% |
| Had all the information needed | 95% | 92% | 93% |
| Confidence and trust | 91% | 93% | 91% |
| Involved in decisions | 91% | 92% | 88% |
| Needs were met | 95% | 90% | 91% |
| Overall | |||
| Overall experience good | 71% | 77% | 70% |
| Living with a long-term condition | |||
| Confident managing conditions | 86% | 79% | 76% |
| Supported by local services | 78% | 70% | 69% |
| Discussed managing condition | 25% | 43% | 35% |
| Agreed a care plan | 26% | 46% | 31% |
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 9 October 2024. Bank holidays may differ.
- Address
- Minnis Road, Birchington, CT7 9HQ
- Phone
- 01843 848818
- Online
- Book, order repeat prescriptions and see records in the NHS App
- Works with
- Ramsgate PCN (a group of local surgeries that share services)
- NHS code
- G82666 · NHS profile
Branch surgery
Run by this practice from another building. Patients register with the practice, not the branch.
- Orchard House Surgery
- Bleak Road, Lydd, Romney Marsh, TN29 9AE
Access and facilities
- Accessible toilets
- Baby-changing facilities
- Bariatric equipment: weight support
- Bus stop nearby
- Cycle parking
- Disability awareness and equality training for staff
- Disabled car parking
- Enhanced lighting
- 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
- Lift
- Sign language interpreter available in-person
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 | 24.5% | 15.2% |
| Diabetes | 11.0% | 7.9% |
| Asthma | 7.0% | 6.6% |
| COPD | 4.1% | 1.9% |
| Coronary heart disease | 4.9% | 3.0% |
| Depression | 20.8% | 14.3% |
| Obesity | 15.3% | 13.9% |
| Smoking | 14.2% | 13.5% |
Health checks done
| Check | Here | England |
|---|---|---|
| Cervical screening, women 25-49 | 73% | 67% |
| Cervical screening, women 50-64 | 77% | 75% |
| Blood pressure controlled (hypertension, under 80) | 63% | 68% |
| Blood pressure checked in last 5 years (45+) | 92% | 87% |
| Diabetes: blood pressure on target | 71% | 75% |
| Diabetes: blood sugar (HbA1c) on target | 57% | 57% |
| Diabetes: annual foot check | 82% | 78% |
| Asthma: annual review | 72% | 66% |
Other surgeries nearby
| Surgery | Distance | Score | Easy by phone | Rated good | New patients |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Birchington Medical Centrethis surgery | – | 23 | 48% | 71% | Yes |
| Westgate SurgeryWestgate-on-Sea, CT8 8SN | 1.8 miles | 84 | 75% | 91% | No |
| Minster SurgeryRamsgate, CT12 4AB | 3.0 miles | 58 | 59% | 77% | Yes |
| The Limes Medical CentreMargate, CT9 1QY | 3.9 miles | 17 | 34% | 72% | Yes |
| Northdown & Dashwood SurgeryMargate, CT9 2TR | 4.7 miles | 30 | 52% | 75% | Yes |
| St Peter's SurgeryBroadstairs, CT10 2RZ | 4.8 miles | 26 | 62% | 70% | Yes |
| Newington Road SurgeryRamsgate, CT12 6EW | 4.9 miles | 10 | 33% | 64% | Yes |
| Summerhill SurgeryRamsgate, CT12 6SU | 5.1 miles | 10 | 33% | 63% | Yes |
| Bethesda Medical CentreMargate, CT9 3NR | 5.1 miles | 18 | 40% | 69% | Yes |
| Mocketts Wood SurgeryBroadstairs, CT10 2TR | 5.2 miles | 71 | 70% | 87% | No |
Minster Surgery is 3.0 miles away, scores 58 and is taking on new patients. You can usually join any surgery that covers your address.
Common questions
Is Birchington Medical Centre taking on new patients?
Yes. When we last checked its page on the NHS website (20 September 2026), Birchington Medical Centre was taking on new patients. You can register online through the NHS website or call the surgery on 01843 848818.
How do patients rate Birchington Medical Centre?
In the 2026 NHS GP Patient Survey, 71% of patients at Birchington Medical Centre said their overall experience was good. The England average is 77%. 48% found it easy to get through by phone (England 57%). Its GPScore is 23 out of 100, grade D, which puts it in the second-worst 20% of GP surgeries in England.
What is the inspection rating for Birchington Medical Centre?
The Care Quality Commission, which inspects GP surgeries in England, rated Birchington Medical Centre as Good at its last published inspection (report published 22 September 2021).
What are the opening times of Birchington Medical Centre?
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 9 October 2024. Bank holidays may differ.
How do I contact Birchington Medical Centre?
Call 01843 848818. You can also book and order repeat prescriptions in the NHS App. The address is Minnis Road, Birchington, CT7 9HQ.
Does Birchington Medical Centre have a branch surgery?
Yes. Birchington Medical Centre also runs Orchard House Surgery (Bleak Road, Lydd, Romney Marsh, TN29 9AE). Patients register with the practice and can usually be seen at either site.
How many patients are registered at Birchington Medical Centre?
Around 12,795 patients are registered (January 2025). The surgery is part of Ramsgate 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.