GP surgery in Birtley
Birtley Medical Group
Durham Road, Birtley, Chester Le Street, DH3 2QT
Scores 20 out of 100, below average for a GP surgery in England. 67% 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 2025. 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 17
- Easy to get through on the phone24
- Easy to contact online22
- Good experience of getting in touch10
- Did not wait too long for the appointment34
Quality of care 29
- Patients rate the surgery as good15
- Patients got what they needed53
- Doctors and nurses listen50
- Patients trust the staff31
- Inspection rating (Good)50
- Health checks and screening done46
- Meets NHS clinical targets46
- Children vaccinated on time44
What patients say
130 patients answered the 2026 NHS survey about this surgery.
48%
find the phone easy
well below the England average (57%)
67%
say their experience is good
well below the England average (77%)
-9
change since last year
2025: 76% · 2026: 67%
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% | 36% |
| Easy to contact via website | 45% | 58% | 53% |
| Easy to contact via NHS App | 54% | 54% | 49% |
| Reception staff helpful | 73% | 85% | 79% |
| Seeing the same person | |||
| Has a preferred clinician | 18% | 31% | 20% |
| Sees preferred clinician | 21% | 42% | 37% |
| What happened when they got in touch | |||
| Knew what would happen next | 79% | 84% | 73% |
| Next steps within 2 days | 90% | 93% | 94% |
| Good experience of contacting | 57% | 73% | 59% |
| The appointment | |||
| Offered a choice of time or day | 50% | 57% | 51% |
| Waiting time was about right | 66% | 69% | 76% |
| Remote appointment | 30% | 26% | 23% |
| The doctor or nurse | |||
| Good at listening | 88% | 87% | 88% |
| Treated with care and concern | 87% | 86% | 83% |
| Considered mental wellbeing | 79% | 75% | 75% |
| Had all the information needed | 91% | 92% | 91% |
| Confidence and trust | 91% | 93% | 92% |
| Involved in decisions | 92% | 92% | 90% |
| Needs were met | 92% | 90% | 94% |
| Overall | |||
| Overall experience good | 67% | 77% | 76% |
| Living with a long-term condition | |||
| Confident managing conditions | 76% | 79% | 84% |
| Supported by local services | 73% | 70% | 76% |
| Discussed managing condition | 42% | 43% | 39% |
| Agreed a care plan | 45% | 46% | 45% |
Green means at least 2 points better than England, red at least 2 points worse. With about 130 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 | 7am to 6:30pm |
| Tuesday | 7am to 8pm |
| Wednesday | 7am to 8pm |
| Thursday | 7am to 6:30pm |
| Friday | 7am to 6:30pm |
| Saturday | Closed |
| Sunday | Closed |
Confirmed by the surgery on 30 October 2025. Bank holidays may differ.
- Address
- Durham Road, Birtley, Chester Le Street, DH3 2QT
- Phone
- 0191 492 1022
- Online
- Book, order repeat prescriptions and see records in the NHS App
- Works with
- Birtley and Central Gateshead PCN (a group of local surgeries that share services)
- NHS code
- A85008 · NHS profile
Access and facilities
- Accessible toilets
- Baby-changing facilities
- Bus stop nearby
- Disability awareness and equality training for staff
- Disabled car parking
- Documents available in Braille
- Documents available in large print
- Enhanced lighting
- Free NHS WiFi
- Free on-site car parking
- Hearing loop or induction loop: helps to improve sound for hearing aid users
- Off-site car parking nearby
- Sign language interpreter available in-person
- Sign language interpreter available online
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 | 21.1% | 15.2% |
| Diabetes | 9.5% | 7.9% |
| Asthma | 7.5% | 6.6% |
| COPD | 3.1% | 1.9% |
| Coronary heart disease | 4.2% | 3.0% |
| Depression | 17.4% | 14.3% |
| Obesity | 20.0% | 13.9% |
| Smoking | 13.9% | 13.5% |
Health checks done
| Check | Here | England |
|---|---|---|
| Cervical screening, women 25-49 | 75% | 67% |
| Cervical screening, women 50-64 | 73% | 75% |
| Blood pressure controlled (hypertension, under 80) | 68% | 68% |
| Blood pressure checked in last 5 years (45+) | 89% | 87% |
| Diabetes: blood pressure on target | 74% | 75% |
| Diabetes: blood sugar (HbA1c) on target | 52% | 57% |
| Diabetes: annual foot check | 76% | 78% |
| Asthma: annual review | 72% | 66% |
Other surgeries nearby
| Surgery | Distance | Score | Easy by phone | Rated good | New patients |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Birtley Medical Groupthis surgery | – | 20 | 48% | 67% | Yes |
| Rickleton Medical CentreWashington, NE38 9EH | 1.4 miles | 92 | 90% | 94% | Yes |
| Pelton & Fellrose Medical GroupChester Le Street, DH2 1HS | 1.7 miles | 30 | 51% | 72% | Yes |
| Sunderland GP Alliance Medical PracticeWashington, NE38 7NQ | 1.9 miles | 18 | 37% | 80% | Yes |
| Galleries Medical PracticeWashington, NE38 7NQ | 1.9 miles | 43 | 67% | 78% | Yes |
| I J HealthcareWashington, NE38 9AB | 1.9 miles | 68 | 86% | 80% | Yes |
| Bridge End SurgeryChester Le Street, DH3 3SL | 2.3 miles | 43 | 35% | 78% | Yes |
| Wrekenton Medical GroupGateshead, NE9 7AD | 2.4 miles | 22 | 61% | 70% | Yes |
| Middle Chare Medical GroupChester Le Street, DH3 3QD | 2.5 miles | 39 | 35% | 79% | Yes |
| Concord Medical PracticeWashington, NE37 2PU | 2.5 miles | 49 | 68% | 73% | Yes |
Rickleton Medical Centre is 1.4 miles away, scores 92 and is taking on new patients. You can usually join any surgery that covers your address.
Common questions
Is Birtley Medical Group taking on new patients?
Yes. When we last checked its page on the NHS website (20 September 2026), Birtley Medical Group was taking on new patients. You can register online through the NHS website or call the surgery on 0191 492 1022.
How do patients rate Birtley Medical Group?
In the 2026 NHS GP Patient Survey, 67% of patients at Birtley Medical Group 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 20 out of 100, grade D, which puts it in the second-worst 20% of GP surgeries in England.
What is the inspection rating for Birtley Medical Group?
The Care Quality Commission, which inspects GP surgeries in England, rated Birtley Medical Group as Good at its last published inspection (report published 19 May 2025).
What are the opening times of Birtley Medical Group?
Reception is open Monday 7am to 6:30pm, Tuesday 7am to 8pm, Wednesday 7am to 8pm, Thursday 7am to 6:30pm, Friday 7am to 6:30pm, Saturday closed, Sunday closed. The surgery last confirmed these times on 30 October 2025. Bank holidays may differ.
How do I contact Birtley Medical Group?
Call 0191 492 1022. You can also book and order repeat prescriptions in the NHS App. The address is Durham Road, Birtley, Chester Le Street, DH3 2QT.
How many patients are registered at Birtley Medical Group?
Around 15,309 patients are registered (January 2025). The surgery is part of Birtley and Central Gateshead 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.