GP surgery in Bishop Auckland
Bishopgate Medical Centre
178 Newgate Street, Bishop Auckland, DL14 7EJ
Scores 88 out of 100, excellent for a GP surgery in England. 91% of patients say their experience is good and 65% find it easy to get through on the phone (England: 77% and 57%). Inspectors rated it Good in 2016. 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 81
- Easy to get through on the phone56
- Easy to contact online74
- Good experience of getting in touch75
- Did not wait too long for the appointment96
Quality of care 93
- Patients rate the surgery as good88
- Patients got what they needed96
- Doctors and nurses listen92
- Patients trust the staff94
- Inspection rating (Good)50
- Health checks and screening done23
- Meets NHS clinical targets97
- Children vaccinated on time96
What patients say
108 patients answered the 2026 NHS survey about this surgery.
65%
find the phone easy
well above the England average (57%)
90%
say their experience is good
well above the England average (77%)
0
change since last year
2025: 90% · 2026: 91%
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 | 65% | 57% | 60% |
| Easy to contact via website | 68% | 58% | 38% |
| Easy to contact via NHS App | 53% | 54% | 41% |
| Reception staff helpful | 88% | 85% | 86% |
| Seeing the same person | |||
| Has a preferred clinician | 26% | 31% | 37% |
| Sees preferred clinician | 37% | 42% | 27% |
| What happened when they got in touch | |||
| Knew what would happen next | 91% | 84% | 84% |
| Next steps within 2 days | 99% | 93% | 97% |
| Good experience of contacting | 84% | 73% | 77% |
| The appointment | |||
| Offered a choice of time or day | 68% | 57% | 64% |
| Waiting time was about right | 92% | 69% | 86% |
| Remote appointment | 15% | 26% | 14% |
| The doctor or nurse | |||
| Good at listening | 96% | 87% | 93% |
| Treated with care and concern | 96% | 86% | 91% |
| Considered mental wellbeing | 88% | 75% | 85% |
| Had all the information needed | 97% | 92% | 94% |
| Confidence and trust | 99% | 93% | 93% |
| Involved in decisions | 91% | 92% | 92% |
| Needs were met | 98% | 90% | 93% |
| Overall | |||
| Overall experience good | 90% | 77% | 90% |
| Living with a long-term condition | |||
| Confident managing conditions | 78% | 79% | 72% |
| Supported by local services | 71% | 70% | 81% |
| Discussed managing condition | 50% | 43% | 38% |
| Agreed a care plan | 37% | 46% | 31% |
Green means at least 2 points better than England, red at least 2 points worse. With about 108 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 | 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 1 April 2026. Bank holidays may differ.
- Address
- 178 Newgate Street, Bishop Auckland, DL14 7EJ
- Phone
- 01388 660990
- [email protected]
- Online
- Book, order repeat prescriptions and see records in the NHS App
- Works with
- Bishop Auckland PCN (a group of local surgeries that share services)
- NHS code
- A83025 · NHS profile
Branch surgery
Run by this practice from another building. Patients register with the practice, not the branch.
- The Eden Centre
- Coundon Health Centre, Victoria Lane, Coundon, Bishop Auckland, DL14 8NP · 01388 604526
Access and facilities
- Accessible toilets
- Baby-changing facilities
- Bus stop nearby
- Free NHS WiFi
- Free on-site car parking
- High-back waiting room chairs
- Step-free access at entrances and exits
- Toilets
- Wheelchair access at entrances and exits
- Wheelchair access throughout
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 May 2016
This rating is 10 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? | Outstanding |
| 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 | 17.9% | 15.2% |
| Diabetes | 11.5% | 7.9% |
| Asthma | 8.5% | 6.6% |
| COPD | 3.2% | 1.9% |
| Coronary heart disease | 4.2% | 3.0% |
| Depression | 8.9% | 14.3% |
| Obesity | 18.6% | 13.9% |
| Smoking | 16.8% | 13.5% |
Health checks done
| Check | Here | England |
|---|---|---|
| Cervical screening, women 25-49 | 76% | 67% |
| Cervical screening, women 50-64 | 75% | 75% |
| Blood pressure controlled (hypertension, under 80) | 79% | 68% |
| Blood pressure checked in last 5 years (45+) | 91% | 87% |
| Diabetes: blood pressure on target | 84% | 75% |
| Diabetes: blood sugar (HbA1c) on target | 55% | 57% |
| Diabetes: annual foot check | 70% | 78% |
| Asthma: annual review | 43% | 66% |
Other surgeries nearby
| Surgery | Distance | Score | Easy by phone | Rated good | New patients |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bishopgate Medical Centrethis surgery | – | 88 | 65% | 91% | Yes |
| Station View Medical CentreBishop Auckland, DL14 6AB | 0.2 miles | 64 | 66% | 83% | Yes |
| Auckland Medical GroupBishop Auckland, DL14 6RP | 0.8 miles | 72 | 70% | 88% | Yes |
| Hallgarth SurgeryShildon, DL4 2HP | 2.1 miles | 70 | 77% | 76% | Yes |
| Willington Medical GroupCrook, DL15 0EQ | 3.6 miles | 69 | 71% | 87% | Yes |
| Bishops Close Medical PracticeSpennymoor, DL16 6ED | 4.2 miles | 61 | 71% | 82% | Yes |
| St Andrew's Medical PracticeSpennymoor, DL16 6QA | 4.2 miles | 82 | 66% | 83% | Yes |
| Evenwood Medical PracticeBishop Auckland, DL14 9SU | 4.3 miles | 97 | 91% | 93% | Yes |
| Jubilee Medical GroupNewton Aycliffe, DL5 4SE | 4.3 miles | 32 | 58% | 81% | Yes |
| Pease Way Medical CentreNewton Aycliffe, DL5 5NH | 4.9 miles | 16 | 53% | 65% | Yes |
Common questions
Is Bishopgate Medical Centre taking on new patients?
Yes. When we last checked its page on the NHS website (20 September 2026), Bishopgate Medical Centre was taking on new patients. You can register online through the NHS website or call the surgery on 01388 660990.
How do patients rate Bishopgate Medical Centre?
In the 2026 NHS GP Patient Survey, 91% of patients at Bishopgate Medical Centre said their overall experience was good. The England average is 77%. 65% found it easy to get through by phone (England 57%). Its GPScore is 88 out of 100, grade A, which puts it in the top 20% of GP surgeries in England.
What is the inspection rating for Bishopgate Medical Centre?
The Care Quality Commission, which inspects GP surgeries in England, rated Bishopgate Medical Centre as Good at its last published inspection (report published 11 May 2016).
What are the opening times of Bishopgate 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 1 April 2026. Bank holidays may differ.
How do I contact Bishopgate Medical Centre?
Call 01388 660990. You can also book and order repeat prescriptions in the NHS App. The address is 178 Newgate Street, Bishop Auckland, DL14 7EJ.
Does Bishopgate Medical Centre have a branch surgery?
Yes. Bishopgate Medical Centre also runs The Eden Centre (Coundon Health Centre, Victoria Lane, Coundon, Bishop Auckland, DL14 8NP). Patients register with the practice and can usually be seen at either site.
How many patients are registered at Bishopgate Medical Centre?
Around 13,691 patients are registered (January 2025). The surgery is part of Bishop Auckland 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.