GP surgery in County Durham
Bishops Close Medical Practice
Spennymoor Health Centre, Bishops Close, Spennymoor, DL16 6ED
Scores 61 out of 100, good for a GP surgery in England. 82% of patients say their experience is good and 71% 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 69
- Easy to get through on the phone67
- Easy to contact online22
- Good experience of getting in touch71
- Did not wait too long for the appointment74
Quality of care 47
- Patients rate the surgery as good59
- Patients got what they needed32
- Doctors and nurses listen12
- Patients trust the staff17
- Inspection rating (Good)50
- Health checks and screening done71
- Meets NHS clinical targets78
- Children vaccinated on time80
What patients say
116 patients answered the 2026 NHS survey about this surgery.
71%
find the phone easy
well above the England average (57%)
82%
say their experience is good
above the England average (77%)
-2
change since last year
2025: 83% · 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 | 71% | 57% | 61% |
| Easy to contact via website | 45% | 58% | 29% |
| Easy to contact via NHS App | 56% | 54% | 65% |
| Reception staff helpful | 89% | 85% | 96% |
| Seeing the same person | |||
| Has a preferred clinician | 29% | 31% | 23% |
| Sees preferred clinician | 40% | 42% | 42% |
| What happened when they got in touch | |||
| Knew what would happen next | 93% | 84% | 89% |
| Next steps within 2 days | 95% | 93% | 96% |
| Good experience of contacting | 82% | 73% | 75% |
| The appointment | |||
| Offered a choice of time or day | 67% | 57% | 70% |
| Waiting time was about right | 80% | 69% | 79% |
| Remote appointment | 23% | 26% | 15% |
| The doctor or nurse | |||
| Good at listening | 79% | 87% | 92% |
| Treated with care and concern | 82% | 86% | 90% |
| Considered mental wellbeing | 78% | 75% | 69% |
| Had all the information needed | 92% | 92% | 97% |
| Confidence and trust | 88% | 93% | 95% |
| Involved in decisions | 82% | 92% | 94% |
| Needs were met | 88% | 90% | 94% |
| Overall | |||
| Overall experience good | 82% | 77% | 83% |
| Living with a long-term condition | |||
| Confident managing conditions | 71% | 79% | 85% |
| Supported by local services | 75% | 70% | 86% |
| Discussed managing condition | 40% | 43% | 38% |
| Agreed a care plan | 28% | 46% | 46% |
Green means at least 2 points better than England, red at least 2 points worse. With about 116 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 1pm 2pm to 6pm |
| Tuesday | 8:30am to 1pm 2pm to 6pm |
| Wednesday | 8:30am to 1pm 2pm to 6pm |
| Thursday | 8:30am to 1pm 2pm to 6pm |
| Friday | 8:30am to 1pm 2pm to 6pm |
| Saturday | Closed |
| Sunday | Closed |
Confirmed by the surgery on 31 July 2024. Bank holidays may differ.
- Address
- Spennymoor Health Centre, Bishops Close, Spennymoor, DL16 6ED
- Phone
- 01388 811455
- [email protected]
- Website
- www.bishopsclosemedicalpractice.co.uk
- Online
- Book, order repeat prescriptions and see records in the NHS App
- Works with
- Sedgefield North PCN (a group of local surgeries that share services)
- NHS code
- A83052 · NHS profile
Access and facilities
- Disabled parking
- Disabled toilet
- Induction loop
- Step-free access
- Wheelchair access
- Car parking
- Cycle parking
- Disabled parking
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 | 21.7% | 15.2% |
| Diabetes | 10.0% | 7.9% |
| Asthma | 8.6% | 6.6% |
| COPD | 3.8% | 1.9% |
| Coronary heart disease | 5.2% | 3.0% |
| Depression | 16.0% | 14.3% |
| Obesity | 17.4% | 13.9% |
| Smoking | 14.2% | 13.5% |
Health checks done
| Check | Here | England |
|---|---|---|
| Cervical screening, women 25-49 | 80% | 67% |
| Cervical screening, women 50-64 | 81% | 75% |
| Blood pressure controlled (hypertension, under 80) | 75% | 68% |
| Blood pressure checked in last 5 years (45+) | 92% | 87% |
| Diabetes: blood pressure on target | 81% | 75% |
| Diabetes: blood sugar (HbA1c) on target | 51% | 57% |
| Diabetes: annual foot check | 89% | 78% |
| Asthma: annual review | 60% | 66% |
Other surgeries nearby
| Surgery | Distance | Score | Easy by phone | Rated good | New patients |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bishops Close Medical Practicethis surgery | – | 61 | 71% | 82% | Yes |
| St Andrew's Medical PracticeSpennymoor, DL16 6QA | under 0.1 miles | 82 | 66% | 83% | Yes |
| Ferryhill and Chilton Medical PracticeFerryhill, DL17 8JJ | 1.8 miles | 7 | 50% | 57% | Yes |
| West Cornforth Medical CentreFerryhill, DL17 9LH | 3.1 miles | 46 | 76% | 72% | Yes |
| The Medical GroupDurham, DH7 8NH | 3.6 miles | 83 | 76% | 86% | Yes |
| Bowburn Medical CentreDurham, DH6 5AL | 3.8 miles | 62 | 64% | 79% | Yes |
| Willington Medical GroupCrook, DL15 0EQ | 3.9 miles | 69 | 71% | 87% | Yes |
| Coxhoe Medical PracticeDurham, DH6 4DH | 3.9 miles | 60 | 67% | 80% | Yes |
| Bishopgate Medical CentreBishop Auckland, DL14 7EJ | 4.2 miles | 88 | 65% | 91% | Yes |
| Station View Medical CentreBishop Auckland, DL14 6AB | 4.3 miles | 64 | 66% | 83% | Yes |
St Andrew's Medical Practice is under 0.1 miles away, scores 82 and is taking on new patients. You can usually join any surgery that covers your address.
Common questions
Is Bishops Close Medical Practice taking on new patients?
Yes. When we last checked its page on the NHS website (20 September 2026), Bishops Close Medical Practice was taking on new patients. You can register online through the NHS website or call the surgery on 01388 811455.
How do patients rate Bishops Close Medical Practice?
In the 2026 NHS GP Patient Survey, 82% of patients at Bishops Close Medical Practice said their overall experience was good. The England average is 77%. 71% found it easy to get through by phone (England 57%). Its GPScore is 61 out of 100, grade B, which puts it in the second-best 20% of GP surgeries in England.
What is the inspection rating for Bishops Close Medical Practice?
The Care Quality Commission, which inspects GP surgeries in England, rated Bishops Close Medical Practice as Good at its last published inspection (report published 27 August 2026).
What are the opening times of Bishops Close Medical Practice?
Reception is open Monday 8:30am to 1pm 2pm to 6pm, Tuesday 8:30am to 1pm 2pm to 6pm, Wednesday 8:30am to 1pm 2pm to 6pm, Thursday 8:30am to 1pm 2pm to 6pm, Friday 8:30am to 1pm 2pm to 6pm, Saturday closed, Sunday closed. The surgery last confirmed these times on 31 July 2024. Bank holidays may differ.
How do I contact Bishops Close Medical Practice?
Call 01388 811455 or visit its website, www.bishopsclosemedicalpractice.co.uk. You can also book and order repeat prescriptions in the NHS App. The address is Spennymoor Health Centre, Bishops Close, Spennymoor, DL16 6ED.
How many patients are registered at Bishops Close Medical Practice?
Around 8,644 patients are registered (January 2025). The surgery is part of Sedgefield North 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.