GP surgery in Sturminster
Blackmore Vale Partnership
Old Market Hill, Sturminster Newton, DT10 1QU
Scores 79 out of 100, good for a GP surgery in England. 87% 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 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 70
- Easy to get through on the phone63
- Easy to contact online68
- Good experience of getting in touch65
- Did not wait too long for the appointment71
Quality of care 86
- Patients rate the surgery as good79
- Patients got what they needed89
- Doctors and nurses listen82
- Patients trust the staff73
- Inspection rating (Good)50
- Health checks and screening done69
- Meets NHS clinical targets64
- Children vaccinated on time58
What patients say
122 patients answered the 2026 NHS survey about this surgery.
68%
find the phone easy
well above the England average (57%)
87%
say their experience is good
well above the England average (77%)
-2
change since last year
2025: 89% · 2026: 87%
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% | 59% |
| Easy to contact via website | 65% | 58% | 76% |
| Easy to contact via NHS App | 51% | 54% | 70% |
| Reception staff helpful | 94% | 85% | 91% |
| Seeing the same person | |||
| Has a preferred clinician | 28% | 31% | 23% |
| Sees preferred clinician | 46% | 42% | 49% |
| What happened when they got in touch | |||
| Knew what would happen next | 91% | 84% | 93% |
| Next steps within 2 days | 94% | 93% | 92% |
| Good experience of contacting | 80% | 73% | 84% |
| The appointment | |||
| Offered a choice of time or day | 58% | 57% | 71% |
| Waiting time was about right | 78% | 69% | 76% |
| Remote appointment | 19% | 26% | 17% |
| The doctor or nurse | |||
| Good at listening | 93% | 87% | 94% |
| Treated with care and concern | 92% | 86% | 94% |
| Considered mental wellbeing | 73% | 75% | 67% |
| Had all the information needed | 93% | 92% | 92% |
| Confidence and trust | 96% | 93% | 96% |
| Involved in decisions | 97% | 92% | 98% |
| Needs were met | 97% | 90% | 97% |
| Overall | |||
| Overall experience good | 87% | 77% | 89% |
| Living with a long-term condition | |||
| Confident managing conditions | 88% | 79% | 82% |
| Supported by local services | 84% | 70% | 88% |
| Discussed managing condition | 39% | 43% | 47% |
| Agreed a care plan | 54% | 46% | 40% |
Green means at least 2 points better than England, red at least 2 points worse. With about 122 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 5 June 2025. Bank holidays may differ.
- Address
- Old Market Hill, Sturminster Newton, DT10 1QU
- Phone
- 01258 474500
- [email protected]
- Website
- www.blackmorevalesurgery.co.uk
- Online
- Book, order repeat prescriptions and see records in the NHS App
- Works with
- The Vale PCN (a group of local surgeries that share services)
- NHS code
- J81620 · NHS profile
Branch surgeries
Run by this practice from another building. Patients register with the practice, not the branch.
- Abbey View Medical Centre
- Salisbury Road, Shaftesbury, SP7 8DH
- Fontmell Magna Surgery
- West Street, Fontmell Magna, Shaftesbury, SP7 0PF
- Marnhull Surgery
- Church Hill, Marnhull, Sturminster Newton, DT10 1PU
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 | 22.2% | 15.2% |
| Diabetes | 8.1% | 7.9% |
| Asthma | 7.4% | 6.6% |
| COPD | 2.2% | 1.9% |
| Coronary heart disease | 4.6% | 3.0% |
| Depression | 12.9% | 14.3% |
| Obesity | 17.2% | 13.9% |
| Smoking | 12.9% | 13.5% |
Health checks done
| Check | Here | England |
|---|---|---|
| Cervical screening, women 25-49 | 69% | 67% |
| Cervical screening, women 50-64 | 80% | 75% |
| Blood pressure controlled (hypertension, under 80) | 66% | 68% |
| Blood pressure checked in last 5 years (45+) | 88% | 87% |
| Diabetes: blood pressure on target | 75% | 75% |
| Diabetes: blood sugar (HbA1c) on target | 61% | 57% |
| Diabetes: annual foot check | 92% | 78% |
| Asthma: annual review | 74% | 66% |
Other surgeries nearby
| Surgery | Distance | Score | Easy by phone | Rated good | New patients |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blackmore Vale Partnershipthis surgery | – | 79 | 68% | 87% | Yes |
| Gillingham Medical PracticeGillingham, SP8 4XS | 7.6 miles | 46 | 51% | 76% | Yes |
| Milton Abbas SurgeryBlandford Forum, DT11 0AT | 7.7 miles | 100 | 99% | 99% | Yes |
| The Blandford Group PracticeBlandford Forum, DT11 7BH | 7.7 miles | 47 | 42% | 73% | Yes |
| Milborne Port SurgerySherborne, DT9 5FH | 7.8 miles | 94 | 90% | 92% | Yes |
| The Apples Medical CentreSherborne, DT9 3DG | 9.0 miles | 85 | 81% | 88% | Yes |
| The Grove Medical CentreSherborne, DT9 4DL | 9.3 miles | 92 | 78% | 92% | Yes |
| Wincanton Health CentreWincanton, BA9 9FQ | 10.0 miles | 32 | 62% | 68% | Yes |
| Silton SurgeryGillingham, SP8 5DF | 10.1 miles | 97 | 100% | 96% | Yes |
| Cerne Abbas SurgeryDorchester, DT2 7JG | 11.1 miles | 91 | 96% | 91% | Yes |
Milton Abbas Surgery is 7.7 miles away, scores 100 and is taking on new patients. You can usually join any surgery that covers your address.
Common questions
Is Blackmore Vale Partnership taking on new patients?
Yes. When we last checked its page on the NHS website (20 September 2026), Blackmore Vale Partnership was taking on new patients. You can register online through the NHS website or call the surgery on 01258 474500.
How do patients rate Blackmore Vale Partnership?
In the 2026 NHS GP Patient Survey, 87% of patients at Blackmore Vale Partnership 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 79 out of 100, grade B, which puts it in the second-best 20% of GP surgeries in England.
What is the inspection rating for Blackmore Vale Partnership?
The Care Quality Commission, which inspects GP surgeries in England, rated Blackmore Vale Partnership as Good at its last published inspection (report published 2 January 2025).
What are the opening times of Blackmore Vale Partnership?
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 5 June 2025. Bank holidays may differ.
How do I contact Blackmore Vale Partnership?
Call 01258 474500 or visit its website, www.blackmorevalesurgery.co.uk. You can also book and order repeat prescriptions in the NHS App. The address is Old Market Hill, Sturminster Newton, DT10 1QU.
Does Blackmore Vale Partnership have a branch surgery?
Yes. Blackmore Vale Partnership also runs Abbey View Medical Centre (Salisbury Road, Shaftesbury, SP7 8DH) and Fontmell Magna Surgery (West Street, Fontmell Magna, Shaftesbury, SP7 0PF) and Marnhull Surgery (Church Hill, Marnhull, Sturminster Newton, DT10 1PU). Patients register with the practice and can usually be seen at either site.
How many patients are registered at Blackmore Vale Partnership?
Around 26,868 patients are registered (January 2025). The surgery is part of The Vale PCN, a group of local surgeries that share staff and services, in the Dorset 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.