GP surgery in Maidstone
Blackthorn
Blackthorn Medical Centre, St. Andrews Road, Barming, Maidstone, ME16 9AL
Scores 45 out of 100, average for a GP surgery in England. 83% of patients say their experience is good and 59% find it easy to get through on the phone (England: 77% and 57%). Inspectors rated it Good in 2017. 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 37
- Easy to get through on the phone45
- Easy to contact online29
- Good experience of getting in touch60
- Did not wait too long for the appointment16
Quality of care 56
- Patients rate the surgery as good62
- Patients got what they needed45
- Doctors and nurses listen53
- Patients trust the staff25
- Inspection rating (Good)50
- Health checks and screening done78
- Meets NHS clinical targets58
- Children vaccinated on time43
What patients say
112 patients answered the 2026 NHS survey about this surgery.
59%
find the phone easy
above the England average (57%)
83%
say their experience is good
above the England average (77%)
+1
change since last year
2025: 81% · 2026: 83%
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 | 59% | 57% | 60% |
| Easy to contact via website | 49% | 58% | 40% |
| Easy to contact via NHS App | 49% | 54% | 47% |
| Reception staff helpful | 95% | 85% | 88% |
| Seeing the same person | |||
| Has a preferred clinician | 31% | 31% | 36% |
| Sees preferred clinician | 53% | 42% | 63% |
| What happened when they got in touch | |||
| Knew what would happen next | 84% | 84% | 91% |
| Next steps within 2 days | 95% | 93% | 98% |
| Good experience of contacting | 79% | 73% | 80% |
| The appointment | |||
| Offered a choice of time or day | 50% | 57% | 70% |
| Waiting time was about right | 57% | 69% | 61% |
| Remote appointment | 19% | 26% | 33% |
| The doctor or nurse | |||
| Good at listening | 89% | 87% | 88% |
| Treated with care and concern | 85% | 86% | 87% |
| Considered mental wellbeing | 74% | 75% | 75% |
| Had all the information needed | 91% | 92% | 95% |
| Confidence and trust | 90% | 93% | 94% |
| Involved in decisions | 85% | 92% | 95% |
| Needs were met | 90% | 90% | 91% |
| Overall | |||
| Overall experience good | 83% | 77% | 81% |
| Living with a long-term condition | |||
| Confident managing conditions | 88% | 79% | 85% |
| Supported by local services | 78% | 70% | 68% |
| Discussed managing condition | 39% | 43% | 46% |
| Agreed a care plan | 49% | 46% | 34% |
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 | 7:30am to 6:30pm |
| Tuesday | 7:30am to 6:30pm |
| Wednesday | 7:30am to 6:30pm |
| Thursday | 7:30am to 6:30pm |
| Friday | 7:30am to 6:30pm |
| Saturday | Closed |
| Sunday | Closed |
Confirmed by the surgery on 5 November 2025. Bank holidays may differ.
- Address
- Blackthorn Medical Centre, St. Andrews Road, Barming, Maidstone, ME16 9AL
- Phone
- 01622 726277
- [email protected]
- Online
- Book, order repeat prescriptions and see records in the NHS App
- Works with
- Abc PCN (a group of local surgeries that share services)
- NHS code
- G82098 · NHS profile
Access and facilities
- Disabled parking
- Disabled toilet
- Induction loop
- Step-free access
- Text relay
- Wheelchair access
- Baby changing facility
- Baby changing facility
- Car parking
- Cycle parking
- Disabled parking
Pins show each surgery's score. Get directions
Inspection rating
By the Care Quality Commission, the NHS regulator
Good
overall, from the inspection published 7 July 2017
This rating is 9 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? | 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 | 18.4% | 15.2% |
| Diabetes | 9.2% | 7.9% |
| Asthma | 7.1% | 6.6% |
| COPD | 2.2% | 1.9% |
| Coronary heart disease | 2.7% | 3.0% |
| Depression | 19.7% | 14.3% |
| Obesity | 15.2% | 13.9% |
| Smoking | 10.8% | 13.5% |
Health checks done
| Check | Here | England |
|---|---|---|
| Cervical screening, women 25-49 | 69% | 67% |
| Cervical screening, women 50-64 | 78% | 75% |
| Blood pressure controlled (hypertension, under 80) | 71% | 68% |
| Blood pressure checked in last 5 years (45+) | 89% | 87% |
| Diabetes: blood pressure on target | 81% | 75% |
| Diabetes: blood sugar (HbA1c) on target | 64% | 57% |
| Diabetes: annual foot check | 83% | 78% |
| Asthma: annual review | 74% | 66% |
Other surgeries nearby
| Surgery | Distance | Score | Easy by phone | Rated good | New patients |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blackthornthis surgery | – | 45 | 59% | 83% | Yes |
| Bower Mount Medical PracticeMaidstone, ME16 8AX | 0.9 miles | 44 | 42% | 77% | Yes |
| The Vine Medical CentreMaidstone, ME16 8RL | 1.2 miles | 18 | 53% | 62% | Yes |
| The College PracticeMaidstone, ME15 6SB | 1.5 miles | 2 | 27% | 59% | Yes |
| Brewer StreetMaidstone, ME14 1RU | 1.7 miles | 64 | 78% | 86% | Yes |
| Aylesford Medical CentreAylesford, ME20 7SE | 1.9 miles | 6 | 46% | 50% | Yes |
| The Medical Centre GroupMaidstone, ME15 7LN | 2.7 miles | 91 | 88% | 90% | No |
| Greensand Medical GroupMaidstone, ME17 4NU | 2.8 miles | 1 | 21% | 47% | Yes |
| WateringburyMaidstone, ME18 5SS | 2.8 miles | 62 | 66% | 84% | Yes |
| MoteMaidstone, ME15 9FL | 2.9 miles | 5 | 41% | 61% | Yes |
Brewer Street is 1.7 miles away, scores 64 and is taking on new patients. You can usually join any surgery that covers your address.
Common questions
Is Blackthorn taking on new patients?
Yes. When we last checked its page on the NHS website (20 September 2026), Blackthorn was taking on new patients. You can register online through the NHS website or call the surgery on 01622 726277.
How do patients rate Blackthorn?
In the 2026 NHS GP Patient Survey, 83% of patients at Blackthorn said their overall experience was good. The England average is 77%. 59% found it easy to get through by phone (England 57%). Its GPScore is 45 out of 100, grade C, which puts it in the middle 20% of GP surgeries in England.
What is the inspection rating for Blackthorn?
The Care Quality Commission, which inspects GP surgeries in England, rated Blackthorn as Good at its last published inspection (report published 7 July 2017).
What are the opening times of Blackthorn?
Reception is open Monday 7:30am to 6:30pm, Tuesday 7:30am to 6:30pm, Wednesday 7:30am to 6:30pm, Thursday 7:30am to 6:30pm, Friday 7:30am to 6:30pm, Saturday closed, Sunday closed. The surgery last confirmed these times on 5 November 2025. Bank holidays may differ.
How do I contact Blackthorn?
Call 01622 726277. You can also book and order repeat prescriptions in the NHS App. The address is Blackthorn Medical Centre, St. Andrews Road, Barming, Maidstone, ME16 9AL.
How many patients are registered at Blackthorn?
Around 8,451 patients are registered (January 2025). The surgery is part of Abc 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.