GP surgery in Bolton
Bolton Community Practice
Waters Meeting Health Centre, Waters Meeting Road, Bolton, BL1 8TT
Scores 15 out of 100, poor for a GP surgery in England. 71% of patients say their experience is good and 52% 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 23
- Easy to get through on the phone32
- Easy to contact online41
- Good experience of getting in touch30
- Did not wait too long for the appointment19
Quality of care 9
- Patients rate the surgery as good25
- Patients got what they needed8
- Doctors and nurses listen24
- Patients trust the staff13
- Inspection rating (Good)50
- Health checks and screening done2
- Meets NHS clinical targets26
- Children vaccinated on time30
What patients say
110 patients answered the 2026 NHS survey about this surgery.
52%
find the phone easy
below the England average (57%)
71%
say their experience is good
below the England average (77%)
-3
change since last year
2025: 74% · 2026: 71%
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 | 52% | 57% | 55% |
| Easy to contact via website | 54% | 58% | 50% |
| Easy to contact via NHS App | 33% | 54% | 53% |
| Reception staff helpful | 82% | 85% | 88% |
| Seeing the same person | |||
| Has a preferred clinician | 32% | 31% | 47% |
| Sees preferred clinician | 39% | 42% | 31% |
| What happened when they got in touch | |||
| Knew what would happen next | 79% | 84% | 78% |
| Next steps within 2 days | 87% | 93% | 95% |
| Good experience of contacting | 68% | 73% | 71% |
| The appointment | |||
| Offered a choice of time or day | 38% | 57% | 51% |
| Waiting time was about right | 59% | 69% | 68% |
| Remote appointment | 16% | 26% | 21% |
| The doctor or nurse | |||
| Good at listening | 83% | 87% | 89% |
| Treated with care and concern | 80% | 86% | 85% |
| Considered mental wellbeing | 74% | 75% | 80% |
| Had all the information needed | 88% | 92% | 91% |
| Confidence and trust | 87% | 93% | 91% |
| Involved in decisions | 85% | 92% | 89% |
| Needs were met | 82% | 90% | 90% |
| Overall | |||
| Overall experience good | 71% | 77% | 74% |
| Living with a long-term condition | |||
| Confident managing conditions | 74% | 79% | 72% |
| Supported by local services | 66% | 70% | 70% |
| Discussed managing condition | 41% | 43% | 45% |
| Agreed a care plan | 31% | 46% | 38% |
Green means at least 2 points better than England, red at least 2 points worse. With about 110 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 8pm |
| Thursday | 8am to 6:30pm |
| Friday | 8am to 6:30pm |
| Saturday | 9am to 5pm |
| Sunday | Closed |
Confirmed by the surgery on 13 May 2023. Bank holidays may differ.
- Address
- Waters Meeting Health Centre, Waters Meeting Road, Bolton, BL1 8TT
- Phone
- 01204 284822
- [email protected]
- Online
- Book, order repeat prescriptions and see records in the NHS App
- Works with
- Horwich Network PCN (a group of local surgeries that share services)
- NHS code
- Y03079 · NHS profile
Branch surgeries
Run by this practice from another building. Patients register with the practice, not the branch.
- Ladybridge Surgery
- Ladybridge Surgery, 10-12 Broadgate, Bolton, BL3 4PZ
- the Market Surgery
- Horwich Health & Wellbeing Hub, Victoria Road, Horwich, Bolton, BL6 5PY
- Little Lever Health Centre & Library
- 63 Market Street, Little Lever, Bolton, BL3 1HH
Access and facilities
- Car 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 1 December 2016
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 | 14.0% | 15.2% |
| Diabetes | 10.1% | 7.9% |
| Asthma | 6.6% | 6.6% |
| COPD | 1.9% | 1.9% |
| Coronary heart disease | 2.8% | 3.0% |
| Depression | 16.4% | 14.3% |
| Obesity | 16.0% | 13.9% |
| Smoking | 12.8% | 13.5% |
Health checks done
| Check | Here | England |
|---|---|---|
| Cervical screening, women 25-49 | 56% | 67% |
| Cervical screening, women 50-64 | 64% | 75% |
| Blood pressure controlled (hypertension, under 80) | 53% | 68% |
| Blood pressure checked in last 5 years (45+) | 90% | 87% |
| Diabetes: blood pressure on target | 56% | 75% |
| Diabetes: blood sugar (HbA1c) on target | 52% | 57% |
| Diabetes: annual foot check | 46% | 78% |
| Asthma: annual review | 47% | 66% |
Other surgeries nearby
| Surgery | Distance | Score | Easy by phone | Rated good | New patients |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bolton Community Practicethis surgery | – | 15 | 52% | 71% | Yes |
| Burnside SurgeryBolton, BL1 8TT | 0.4 miles | 77 | 75% | 87% | Yes |
| Dr Sidda's Surgery, Waters Meeting Health CentreBolton, BL1 8TT | 0.4 miles | 28 | 67% | 72% | Yes |
| Halliwell Surgery 3Bolton, BL1 3RG | 0.6 miles | 56 | 87% | 81% | Yes |
| Halliwell Surgery 2Bolton, BL1 3RG | 0.6 miles | 90 | 90% | 87% | Yes |
| Dr Rizwan and Dr AwanBolton, BL1 3RG | 0.6 miles | 69 | 89% | 85% | Yes |
| The Oaks Family PracticeBolton, BL1 8UP | 0.6 miles | 25 | 60% | 70% | Yes |
| Crompton View SurgeryBolton, BL1 8UP | 0.6 miles | 97 | 83% | 98% | Yes |
| Mandalay Medical CentreBolton, BL1 7LR | 1.0 miles | 47 | 57% | 79% | Yes |
| Dalefield SurgeryBolton, BL1 4JP | 1.0 miles | 32 | 48% | 78% | Yes |
Burnside Surgery is 0.4 miles away, scores 77 and is taking on new patients. You can usually join any surgery that covers your address.
Common questions
Is Bolton Community Practice taking on new patients?
Yes. When we last checked its page on the NHS website (20 September 2026), Bolton Community Practice was taking on new patients. You can register online through the NHS website or call the surgery on 01204 284822.
How do patients rate Bolton Community Practice?
In the 2026 NHS GP Patient Survey, 71% of patients at Bolton Community Practice said their overall experience was good. The England average is 77%. 52% found it easy to get through by phone (England 57%). Its GPScore is 15 out of 100, grade E, which puts it in the bottom 20% of GP surgeries in England.
What is the inspection rating for Bolton Community Practice?
The Care Quality Commission, which inspects GP surgeries in England, rated Bolton Community Practice as Good at its last published inspection (report published 1 December 2016).
What are the opening times of Bolton Community Practice?
Reception is open Monday 8am to 6:30pm, Tuesday 8am to 6:30pm, Wednesday 8am to 8pm, Thursday 8am to 6:30pm, Friday 8am to 6:30pm, Saturday 9am to 5pm, Sunday closed. The surgery last confirmed these times on 13 May 2023. Bank holidays may differ.
How do I contact Bolton Community Practice?
Call 01204 284822. You can also book and order repeat prescriptions in the NHS App. The address is Waters Meeting Health Centre, Waters Meeting Road, Bolton, BL1 8TT.
Does Bolton Community Practice have a branch surgery?
Yes. Bolton Community Practice also runs Ladybridge Surgery (Ladybridge Surgery, 10-12 Broadgate, Bolton, BL3 4PZ) and the Market Surgery (Horwich Health & Wellbeing Hub, Victoria Road, Horwich, Bolton, BL6 5PY) and Little Lever Health Centre & Library (63 Market Street, Little Lever, Bolton, BL3 1HH). Patients register with the practice and can usually be seen at either site.
How many patients are registered at Bolton Community Practice?
Around 16,015 patients are registered (January 2025). The surgery is part of Horwich Network PCN, a group of local surgeries that share staff and services, in the Greater Manchester 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.