GP surgery in Welwyn Hatfield
Bridge Cottage Surgery
41 High Street, Welwyn, AL6 9EF
Scores 30 out of 100, below average for a GP surgery in England. 69% 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 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 35
- Easy to get through on the phone44
- Easy to contact online58
- Good experience of getting in touch35
- Did not wait too long for the appointment29
Quality of care 27
- Patients rate the surgery as good19
- Patients got what they needed32
- Doctors and nurses listen30
- Patients trust the staff53
- Inspection rating (Good)50
- Health checks and screening done54
- Meets NHS clinical targets44
- Children vaccinated on time37
What patients say
110 patients answered the 2026 NHS survey about this surgery.
59%
find the phone easy
above the England average (57%)
69%
say their experience is good
below the England average (77%)
-5
change since last year
2025: 74% · 2026: 69%
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% | 54% |
| Easy to contact via website | 61% | 58% | 43% |
| Easy to contact via NHS App | 35% | 54% | 40% |
| Reception staff helpful | 87% | 85% | 81% |
| Seeing the same person | |||
| Has a preferred clinician | 33% | 31% | 20% |
| Sees preferred clinician | 20% | 42% | 38% |
| What happened when they got in touch | |||
| Knew what would happen next | 78% | 84% | 83% |
| Next steps within 2 days | 95% | 93% | 96% |
| Good experience of contacting | 70% | 73% | 67% |
| The appointment | |||
| Offered a choice of time or day | 49% | 57% | 53% |
| Waiting time was about right | 64% | 69% | 70% |
| Remote appointment | 22% | 26% | 14% |
| The doctor or nurse | |||
| Good at listening | 84% | 87% | 86% |
| Treated with care and concern | 82% | 86% | 83% |
| Considered mental wellbeing | 75% | 75% | 64% |
| Had all the information needed | 91% | 92% | 89% |
| Confidence and trust | 94% | 93% | 95% |
| Involved in decisions | 88% | 92% | 93% |
| Needs were met | 88% | 90% | 94% |
| Overall | |||
| Overall experience good | 69% | 77% | 74% |
| Living with a long-term condition | |||
| Confident managing conditions | 79% | 79% | 84% |
| Supported by local services | 61% | 70% | 70% |
| Discussed managing condition | 34% | 43% | 21% |
| Agreed a care plan | 20% | 46% | 54% |
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 6pm |
| Tuesday | 8am to 6pm |
| Wednesday | 8am to 6pm |
| Thursday | 8am to 6pm |
| Friday | 8am to 6pm |
| Saturday | Closed |
| Sunday | Closed |
Confirmed by the surgery on 26 October 2023. Bank holidays may differ.
- Address
- 41 High Street, Welwyn, AL6 9EF
- Phone
- 01438 715044
- [email protected]
- Online
- Book, order repeat prescriptions and see records in the NHS App
- Works with
- Welwyn Allied PCN (a group of local surgeries that share services)
- NHS code
- E82019 · NHS profile
Access and facilities
- Disabled toilet
- Induction loop
- Step-free access
- Wheelchair access
- Baby changing facility
- Baby changing facility
Pins show each surgery's score. Get directions
Inspection rating
By the Care Quality Commission, the NHS regulator
Good
overall, from the inspection published 23 June 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? | 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 | 16.3% | 15.2% |
| Diabetes | 6.1% | 7.9% |
| Asthma | 6.2% | 6.6% |
| COPD | 1.3% | 1.9% |
| Coronary heart disease | 3.2% | 3.0% |
| Depression | 10.2% | 14.3% |
| Obesity | 9.0% | 13.9% |
| Smoking | 8.1% | 13.5% |
Health checks done
| Check | Here | England |
|---|---|---|
| Cervical screening, women 25-49 | 77% | 67% |
| Cervical screening, women 50-64 | 79% | 75% |
| Blood pressure controlled (hypertension, under 80) | 65% | 68% |
| Blood pressure checked in last 5 years (45+) | 88% | 87% |
| Diabetes: blood pressure on target | 72% | 75% |
| Diabetes: blood sugar (HbA1c) on target | 62% | 57% |
| Diabetes: annual foot check | 82% | 78% |
| Asthma: annual review | 64% | 66% |
Other surgeries nearby
| Surgery | Distance | Score | Easy by phone | Rated good | New patients |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bridge Cottage Surgerythis surgery | – | 30 | 59% | 69% | Yes |
| The Garden City PracticeWelwyn Garden City, AL8 6EH | 2.3 miles | 35 | 45% | 75% | Yes |
| Peartree Lane SurgeryWelwyn Garden City, AL7 3UJ | 2.4 miles | 9 | 39% | 61% | Yes |
| Knebworth & Marymead PracticeKnebworth, SG3 6ER | 2.9 miles | 6 | 29% | 54% | Yes |
| Hall Grove Group PracticeWelwyn Garden City, AL7 4PL | 3.2 miles | 54 | 40% | 82% | Yes |
| Spring House HealthWelwyn Garden City, AL7 4HL | 3.4 miles | 9 | 46% | 61% | Yes |
| Whitwell SurgeryHitchin, SG4 8AG | 4.2 miles | 12 | 61% | 51% | Yes |
| Wrafton House SurgeryHatfield, AL10 0BS | 4.4 miles | 34 | 40% | 78% | Yes |
| Lister House SurgeryHatfield, AL10 0NL | 4.5 miles | 9 | 50% | 61% | Yes |
| Shephall Health CentreStevenage, SG2 9QZ | 4.7 miles | 53 | 49% | 79% | Yes |
Hall Grove Group Practice is 3.2 miles away, scores 54 and is taking on new patients. You can usually join any surgery that covers your address.
Common questions
Is Bridge Cottage Surgery taking on new patients?
Yes. When we last checked its page on the NHS website (20 September 2026), Bridge Cottage Surgery was taking on new patients. You can register online through the NHS website or call the surgery on 01438 715044.
How do patients rate Bridge Cottage Surgery?
In the 2026 NHS GP Patient Survey, 69% of patients at Bridge Cottage Surgery 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 30 out of 100, grade D, which puts it in the second-worst 20% of GP surgeries in England.
What is the inspection rating for Bridge Cottage Surgery?
The Care Quality Commission, which inspects GP surgeries in England, rated Bridge Cottage Surgery as Good at its last published inspection (report published 23 June 2016).
What are the opening times of Bridge Cottage Surgery?
Reception is open Monday 8am to 6pm, Tuesday 8am to 6pm, Wednesday 8am to 6pm, Thursday 8am to 6pm, Friday 8am to 6pm, Saturday closed, Sunday closed. The surgery last confirmed these times on 26 October 2023. Bank holidays may differ.
How do I contact Bridge Cottage Surgery?
Call 01438 715044. You can also book and order repeat prescriptions in the NHS App. The address is 41 High Street, Welwyn, AL6 9EF.
How many patients are registered at Bridge Cottage Surgery?
Around 15,699 patients are registered (January 2025). The surgery is part of Welwyn Allied PCN, a group of local surgeries that share staff and services, in the Central East 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.