GP surgery in Patcham

Carden Surgery

County Oak Medical Centre, Carden Hill, Brighton, BN1 8DD

Taking on new patientsInspection: Good8,705 patients

Scores 65 out of 100, good for a GP surgery in England. 94% of patients say their experience is good and 69% find it easy to get through on the phone (England: 77% and 57%). Inspectors rated it Good in 2018. It is taking on new patients.

Good Scores higher than 65% of GP surgeries in England. 2nd of 2 in Patcham Based on 115 patient survey replies, the inspection rating and NHS records.

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 53

  • Easy to get through on the phone64
  • Easy to contact online33
  • Good experience of getting in touch68
  • Did not wait too long for the appointment32

Quality of care 78

  • Patients rate the surgery as good95
  • Patients got what they needed67
  • Doctors and nurses listen89
  • Patients trust the staff60
  • Inspection rating (Good)50
  • Health checks and screening done17
  • Meets NHS clinical targets55
  • Children vaccinated on time46

What patients say

115 patients answered the 2026 NHS survey about this surgery.

69%

find the phone easy

well above the England average (57%)

94%

say their experience is good

well above the England average (77%)

+9

change since last year

2025: 85% · 2026: 94%

Getting in touch

Contacted the surgery by phone76%
Had their call answered straight away22%
Gave up or got no answer2%
Knew what would happen next straight away87%

The appointment

Were seen the same day23%
Waited more than a week35%
Were seen face to face82%
Saw a GP (rather than a nurse or other staff)73%
All survey questions, compared with England
What patients saidThis surgeryEnglandLast year
Getting in touch
Easy to get through by phone 69% 57% 65%
Easy to contact via website 51% 58% 57%
Easy to contact via NHS App 49% 54% 66%
Reception staff helpful 87% 85% 93%
Seeing the same person
Has a preferred clinician 36% 31% 28%
Sees preferred clinician 57% 42% 25%
What happened when they got in touch
Knew what would happen next 88% 84% 90%
Next steps within 2 days 99% 93% 97%
Good experience of contacting 81% 73% 78%
The appointment
Offered a choice of time or day 69% 57% 68%
Waiting time was about right 65% 69% 63%
Remote appointment 18% 26% 22%
The doctor or nurse
Good at listening 95% 87% 89%
Treated with care and concern 91% 86% 87%
Considered mental wellbeing 79% 75% 71%
Had all the information needed 94% 92% 96%
Confidence and trust 95% 93% 94%
Involved in decisions 95% 92% 91%
Needs were met 93% 90% 96%
Overall
Overall experience good 94% 77% 85%
Living with a long-term condition
Confident managing conditions 73% 79% 85%
Supported by local services 69% 70% 87%
Discussed managing condition 51% 43% 49%
Agreed a care plan 49% 46% 64%

Green means at least 2 points better than England, red at least 2 points worse. With about 115 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.

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1 of 10Last time you needed a routine appointment, how long did you wait?

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Opening times and contact

Monday8:30am to 1pm 1:30pm to 6:30pm
Tuesday8:30am to 1pm 1:30pm to 6:30pm
Wednesday8:30am to 1pm 1:30pm to 6:30pm
Thursday8:30am to 1pm
Friday8:30am to 1pm 1:30pm to 6:30pm
SaturdayClosed
SundayClosed

Confirmed by the surgery on 28 June 2012. Bank holidays may differ.

Address
County Oak Medical Centre, Carden Hill, Brighton, BN1 8DD
Phone
01273 500155
Website
www.cardensurgery.co.uk
Online
Book, order repeat prescriptions and see records in the NHS App
Works with
North & Central Brighton PCN (a group of local surgeries that share services)
NHS code
G81014 · NHS profile

Branch surgeries

Run by this practice from another building. Patients register with the practice, not the branch.

Craigie
The Surgery, 16 Beatty Avenue, Coldean, Brighton, BN1 9ED · 01273 682682
New Larchwood
Waldron Avenue, Brighton, BN1 9EZ

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 29 January 2018

This rating is 8 years old. The CQC has not published a newer inspection.

Read the inspection report

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

8,705registered patients
Poorer than mosthow well off the local area is
83.2years life expectancy locally (England 83.0)

Common health conditions

ConditionHereEngland
Hypertension11.6%15.2%
Diabetes5.8%7.9%
Asthma6.5%6.6%
COPD2.1%1.9%
Coronary heart disease2.4%3.0%
Depression19.7%14.3%
Obesity12.4%13.9%
Smoking15.6%13.5%

Health checks done

CheckHereEngland
Cervical screening, women 25-4970%67%
Cervical screening, women 50-6476%75%
Blood pressure controlled (hypertension, under 80)60%68%
Blood pressure checked in last 5 years (45+)90%87%
Diabetes: blood pressure on target62%75%
Diabetes: blood sugar (HbA1c) on target60%57%
Diabetes: annual foot check74%78%
Asthma: annual review53%66%

Other surgeries nearby

All surgeries in Patcham →

SurgeryDistanceScoreEasy by phoneRated goodNew patients
Carden Surgerythis surgery6569%94%Yes
Warmdene SurgeryBrighton, BN1 8DDunder 0.1 miles8877%90%Yes
School House SurgeryBrighton, BN1 7GF1.2 miles1251%68%Yes
The Avenue SurgeryBrighton, BN2 4GF1.4 miles319%59%Yes
The Haven PracticeBrighton, BN1 6HE1.5 miles9191%91%No
Health Centre University of Sussex Health CentreBrighton, BN1 9DN1.8 miles3067%70%Yes
Preston Park SurgeryBrighton, BN1 6DP1.8 miles1840%73%Yes
Stanford Medical CentreBrighton, BN1 6AG1.9 miles6471%82%Yes
Beaconsfield Medical PracticeBrighton, BN1 6AG1.9 miles5859%87%Yes
Park Crescent Health CentreBrighton, BN2 3HP2.1 miles1034%61%Yes

Warmdene Surgery is under 0.1 miles away, scores 88 and is taking on new patients. You can usually join any surgery that covers your address.

Common questions

Is Carden Surgery taking on new patients?

Yes. When we last checked its page on the NHS website (20 September 2026), Carden Surgery was taking on new patients. You can register online through the NHS website or call the surgery on 01273 500155.

How do patients rate Carden Surgery?

In the 2026 NHS GP Patient Survey, 94% of patients at Carden Surgery said their overall experience was good. The England average is 77%. 69% found it easy to get through by phone (England 57%). Its GPScore is 65 out of 100, grade B, which puts it in the second-best 20% of GP surgeries in England.

What is the inspection rating for Carden Surgery?

The Care Quality Commission, which inspects GP surgeries in England, rated Carden Surgery as Good at its last published inspection (report published 29 January 2018).

What are the opening times of Carden Surgery?

Reception is open Monday 8:30am to 1pm 1:30pm to 6:30pm, Tuesday 8:30am to 1pm 1:30pm to 6:30pm, Wednesday 8:30am to 1pm 1:30pm to 6:30pm, Thursday 8:30am to 1pm, Friday 8:30am to 1pm 1:30pm to 6:30pm, Saturday closed, Sunday closed. The surgery last confirmed these times on 28 June 2012. Bank holidays may differ.

How do I contact Carden Surgery?

Call 01273 500155 or visit its website, www.cardensurgery.co.uk. You can also book and order repeat prescriptions in the NHS App. The address is County Oak Medical Centre, Carden Hill, Brighton, BN1 8DD.

Does Carden Surgery have a branch surgery?

Yes. Carden Surgery also runs Craigie (The Surgery, 16 Beatty Avenue, Coldean, Brighton, BN1 9ED) and New Larchwood (Waldron Avenue, Brighton, BN1 9EZ). Patients register with the practice and can usually be seen at either site.

How many patients are registered at Carden Surgery?

Around 8,705 patients are registered (January 2025). The surgery is part of North & Central Brighton PCN, a group of local surgeries that share staff and services, in the Surrey and Sussex 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.