GP surgery in Cumberland
Castlehead Medical Centre
Ambleside Road, Keswick, CA12 4DB
Scores 54 out of 100, average for a GP surgery in England. 79% of patients say their experience is good and 73% 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.
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 58
- Easy to get through on the phone71
- Easy to contact online60
- Good experience of getting in touch60
- Did not wait too long for the appointment36
Quality of care 46
- Patients rate the surgery as good49
- Patients got what they needed54
- Doctors and nurses listen25
- Patients trust the staff18
- Inspection rating (Good)50
- Health checks and screening done65
- Meets NHS clinical targets73
- Children vaccinated on time58
What patients say
102 patients answered the 2026 NHS survey about this surgery.
73%
find the phone easy
well above the England average (57%)
79%
say their experience is good
above the England average (77%)
-8
change since last year
2025: 87% · 2026: 79%
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 | 73% | 57% | 85% |
| Easy to contact via website | 62% | 58% | 72% |
| Easy to contact via NHS App | 63% | 54% | 63% |
| Reception staff helpful | 84% | 85% | 93% |
| Seeing the same person | |||
| Has a preferred clinician | 39% | 31% | 32% |
| Sees preferred clinician | 37% | 42% | 49% |
| What happened when they got in touch | |||
| Knew what would happen next | 83% | 84% | 96% |
| Next steps within 2 days | 95% | 93% | 94% |
| Good experience of contacting | 79% | 73% | 87% |
| The appointment | |||
| Offered a choice of time or day | 76% | 57% | 68% |
| Waiting time was about right | 67% | 69% | 75% |
| Remote appointment | 15% | 26% | 24% |
| The doctor or nurse | |||
| Good at listening | 83% | 87% | 96% |
| Treated with care and concern | 82% | 86% | 96% |
| Considered mental wellbeing | 78% | 75% | 88% |
| Had all the information needed | 96% | 92% | 97% |
| Confidence and trust | 88% | 93% | 98% |
| Involved in decisions | 92% | 92% | 98% |
| Needs were met | 92% | 90% | 92% |
| Overall | |||
| Overall experience good | 79% | 77% | 87% |
| Living with a long-term condition | |||
| Confident managing conditions | 92% | 79% | 86% |
| Supported by local services | 70% | 70% | 89% |
| Discussed managing condition | 45% | 43% | 54% |
| Agreed a care plan | 37% | 46% | 45% |
Green means at least 2 points better than England, red at least 2 points worse. With about 102 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 8pm |
| Wednesday | 8am to 6:30pm |
| Thursday | 8am to 6:30pm |
| Friday | 8am to 6:30pm |
| Saturday | Closed |
| Sunday | Closed |
Confirmed by the surgery on 23 June 2026. Bank holidays may differ.
- Address
- Ambleside Road, Keswick, CA12 4DB
- Phone
- 017687 72025
- [email protected]
- Online
- Book, order repeat prescriptions and see records in the NHS App
- Works with
- Keswick & Solway PCN (a group of local surgeries that share services)
- NHS code
- A82028 · NHS profile
Access and facilities
- Accessible toilets
- Baby-changing facilities
- Bus stop nearby
- Cycle parking
- Disability awareness and equality training for staff
- Disabled car parking
- Free NHS WiFi
- Free on-site car parking
- Hearing loop or induction loop: helps to improve sound for hearing aid users
- High-back waiting room chairs
- Off-site car parking nearby
- Pharmacy
- Sign language interpreter available in-person
- Sign language interpreter available online
Pins show each surgery's score. Get directions
Inspection rating
By the Care Quality Commission, the NHS regulator
Good
overall, from the inspection published 9 February 2018
This rating is 8 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 | 17.8% | 15.2% |
| Diabetes | 6.2% | 7.9% |
| Asthma | 6.9% | 6.6% |
| COPD | 1.9% | 1.9% |
| Coronary heart disease | 3.8% | 3.0% |
| Depression | 11.8% | 14.3% |
| Obesity | 8.8% | 13.9% |
| Smoking | 11.3% | 13.5% |
Health checks done
| Check | Here | England |
|---|---|---|
| Cervical screening, women 25-49 | 74% | 67% |
| Cervical screening, women 50-64 | 78% | 75% |
| Blood pressure controlled (hypertension, under 80) | 64% | 68% |
| Blood pressure checked in last 5 years (45+) | 86% | 87% |
| Diabetes: blood pressure on target | 77% | 75% |
| Diabetes: blood sugar (HbA1c) on target | 66% | 57% |
| Diabetes: annual foot check | 85% | 78% |
| Asthma: annual review | 69% | 66% |
Other surgeries nearby
| Surgery | Distance | Score | Easy by phone | Rated good | New patients |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Castlehead Medical Centrethis surgery | – | 54 | 73% | 79% | Yes |
| Glenridding Health CentrePenrith, CA11 0PD | 8.2 miles | 100 | 100% | 100% | Yes |
| Castlegate and Derwent SurgeryCockermouth, CA13 9HT | 10.2 miles | 28 | 39% | 74% | Yes |
| Caldbeck SurgeryWigton, CA7 8DS | 11.0 miles | 99 | 94% | 93% | Yes |
| Ambleside Health CentreAmbleside, LA22 9BP | 13.1 miles | 79 | 85% | 91% | Yes |
| Aspatria Medical GroupWigton, CA7 3HH | 14.0 miles | 99 | 88% | 96% | Yes |
| Wigton Group Medical PracticeWigton, CA7 9QD | 15.4 miles | 57 | 59% | 77% | Yes |
| Maryport Health ServicesMaryport, CA15 8EL | 16.2 miles | 12 | 25% | 62% | Yes |
| St. Mary's SurgeryWindermere, LA23 1BA | 17.5 miles | 90 | 89% | 90% | Yes |
| Court Thorn SurgeryCarlisle, CA4 0HP | 18.7 miles | 77 | 74% | 83% | Yes |
Glenridding Health Centre is 8.2 miles away, scores 100 and is taking on new patients. You can usually join any surgery that covers your address.
Common questions
Is Castlehead Medical Centre taking on new patients?
Yes. When we last checked its page on the NHS website (20 September 2026), Castlehead Medical Centre was taking on new patients. You can register online through the NHS website or call the surgery on 017687 72025.
How do patients rate Castlehead Medical Centre?
In the 2026 NHS GP Patient Survey, 79% of patients at Castlehead Medical Centre said their overall experience was good. The England average is 77%. 73% found it easy to get through by phone (England 57%). Its GPScore is 54 out of 100, grade C, which puts it in the middle 20% of GP surgeries in England.
What is the inspection rating for Castlehead Medical Centre?
The Care Quality Commission, which inspects GP surgeries in England, rated Castlehead Medical Centre as Good at its last published inspection (report published 9 February 2018).
What are the opening times of Castlehead Medical Centre?
Reception is open Monday 8am to 6:30pm, Tuesday 8am to 8pm, 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 23 June 2026. Bank holidays may differ.
How do I contact Castlehead Medical Centre?
Call 017687 72025. You can also book and order repeat prescriptions in the NHS App. The address is Ambleside Road, Keswick, CA12 4DB.
How many patients are registered at Castlehead Medical Centre?
Around 8,343 patients are registered (January 2025). The surgery is part of Keswick & Solway PCN, a group of local surgeries that share staff and services, in the North East and North Cumbria 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.