GP surgery in Bedford
Cauldwell Medical Centre
Bedford Hospital, Kempston Road, Bedford, MK42 9DJ
Scores 2 out of 100, poor for a GP surgery in England. 59% of patients say their experience is good and 31% find it easy to get through on the phone (England: 77% and 57%). Inspectors rated it Good in 2019.
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 5
- Easy to get through on the phone6
- Easy to contact online16
- Good experience of getting in touch8
- Did not wait too long for the appointment12
Quality of care 3
- Patients rate the surgery as good6
- Patients got what they needed7
- Doctors and nurses listen14
- Patients trust the staff14
- Inspection rating (Good)50
- Health checks and screening done10
- Meets NHS clinical targets9
- Children vaccinated on time14
What patients say
85 patients answered the 2026 NHS survey about this surgery.
31%
find the phone easy
well below the England average (57%)
59%
say their experience is good
well below the England average (77%)
-1
change since last year
2025: 60% · 2026: 59%
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 | 31% | 57% | 34% |
| Easy to contact via website | 41% | 58% | 40% |
| Easy to contact via NHS App | 49% | 54% | 40% |
| Reception staff helpful | 62% | 85% | 77% |
| Seeing the same person | |||
| Has a preferred clinician | 31% | 31% | 27% |
| Sees preferred clinician | 27% | 42% | 41% |
| What happened when they got in touch | |||
| Knew what would happen next | 61% | 84% | 54% |
| Next steps within 2 days | 82% | 93% | 91% |
| Good experience of contacting | 55% | 73% | 52% |
| The appointment | |||
| Offered a choice of time or day | 27% | 57% | 53% |
| Waiting time was about right | 54% | 69% | 25% |
| Remote appointment | 23% | 26% | 46% |
| The doctor or nurse | |||
| Good at listening | 80% | 87% | 71% |
| Treated with care and concern | 75% | 86% | 76% |
| Considered mental wellbeing | 69% | 75% | 66% |
| Had all the information needed | 88% | 92% | 84% |
| Confidence and trust | 88% | 93% | 85% |
| Involved in decisions | 85% | 92% | 84% |
| Needs were met | 82% | 90% | 76% |
| Overall | |||
| Overall experience good | 59% | 77% | 60% |
| Living with a long-term condition | |||
| Confident managing conditions | 79% | 79% | 62% |
| Supported by local services | 62% | 70% | 51% |
| Discussed managing condition | 44% | 43% | 47% |
| Agreed a care plan | 62% | 46% | 61% |
Green means at least 2 points better than England, red at least 2 points worse. With about 85 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
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Opening times and contact
Opening times not collected yet.
- Address
- Bedford Hospital, Kempston Road, Bedford, MK42 9DJ
- Phone
- 01234 673710
- Works with
- North Bedford PCN (a group of local surgeries that share services)
- NHS code
- E81030
Pins show each surgery's score. Get directions
Inspection rating
By the Care Quality Commission, the NHS regulator
Good
overall, from the inspection published 4 April 2019
This rating is 7 years old. The CQC has not published a newer inspection.
The five questions inspectors ask
| Is it safe? | Good |
| Is it effective? | Requires improvement |
| 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 | 10.2% | 15.2% |
| Diabetes | 8.0% | 7.9% |
| Asthma | 5.2% | 6.6% |
| COPD | 0.9% | 1.9% |
| Coronary heart disease | 1.6% | 3.0% |
| Depression | 8.6% | 14.3% |
| Obesity | 12.4% | 13.9% |
| Smoking | 19.8% | 13.5% |
Health checks done
| Check | Here | England |
|---|---|---|
| Cervical screening, women 25-49 | 53% | 67% |
| Cervical screening, women 50-64 | 66% | 75% |
| Blood pressure controlled (hypertension, under 80) | 65% | 68% |
| Blood pressure checked in last 5 years (45+) | 87% | 87% |
| Diabetes: blood pressure on target | 77% | 75% |
| Diabetes: blood sugar (HbA1c) on target | 49% | 57% |
| Diabetes: annual foot check | 81% | 78% |
| Asthma: annual review | 61% | 66% |
Other surgeries nearby
| Surgery | Distance | Score | Easy by phone | Rated good | New patients |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cauldwell Medical Centrethis surgery | – | 2 | 31% | 59% | – |
| London Road Health CentreBedford, MK42 0NT | 0.6 miles | 26 | 46% | 76% | Yes |
| Ashburnham Road SurgeryBedford, MK40 1DS | 0.6 miles | 76 | 80% | 82% | Yes |
| Queens Park Health CentreBedford, MK40 4HR | 0.9 miles | 30 | 52% | 64% | Yes |
| The De Parys GroupBedford, MK40 2NT | 1.0 miles | 21 | 37% | 68% | Yes |
| Linden Road SurgeryBedford, MK40 2DQ | 1.1 miles | 61 | 71% | 87% | Yes |
| King Street SurgeryBedford, MK42 8QD | 1.2 miles | 29 | 38% | 75% | Yes |
| Goldington Avenue SurgeryBedford, MK40 3DB | 1.2 miles | 24 | 45% | 71% | Yes |
| Putnoe Medical Centre PartnershipBedford, MK41 9JE | 2.0 miles | 49 | 69% | 76% | Yes |
| Bedoc HealthcareBedford, MK44 3WJ | 2.3 miles | – | – | – | – |
London Road Health Centre is 0.6 miles away, scores 26 and is taking on new patients. You can usually join any surgery that covers your address.
Common questions
How do patients rate Cauldwell Medical Centre?
In the 2026 NHS GP Patient Survey, 59% of patients at Cauldwell Medical Centre said their overall experience was good. The England average is 77%. 31% found it easy to get through by phone (England 57%). Its GPScore is 2 out of 100, grade E, which puts it in the bottom 20% of GP surgeries in England.
What is the inspection rating for Cauldwell Medical Centre?
The Care Quality Commission, which inspects GP surgeries in England, rated Cauldwell Medical Centre as Good at its last published inspection (report published 4 April 2019).
How do I contact Cauldwell Medical Centre?
Call 01234 673710. The address is Bedford Hospital, Kempston Road, Bedford, MK42 9DJ.
How many patients are registered at Cauldwell Medical Centre?
Around 10,987 patients are registered (January 2025). The surgery is part of North Bedford 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.