GP surgery in East Hertfordshire
Central Surgery
Bell Street, Sawbridgeworth, CM21 9AQ
Scores 45 out of 100, average for a GP surgery in England. 74% of patients say their experience is good and 66% find it easy to get through on the phone (England: 77% and 57%). Inspectors rated it Good in 2017. 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 50
- Easy to get through on the phone59
- Easy to contact online85
- Good experience of getting in touch42
- Did not wait too long for the appointment38
Quality of care 39
- Patients rate the surgery as good32
- Patients got what they needed32
- Doctors and nurses listen18
- Patients trust the staff47
- Inspection rating (Good)50
- Health checks and screening done82
- Meets NHS clinical targets68
- Children vaccinated on time57
What patients say
92 patients answered the 2026 NHS survey about this surgery.
66%
find the phone easy
well above the England average (57%)
74%
say their experience is good
below the England average (77%)
+6
change since last year
2025: 68% · 2026: 74%
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 | 66% | 57% | 65% |
| Easy to contact via website | 74% | 58% | 59% |
| Easy to contact via NHS App | 60% | 54% | 39% |
| Reception staff helpful | 74% | 85% | 82% |
| Seeing the same person | |||
| Has a preferred clinician | 21% | 31% | 15% |
| Sees preferred clinician | 21% | 42% | 30% |
| What happened when they got in touch | |||
| Knew what would happen next | 82% | 84% | 78% |
| Next steps within 2 days | 90% | 93% | 82% |
| Good experience of contacting | 73% | 73% | 64% |
| The appointment | |||
| Offered a choice of time or day | 39% | 57% | 46% |
| Waiting time was about right | 67% | 69% | 68% |
| Remote appointment | 31% | 26% | 50% |
| The doctor or nurse | |||
| Good at listening | 81% | 87% | 86% |
| Treated with care and concern | 81% | 86% | 81% |
| Considered mental wellbeing | 51% | 75% | 57% |
| Had all the information needed | 92% | 92% | 89% |
| Confidence and trust | 93% | 93% | 91% |
| Involved in decisions | 92% | 92% | 92% |
| Needs were met | 88% | 90% | 84% |
| Overall | |||
| Overall experience good | 74% | 77% | 68% |
| Living with a long-term condition | |||
| Confident managing conditions | 76% | 79% | 71% |
| Supported by local services | 69% | 70% | 66% |
| Discussed managing condition | 44% | 43% | 34% |
| Agreed a care plan | 37% | 46% | 36% |
Green means at least 2 points better than England, red at least 2 points worse. With about 92 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 | 8:30am to 6:30pm |
| Tuesday | 8:30am to 6:30pm |
| Wednesday | 8:30am to 6:30pm |
| Thursday | 8:30am to 6:30pm |
| Friday | 8:30am to 6:30pm |
| Saturday | Closed |
| Sunday | Closed |
Confirmed by the surgery on 27 October 2023. Bank holidays may differ.
- Address
- Bell Street, Sawbridgeworth, CM21 9AQ
- Phone
- 01279 603180
- [email protected]
- Online
- Book, order repeat prescriptions and see records in the NHS App
- Works with
- Stort Valley & Villages PCN (a group of local surgeries that share services)
- NHS code
- E82100 · NHS profile
Access and facilities
- Disabled parking
- Disabled toilet
- Induction loop
- Step-free access
- Wheelchair access
- Baby changing facility
- Baby changing facility
- Car parking
- Disabled 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 5 June 2017
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 | 15.1% | 15.2% |
| Diabetes | 6.2% | 7.9% |
| Asthma | 6.9% | 6.6% |
| COPD | 1.3% | 1.9% |
| Coronary heart disease | 2.8% | 3.0% |
| Depression | 9.8% | 14.3% |
| Obesity | 12.4% | 13.9% |
| Smoking | 10.3% | 13.5% |
Health checks done
| Check | Here | England |
|---|---|---|
| Cervical screening, women 25-49 | 78% | 67% |
| Cervical screening, women 50-64 | 83% | 75% |
| Blood pressure controlled (hypertension, under 80) | 71% | 68% |
| Blood pressure checked in last 5 years (45+) | 86% | 87% |
| Diabetes: blood pressure on target | 76% | 75% |
| Diabetes: blood sugar (HbA1c) on target | 60% | 57% |
| Diabetes: annual foot check | 80% | 78% |
| Asthma: annual review | 68% | 66% |
Other surgeries nearby
| Surgery | Distance | Score | Easy by phone | Rated good | New patients |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Central Surgerythis surgery | – | 45 | 66% | 74% | Yes |
| The Rivers HospitalSawbridgeworth, CM21 0HH | 0.8 miles | – | – | – | – |
| The Rivers HospitalSawbridgeworth, CM21 0HH | 0.8 miles | – | – | – | – |
| Gardens and Jacobs Medical PartnershipSawbridgeworth, CM21 0HH | 0.8 miles | – | – | – | – |
| Old Harlow Health CentreHarlow, CM17 0AX | 2.1 miles | 84 | 76% | 90% | Yes |
| The Eden SurgeriesBishops Stortford, CM22 7EH | 2.5 miles | 17 | 40% | 72% | Yes |
| Nuffield House Health CentreHarlow, CM20 3AX | 3.0 miles | 2 | 29% | 48% | Yes |
| Church Langley Medical PracticeHarlow, CM17 9TG | 3.2 miles | 10 | 48% | 56% | Yes |
| Sydenham House SurgeryHarlow, CM20 3NT | 3.4 miles | 65 | 81% | 83% | Yes |
| South Street SurgeryBishop's Stortford, CM23 3AP | 3.8 miles | 37 | 49% | 82% | Yes |
Old Harlow Health Centre is 2.1 miles away, scores 84 and is taking on new patients. You can usually join any surgery that covers your address.
Common questions
Is Central Surgery taking on new patients?
Yes. When we last checked its page on the NHS website (20 September 2026), Central Surgery was taking on new patients. You can register online through the NHS website or call the surgery on 01279 603180.
How do patients rate Central Surgery?
In the 2026 NHS GP Patient Survey, 74% of patients at Central Surgery said their overall experience was good. The England average is 77%. 66% found it easy to get through by phone (England 57%). Its GPScore is 45 out of 100, grade C, which puts it in the middle 20% of GP surgeries in England.
What is the inspection rating for Central Surgery?
The Care Quality Commission, which inspects GP surgeries in England, rated Central Surgery as Good at its last published inspection (report published 5 June 2017).
What are the opening times of Central Surgery?
Reception is open Monday 8:30am to 6:30pm, Tuesday 8:30am to 6:30pm, Wednesday 8:30am to 6:30pm, Thursday 8:30am to 6:30pm, Friday 8:30am to 6:30pm, Saturday closed, Sunday closed. The surgery last confirmed these times on 27 October 2023. Bank holidays may differ.
How do I contact Central Surgery?
Call 01279 603180. You can also book and order repeat prescriptions in the NHS App. The address is Bell Street, Sawbridgeworth, CM21 9AQ.
How many patients are registered at Central Surgery?
Around 13,750 patients are registered (January 2025). The surgery is part of Stort Valley & Villages 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.