GP surgery in Wealden
Downlands Medical Centre
77 High Street, Polegate, BN26 6AE
Scores 23 out of 100, below average for a GP surgery in England. 68% of patients say their experience is good and 30% 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 5
- Easy to get through on the phone5
- Easy to contact online17
- Good experience of getting in touch16
- Did not wait too long for the appointment8
Quality of care 57
- Patients rate the surgery as good17
- Patients got what they needed97
- Doctors and nurses listen59
- Patients trust the staff53
- Inspection rating (Good)50
- Health checks and screening done77
- Meets NHS clinical targets80
- Children vaccinated on time73
What patients say
109 patients answered the 2026 NHS survey about this surgery.
30%
find the phone easy
well below the England average (57%)
68%
say their experience is good
well below the England average (77%)
+16
change since last year
2025: 52% · 2026: 68%
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 | 30% | 57% | 21% |
| Easy to contact via website | 42% | 58% | 23% |
| Easy to contact via NHS App | 23% | 54% | 29% |
| Reception staff helpful | 86% | 85% | 78% |
| Seeing the same person | |||
| Has a preferred clinician | 38% | 31% | 21% |
| Sees preferred clinician | 53% | 42% | 46% |
| What happened when they got in touch | |||
| Knew what would happen next | 74% | 84% | 69% |
| Next steps within 2 days | 90% | 93% | 95% |
| Good experience of contacting | 62% | 73% | 48% |
| The appointment | |||
| Offered a choice of time or day | 42% | 57% | 30% |
| Waiting time was about right | 51% | 69% | 50% |
| Remote appointment | 31% | 26% | 31% |
| The doctor or nurse | |||
| Good at listening | 90% | 87% | 70% |
| Treated with care and concern | 90% | 86% | 72% |
| Considered mental wellbeing | 74% | 75% | 50% |
| Had all the information needed | 95% | 92% | 88% |
| Confidence and trust | 94% | 93% | 82% |
| Involved in decisions | 94% | 92% | 81% |
| Needs were met | 99% | 90% | 85% |
| Overall | |||
| Overall experience good | 68% | 77% | 52% |
| Living with a long-term condition | |||
| Confident managing conditions | 87% | 79% | 72% |
| Supported by local services | 76% | 70% | 49% |
| Discussed managing condition | 29% | 43% | 19% |
| Agreed a care plan | 54% | 46% | 19% |
Green means at least 2 points better than England, red at least 2 points worse. With about 109 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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Write a review
Opening times and contact
| Monday | 8:30am to 6pm |
| Tuesday | 8:30am to 6pm |
| Wednesday | 8:30am to 6pm |
| Thursday | 8:30am to 6pm |
| Friday | 8:30am to 6pm |
| Saturday | Closed |
| Sunday | Closed |
Confirmed by the surgery on 7 July 2020. Bank holidays may differ.
- Address
- 77 High Street, Polegate, BN26 6AE
- Phone
- 01323 482323
- [email protected]
- Online
- Book, order repeat prescriptions and see records in the NHS App
- Works with
- Victoria Eastbourne PCN (a group of local surgeries that share services)
- NHS code
- G81004 · NHS profile
Access and facilities
- Disabled toilet
- Induction loop
- Step-free access
- Text relay
- Wheelchair access
- 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 1 September 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 | 21.9% | 15.2% |
| Diabetes | 9.0% | 7.9% |
| Asthma | 7.3% | 6.6% |
| COPD | 2.6% | 1.9% |
| Coronary heart disease | 5.0% | 3.0% |
| Depression | 18.6% | 14.3% |
| Obesity | 12.5% | 13.9% |
| Smoking | 9.9% | 13.5% |
Health checks done
| Check | Here | England |
|---|---|---|
| Cervical screening, women 25-49 | 78% | 67% |
| Cervical screening, women 50-64 | 81% | 75% |
| Blood pressure controlled (hypertension, under 80) | 76% | 68% |
| Blood pressure checked in last 5 years (45+) | 92% | 87% |
| Diabetes: blood pressure on target | 83% | 75% |
| Diabetes: blood sugar (HbA1c) on target | 63% | 57% |
| Diabetes: annual foot check | 87% | 78% |
| Asthma: annual review | 66% | 66% |
Other surgeries nearby
| Surgery | Distance | Score | Easy by phone | Rated good | New patients |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Downlands Medical Centrethis surgery | – | 23 | 30% | 68% | Yes |
| Manor Park Medical CentrePolegate, BN26 5DJ | 0.3 miles | 8 | 40% | 61% | Yes |
| Stone Cross SurgeryPevensey, BN24 5DZ | 2.0 miles | 32 | 40% | 73% | Yes |
| Park PracticeEastbourne, BN22 9PQ | 2.4 miles | 7 | 27% | 73% | Yes |
| Bridgeside SurgeryHailsham, BN27 3DG | 2.7 miles | 3 | 22% | 61% | Yes |
| Hailsham Medical GroupHailsham, BN27 1BH | 2.9 miles | 25 | 44% | 69% | – |
| Victoria Medical CentreEastbourne, BN20 8NH | 3.2 miles | 54 | 51% | 82% | Yes |
| Quintins Medical CentreHailsham, BN27 1UG | 3.8 miles | 63 | 72% | 77% | Yes |
| Sovereign PracticeEastbourne, BN22 7PG | 3.8 miles | 16 | 28% | 68% | Yes |
| Harbour Medical PracticeEastbourne, BN23 6DW | 4.0 miles | 20 | 49% | 75% | Yes |
Victoria Medical Centre 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 Downlands Medical Centre taking on new patients?
Yes. When we last checked its page on the NHS website (20 September 2026), Downlands Medical Centre was taking on new patients. You can register online through the NHS website or call the surgery on 01323 482323.
How do patients rate Downlands Medical Centre?
In the 2026 NHS GP Patient Survey, 68% of patients at Downlands Medical Centre said their overall experience was good. The England average is 77%. 30% found it easy to get through by phone (England 57%). Its GPScore is 23 out of 100, grade D, which puts it in the second-worst 20% of GP surgeries in England.
What is the inspection rating for Downlands Medical Centre?
The Care Quality Commission, which inspects GP surgeries in England, rated Downlands Medical Centre as Good at its last published inspection (report published 1 September 2016).
What are the opening times of Downlands Medical Centre?
Reception is open Monday 8:30am to 6pm, Tuesday 8:30am to 6pm, Wednesday 8:30am to 6pm, Thursday 8:30am to 6pm, Friday 8:30am to 6pm, Saturday closed, Sunday closed. The surgery last confirmed these times on 7 July 2020. Bank holidays may differ.
How do I contact Downlands Medical Centre?
Call 01323 482323. You can also book and order repeat prescriptions in the NHS App. The address is 77 High Street, Polegate, BN26 6AE.
How many patients are registered at Downlands Medical Centre?
Around 10,103 patients are registered (January 2025). The surgery is part of Victoria Eastbourne 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.