GP surgery in Gravesham
Downs Way Medical Practice
Worcester Close, Istead Rise, Gravesend, DA13 9LB
Scores 16 out of 100, poor for a GP surgery in England. 69% of patients say their experience is good and 36% 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 9
- Easy to get through on the phone10
- Easy to contact online8
- Good experience of getting in touch4
- Did not wait too long for the appointment33
Quality of care 30
- Patients rate the surgery as good20
- Patients got what they needed47
- Doctors and nurses listen29
- Patients trust the staff69
- Inspection rating (Good)50
- Health checks and screening done36
- Meets NHS clinical targets43
- Children vaccinated on time34
What patients say
111 patients answered the 2026 NHS survey about this surgery.
36%
find the phone easy
well below the England average (57%)
69%
say their experience is good
below the England average (77%)
0
change since last year
2025: 69% · 2026: 69%
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 | 36% | 57% | 45% |
| Easy to contact via website | 34% | 58% | 53% |
| Easy to contact via NHS App | 39% | 54% | 37% |
| Reception staff helpful | 75% | 85% | 69% |
| Seeing the same person | |||
| Has a preferred clinician | 23% | 31% | 29% |
| Sees preferred clinician | 38% | 42% | 14% |
| What happened when they got in touch | |||
| Knew what would happen next | 76% | 84% | 83% |
| Next steps within 2 days | 95% | 93% | 93% |
| Good experience of contacting | 50% | 73% | 67% |
| The appointment | |||
| Offered a choice of time or day | 39% | 57% | 41% |
| Waiting time was about right | 65% | 69% | 76% |
| Remote appointment | 32% | 26% | 25% |
| The doctor or nurse | |||
| Good at listening | 84% | 87% | 90% |
| Treated with care and concern | 86% | 86% | 83% |
| Considered mental wellbeing | 67% | 75% | 69% |
| Had all the information needed | 93% | 92% | 89% |
| Confidence and trust | 96% | 93% | 94% |
| Involved in decisions | 87% | 92% | 93% |
| Needs were met | 91% | 90% | 91% |
| Overall | |||
| Overall experience good | 69% | 77% | 69% |
| Living with a long-term condition | |||
| Confident managing conditions | 74% | 79% | 92% |
| Supported by local services | 73% | 70% | 72% |
| Discussed managing condition | 25% | 43% | 34% |
| Agreed a care plan | 39% | 46% | 17% |
Green means at least 2 points better than England, red at least 2 points worse. With about 111 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 | 8am to 6:30pm |
| Tuesday | 8am to 6:30pm |
| Wednesday | 8am to 6:30pm |
| Thursday | 8am to 6:30pm |
| Friday | 8am to 6:30pm |
| Saturday | Closed |
| Sunday | Closed |
Confirmed by the surgery on 24 February 2026. Bank holidays may differ.
- Address
- Worcester Close, Istead Rise, Gravesend, DA13 9LB
- Phone
- 01474 247003
- Website
- www.downswaymedicalpractice.co.uk
- Online
- Book, order repeat prescriptions and see records in the NHS App
- Works with
- Garden City PCN (a group of local surgeries that share services)
- NHS code
- G82809 · NHS profile
Branch surgeries
Run by this practice from another building. Patients register with the practice, not the branch.
- Shorne Village Surgery
- Crown Lane, Shorne, Gravesend, DA12 3DY · 01474824411
- Summerhouse Surgery
- Beaconsfield Road, Bexley, DA5 2AE
Access and facilities
- 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 28 October 2016
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 | 14.9% | 15.2% |
| Diabetes | 6.9% | 7.9% |
| Asthma | 5.5% | 6.6% |
| COPD | 1.3% | 1.9% |
| Coronary heart disease | 2.9% | 3.0% |
| Depression | 8.2% | 14.3% |
| Obesity | 8.5% | 13.9% |
| Smoking | 8.8% | 13.5% |
Health checks done
| Check | Here | England |
|---|---|---|
| Cervical screening, women 25-49 | 75% | 67% |
| Cervical screening, women 50-64 | 77% | 75% |
| Blood pressure controlled (hypertension, under 80) | 68% | 68% |
| Blood pressure checked in last 5 years (45+) | 83% | 87% |
| Diabetes: blood pressure on target | 75% | 75% |
| Diabetes: blood sugar (HbA1c) on target | 49% | 57% |
| Diabetes: annual foot check | 77% | 78% |
| Asthma: annual review | 66% | 66% |
Other surgeries nearby
| Surgery | Distance | Score | Easy by phone | Rated good | New patients |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Downs Way Medical Practicethis surgery | – | 16 | 36% | 69% | Yes |
| Oakfield Health Centre, Practice 2Gravesend, DA12 5BW | 1.2 miles | 12 | 52% | 66% | Yes |
| The Shrubbery SurgeryGravesend, DA11 8RD | 1.8 miles | 46 | 68% | 79% | Yes |
| Old Road West SurgeryGravesend, DA11 0LL | 1.9 miles | 48 | 62% | 78% | Yes |
| Springhead HealthGravesend, DA11 8BZ | 2.0 miles | 4 | 19% | 68% | Yes |
| Jubilee Medical CentreLongfield, DA3 7QD | 2.3 miles | 7 | 21% | 64% | Yes |
| Pelham Medical PracticeGravesend, DA11 0HN | 2.3 miles | 8 | 46% | 62% | Yes |
| Parrock Street SurgeryGravesend, DA12 1EN | 2.5 miles | 3 | 45% | 62% | Yes |
| Rochester Road SurgeryGravesend, DA12 2HU | 2.5 miles | 55 | 62% | 82% | Yes |
| Meopham Medical CentreGravesend, DA13 0AH | 2.7 miles | 48 | 51% | 82% | Yes |
The Shrubbery Surgery is 1.8 miles away, scores 46 and is taking on new patients. You can usually join any surgery that covers your address.
Common questions
Is Downs Way Medical Practice taking on new patients?
Yes. When we last checked its page on the NHS website (20 September 2026), Downs Way Medical Practice was taking on new patients. You can register online through the NHS website or call the surgery on 01474 247003.
How do patients rate Downs Way Medical Practice?
In the 2026 NHS GP Patient Survey, 69% of patients at Downs Way Medical Practice said their overall experience was good. The England average is 77%. 36% found it easy to get through by phone (England 57%). Its GPScore is 16 out of 100, grade E, which puts it in the bottom 20% of GP surgeries in England.
What is the inspection rating for Downs Way Medical Practice?
The Care Quality Commission, which inspects GP surgeries in England, rated Downs Way Medical Practice as Good at its last published inspection (report published 28 October 2016).
What are the opening times of Downs Way Medical Practice?
Reception is open Monday 8am to 6:30pm, Tuesday 8am to 6:30pm, 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 24 February 2026. Bank holidays may differ.
How do I contact Downs Way Medical Practice?
Call 01474 247003 or visit its website, www.downswaymedicalpractice.co.uk. You can also book and order repeat prescriptions in the NHS App. The address is Worcester Close, Istead Rise, Gravesend, DA13 9LB.
Does Downs Way Medical Practice have a branch surgery?
Yes. Downs Way Medical Practice also runs Shorne Village Surgery (Crown Lane, Shorne, Gravesend, DA12 3DY) and Summerhouse Surgery (Beaconsfield Road, Bexley, DA5 2AE). Patients register with the practice and can usually be seen at either site.
How many patients are registered at Downs Way Medical Practice?
Around 16,116 patients are registered (January 2025). The surgery is part of Garden City PCN, a group of local surgeries that share staff and services, in the Kent and Medway 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.