GP surgery in Somerset

Dunster & Porlock Surgeries

West Street, Dunster, Minehead, TA24 6SN

Taking on new patientsInspection: Outstanding7,868 patients

Scores 93 out of 100, excellent for a GP surgery in England. 91% of patients say their experience is good and 92% find it easy to get through on the phone (England: 77% and 57%). Inspectors rated it Outstanding in 2018. It is taking on new patients.

Excellent Scores higher than 93% of GP surgeries in England. 4th of 9 in Somerset West and Taunton Based on 120 patient survey replies, the inspection rating and NHS records.

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 88

  • Easy to get through on the phone96
  • Easy to contact online77
  • Good experience of getting in touch96
  • Did not wait too long for the appointment57

Quality of care 95

  • Patients rate the surgery as good90
  • Patients got what they needed87
  • Doctors and nurses listen86
  • Patients trust the staff88
  • Inspection rating (Outstanding)98
  • Health checks and screening done40
  • Meets NHS clinical targets48
  • Children vaccinated on time60

What patients say

120 patients answered the 2026 NHS survey about this surgery.

92%

find the phone easy

well above the England average (57%)

91%

say their experience is good

well above the England average (77%)

+2

change since last year

2025: 90% · 2026: 91%

Getting in touch

Contacted the surgery by phone76%
Had their call answered straight away16%
Gave up or got no answer4%
Knew what would happen next straight away86%

The appointment

Were seen the same day10%
Waited more than a week61%
Were seen face to face88%
Saw a GP (rather than a nurse or other staff)68%
All survey questions, compared with England
What patients saidThis surgeryEnglandLast year
Getting in touch
Easy to get through by phone 92% 57% 88%
Easy to contact via website 70% 58% 79%
Easy to contact via NHS App 77% 54% 70%
Reception staff helpful 96% 85% 95%
Seeing the same person
Has a preferred clinician 37% 31% 46%
Sees preferred clinician 66% 42% 64%
What happened when they got in touch
Knew what would happen next 94% 84% 91%
Next steps within 2 days 95% 93% 97%
Good experience of contacting 93% 73% 87%
The appointment
Offered a choice of time or day 77% 57% 81%
Waiting time was about right 74% 69% 75%
Remote appointment 12% 26% 19%
The doctor or nurse
Good at listening 94% 87% 93%
Treated with care and concern 94% 86% 94%
Considered mental wellbeing 87% 75% 86%
Had all the information needed 98% 92% 94%
Confidence and trust 98% 93% 94%
Involved in decisions 99% 92% 96%
Needs were met 96% 90% 94%
Overall
Overall experience good 91% 77% 90%
Living with a long-term condition
Confident managing conditions 90% 79% 83%
Supported by local services 84% 70% 80%
Discussed managing condition 58% 43% 47%
Agreed a care plan 57% 46% 35%

Green means at least 2 points better than England, red at least 2 points worse. With about 120 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?

Reviews

No reviews yet. If you use this surgery, say what it is like.

Write a review

Your rating

Reviews are checked by a person before they appear. Please do not name individual staff or include personal medical details.

Opening times and contact

Monday8am to 6:30pm
Tuesday8am to 6:30pm
Wednesday8am to 6:30pm
Thursday8am to 6:30pm
Friday8am to 6:30pm
SaturdayClosed
SundayClosed

Confirmed by the surgery on 6 November 2025. Bank holidays may differ.

Address
West Street, Dunster, Minehead, TA24 6SN
Phone
01643 821244
Email
[email protected]
Website
www.dunsterandporlocksurgeries.co.uk/index.aspx
Online
Book, order repeat prescriptions and see records in the NHS App
Works with
West Somerset PCN (a group of local surgeries that share services)
NHS code
L85065 · NHS profile

Branch surgery

Run by this practice from another building. Patients register with the practice, not the branch.

Porlock Medical Centre
Porlock, Minehead, TA24 8PJ

Access and facilities

  • Accessible toilets
  • Baby-changing facilities
  • Disabled car parking
  • Free NHS WiFi
  • High-back waiting room chairs
  • Lift
  • Step-free access at entrances and exits
  • Step-free access throughout
  • Toilets
  • Wheelchair access at entrances and exits
  • Wheelchair access throughout

Pins show each surgery's score. Get directions

Inspection rating

By the Care Quality Commission, the NHS regulator

Outstanding

overall, from the inspection published 5 December 2018

This rating is 7 years old. The CQC has not published a newer inspection.

Read the inspection report

The five questions inspectors ask

Is it safe?Good
Is it effective?Good
Is it caring?Outstanding
Is it responsive?Good
Is it well-led?Outstanding

About the patients

NHS records for the people registered here

7,868registered patients
Poorer than mosthow well off the local area is
84.3years life expectancy locally (England 83.0)

Common health conditions

ConditionHereEngland
Hypertension26.0%15.2%
Diabetes8.2%7.9%
Asthma9.2%6.6%
COPD2.9%1.9%
Coronary heart disease5.9%3.0%
Depression12.4%14.3%
Obesity17.3%13.9%
Smoking9.0%13.5%

Health checks done

CheckHereEngland
Cervical screening, women 25-4976%67%
Cervical screening, women 50-6477%75%
Blood pressure controlled (hypertension, under 80)69%68%
Blood pressure checked in last 5 years (45+)92%87%
Diabetes: blood pressure on target75%75%
Diabetes: blood sugar (HbA1c) on target57%57%
Diabetes: annual foot check77%78%
Asthma: annual review69%66%
SurgeryDistanceScoreEasy by phoneRated goodNew patients
Dunster & Porlock Surgeriesthis surgery9392%91%Yes
Minehead Medical CentreMinehead, TA24 5DL2.0 miles325%60%Yes
West Somerset HealthcareTaunton, TA4 4QE5.7 miles8878%90%Yes
Exmoor Medical CentreDulverton, TA22 9EN10.8 miles9793%92%Yes
Lister House PartnershipTaunton, TA4 2BF11.3 miles4669%80%Yes
Quantock Medical CentreBridgwater, TA5 1NW12.9 miles9895%97%Yes
Quantock Vale SurgeryTaunton, TA4 3LH14.2 miles7876%88%Yes
LusonWellington, TA21 8AG17.0 miles
Wellington Medical CentreWellington, TA21 8BD17.0 miles3242%79%Yes
French Weir Health CentreTaunton, TA1 1NW18.3 miles6664%79%Yes

Common questions

Is Dunster & Porlock Surgeries taking on new patients?

Yes. When we last checked its page on the NHS website (20 September 2026), Dunster & Porlock Surgeries was taking on new patients. You can register online through the NHS website or call the surgery on 01643 821244.

How do patients rate Dunster & Porlock Surgeries?

In the 2026 NHS GP Patient Survey, 91% of patients at Dunster & Porlock Surgeries said their overall experience was good. The England average is 77%. 92% found it easy to get through by phone (England 57%). Its GPScore is 93 out of 100, grade A, which puts it in the top 20% of GP surgeries in England.

What is the inspection rating for Dunster & Porlock Surgeries?

The Care Quality Commission, which inspects GP surgeries in England, rated Dunster & Porlock Surgeries as Outstanding at its last published inspection (report published 5 December 2018).

What are the opening times of Dunster & Porlock Surgeries?

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 6 November 2025. Bank holidays may differ.

How do I contact Dunster & Porlock Surgeries?

Call 01643 821244 or visit its website, www.dunsterandporlocksurgeries.co.uk/index.aspx. You can also book and order repeat prescriptions in the NHS App. The address is West Street, Dunster, Minehead, TA24 6SN.

Does Dunster & Porlock Surgeries have a branch surgery?

Yes. Dunster & Porlock Surgeries also runs Porlock Medical Centre (Porlock, Minehead, TA24 8PJ). Patients register with the practice and can usually be seen at either site.

How many patients are registered at Dunster & Porlock Surgeries?

Around 7,868 patients are registered (January 2025). The surgery is part of West Somerset PCN, a group of local surgeries that share staff and services, in the Somerset 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.