GP surgery in Skelmersdale
Excel Primary Care
Birleywood Health Centre, Birleywood, Skelmersdale, WN8 9BW
Scores 29 out of 100, below average for a GP surgery in England. 68% of patients say their experience is good and 57% 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 39
- Easy to get through on the phone42
- Easy to contact online2
- Good experience of getting in touch31
- Did not wait too long for the appointment62
Quality of care 20
- Patients rate the surgery as good17
- Patients got what they needed46
- Doctors and nurses listen24
- Patients trust the staff9
- Inspection rating (Good)50
- Health checks and screening done46
- Meets NHS clinical targets46
- Children vaccinated on time33
What patients say
108 patients answered the 2026 NHS survey about this surgery.
57%
find the phone easy
about the England average (57%)
68%
say their experience is good
well below the England average (77%)
+1
change since last year
2025: 67% · 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 | 57% | 57% | 46% |
| Easy to contact via website | 24% | 58% | 18% |
| Easy to contact via NHS App | 37% | 54% | 33% |
| Reception staff helpful | 83% | 85% | 74% |
| Seeing the same person | |||
| Has a preferred clinician | 16% | 31% | 34% |
| Sees preferred clinician | 13% | 42% | 24% |
| What happened when they got in touch | |||
| Knew what would happen next | 81% | 84% | 68% |
| Next steps within 2 days | 100% | 93% | 93% |
| Good experience of contacting | 69% | 73% | 56% |
| The appointment | |||
| Offered a choice of time or day | 44% | 57% | 40% |
| Waiting time was about right | 76% | 69% | 58% |
| Remote appointment | 17% | 26% | 19% |
| The doctor or nurse | |||
| Good at listening | 83% | 87% | 75% |
| Treated with care and concern | 81% | 86% | 79% |
| Considered mental wellbeing | 73% | 75% | 60% |
| Had all the information needed | 94% | 92% | 87% |
| Confidence and trust | 86% | 93% | 91% |
| Involved in decisions | 88% | 92% | 87% |
| Needs were met | 91% | 90% | 86% |
| Overall | |||
| Overall experience good | 68% | 77% | 67% |
| Living with a long-term condition | |||
| Confident managing conditions | 87% | 79% | 80% |
| Supported by local services | 80% | 70% | 65% |
| Discussed managing condition | 55% | 43% | 35% |
| Agreed a care plan | 58% | 46% | 39% |
Green means at least 2 points better than England, red at least 2 points worse. With about 108 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 | 8am to 6:30pm |
| Tuesday | 8am to 8:30pm |
| Wednesday | 8am to 6:30pm |
| Thursday | 8am to 6:30pm |
| Friday | 8am to 6:30pm |
| Saturday | Closed |
| Sunday | Closed |
Confirmed by the surgery on 8 March 2024. Bank holidays may differ.
- Address
- Birleywood Health Centre, Birleywood, Skelmersdale, WN8 9BW
- Phone
- 01695 662380
- [email protected]
- Website
- www.excelprimarycare.co.uk
- Online
- Book, order repeat prescriptions and see records in the NHS App
- Works with
- Skelmersdale PCN (a group of local surgeries that share services)
- NHS code
- P81208 · NHS profile
Branch surgeries
Run by this practice from another building. Patients register with the practice, not the branch.
- Matthew Ryder Clinic
- 20 Dingle Road, Upholland, Skelmersdale, WN8 0EN
- Sandy Lane Health Centre
- Sandy Lane, Skelmersdale, WN8 8LA
Access and facilities
- Disabled parking
- Disabled toilet
- 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 20 June 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 | 16.8% | 15.2% |
| Diabetes | 8.9% | 7.9% |
| Asthma | 7.1% | 6.6% |
| COPD | 2.7% | 1.9% |
| Coronary heart disease | 3.7% | 3.0% |
| Depression | 22.2% | 14.3% |
| Obesity | 16.6% | 13.9% |
| Smoking | 20.1% | 13.5% |
Health checks done
| Check | Here | England |
|---|---|---|
| Cervical screening, women 25-49 | 66% | 67% |
| Cervical screening, women 50-64 | 68% | 75% |
| Blood pressure controlled (hypertension, under 80) | 72% | 68% |
| Blood pressure checked in last 5 years (45+) | 87% | 87% |
| Diabetes: blood pressure on target | 79% | 75% |
| Diabetes: blood sugar (HbA1c) on target | 55% | 57% |
| Diabetes: annual foot check | 74% | 78% |
| Asthma: annual review | 67% | 66% |
Other surgeries nearby
| Surgery | Distance | Score | Easy by phone | Rated good | New patients |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Excel Primary Carethis surgery | – | 29 | 57% | 68% | Yes |
| Hall Green SurgerySkelmersdale, WN8 0AB | 0.7 miles | 83 | 76% | 95% | Yes |
| Manor Primary CareSkelmersdale, WN8 6DS | 0.8 miles | 81 | 79% | 88% | Yes |
| Ashurst Primary CareSkelmersdale, WN8 6QS | 1.8 miles | 28 | 53% | 75% | Yes |
| Beacon Primary CareSkelmersdale, WN8 8LA | 2.1 miles | 23 | 56% | 65% | Yes |
| Dr A BisaryaSkelmersdale, WN8 8LA | 2.1 miles | 93 | 87% | 86% | Yes |
| Rainford Health CentreSt Helens, WA11 8AZ | 2.8 miles | 90 | 90% | 97% | Yes |
| Bradshaw Medical CentreWigan, WN5 0AB | 2.9 miles | 34 | 53% | 76% | Yes |
| Kenneth Macrae Medical CentreSt. Helens, WA11 8HJ | 2.9 miles | 98 | 92% | 98% | Yes |
| Shevington SurgeryWigan, WN6 8ET | 3.5 miles | 90 | 61% | 90% | Yes |
Hall Green Surgery is 0.7 miles away, scores 83 and is taking on new patients. You can usually join any surgery that covers your address.
Common questions
Is Excel Primary Care taking on new patients?
Yes. When we last checked its page on the NHS website (20 September 2026), Excel Primary Care was taking on new patients. You can register online through the NHS website or call the surgery on 01695 662380.
How do patients rate Excel Primary Care?
In the 2026 NHS GP Patient Survey, 68% of patients at Excel Primary Care said their overall experience was good. The England average is 77%. 57% found it easy to get through by phone (England 57%). Its GPScore is 29 out of 100, grade D, which puts it in the second-worst 20% of GP surgeries in England.
What is the inspection rating for Excel Primary Care?
The Care Quality Commission, which inspects GP surgeries in England, rated Excel Primary Care as Good at its last published inspection (report published 20 June 2016).
What are the opening times of Excel Primary Care?
Reception is open Monday 8am to 6:30pm, Tuesday 8am to 8:30pm, 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 8 March 2024. Bank holidays may differ.
How do I contact Excel Primary Care?
Call 01695 662380 or visit its website, www.excelprimarycare.co.uk. You can also book and order repeat prescriptions in the NHS App. The address is Birleywood Health Centre, Birleywood, Skelmersdale, WN8 9BW.
Does Excel Primary Care have a branch surgery?
Yes. Excel Primary Care also runs Matthew Ryder Clinic (20 Dingle Road, Upholland, Skelmersdale, WN8 0EN) and Sandy Lane Health Centre (Sandy Lane, Skelmersdale, WN8 8LA). Patients register with the practice and can usually be seen at either site.
How many patients are registered at Excel Primary Care?
Around 18,086 patients are registered (January 2025). The surgery is part of Skelmersdale PCN, a group of local surgeries that share staff and services, in the Lancashire and South Cumbria 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.