GP surgery in Loughton

Forest Practice

26 Pyrles Lane, Loughton, IG10 2NH

Taking on new patientsInspection: Good11,976 patients

Scores 19 out of 100, poor for a GP surgery in England. 76% of patients say their experience is good and 50% 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.

Poor Scores higher than 19% of GP surgeries in England. 2nd of 3 in Loughton Based on 85 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 19

  • Easy to get through on the phone28
  • Easy to contact online22
  • Good experience of getting in touch13
  • Did not wait too long for the appointment33

Quality of care 24

  • Patients rate the surgery as good40
  • Patients got what they needed4
  • Doctors and nurses listen23
  • Patients trust the staff36
  • Inspection rating (Good)50
  • Health checks and screening done37
  • Meets NHS clinical targets39
  • Children vaccinated on time44

What patients say

85 patients answered the 2026 NHS survey about this surgery.

50%

find the phone easy

below the England average (57%)

76%

say their experience is good

about the England average (77%)

0

change since last year

2025: 77% · 2026: 76%

Getting in touch

Contacted the surgery by phone46%
Had their call answered straight away4%
Gave up or got no answer3%
Knew what would happen next straight away44%

The appointment

Were seen the same day34%
Waited more than a week43%
Were seen face to face83%
Saw a GP (rather than a nurse or other staff)69%
All survey questions, compared with England
What patients saidThis surgeryEnglandLast year
Getting in touch
Easy to get through by phone 50% 57% 44%
Easy to contact via website 45% 58% 39%
Easy to contact via NHS App 37% 54% 39%
Reception staff helpful 76% 85% 87%
Seeing the same person
Has a preferred clinician 21% 31% 26%
Sees preferred clinician 56% 42% 35%
What happened when they got in touch
Knew what would happen next 81% 84% 81%
Next steps within 2 days 97% 93% 98%
Good experience of contacting 60% 73% 70%
The appointment
Offered a choice of time or day 48% 57% 52%
Waiting time was about right 66% 69% 78%
Remote appointment 18% 26% 33%
The doctor or nurse
Good at listening 83% 87% 88%
Treated with care and concern 82% 86% 88%
Considered mental wellbeing 71% 75% 66%
Had all the information needed 91% 92% 95%
Confidence and trust 92% 93% 94%
Involved in decisions 93% 92% 94%
Needs were met 79% 90% 93%
Overall
Overall experience good 76% 77% 77%
Living with a long-term condition
Confident managing conditions 88% 79% 78%
Supported by local services 60% 70% 70%
Discussed managing condition 40% 43% 48%
Agreed a care plan 50% 46% 45%

Green means at least 2 points better than England, red at least 2 points worse. With about 85 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.

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1 of 10Last time you needed a routine appointment, how long did you wait?

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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 28 February 2025. Bank holidays may differ.

Address
26 Pyrles Lane, Loughton, IG10 2NH
Phone
020 8508 4580
Website
www.forestpractice.co.uk
Online
Book, order repeat prescriptions and see records in the NHS App
Works with
Loughton Buckhurst Hill & Chigwell PCN (a group of local surgeries that share services)
NHS code
F81152 · NHS profile

Branch surgery

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

Dr R Roberts
11 Station Road, Loughton, IG10 4NZ

Access and facilities

  • Disabled toilet
  • Induction loop
  • Step-free access
  • Wheelchair access
  • Baby changing facility
  • Baby changing facility
  • 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 25 February 2016

This rating is 10 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?Good
Is it responsive?Good
Is it well-led?Good

About the patients

NHS records for the people registered here

11,976registered patients
Poorer than mosthow well off the local area is
84.5years life expectancy locally (England 83.0)

Common health conditions

ConditionHereEngland
Hypertension13.6%15.2%
Diabetes6.6%7.9%
Asthma6.0%6.6%
COPD2.0%1.9%
Coronary heart disease2.4%3.0%
Depression11.5%14.3%
Obesity11.8%13.9%
Smoking13.9%13.5%

Health checks done

CheckHereEngland
Cervical screening, women 25-4970%67%
Cervical screening, women 50-6475%75%
Blood pressure controlled (hypertension, under 80)62%68%
Blood pressure checked in last 5 years (45+)84%87%
Diabetes: blood pressure on target71%75%
Diabetes: blood sugar (HbA1c) on target58%57%
Diabetes: annual foot check78%78%
Asthma: annual review71%66%

Other surgeries nearby

All surgeries in Loughton →

SurgeryDistanceScoreEasy by phoneRated goodNew patients
Forest Practicethis surgery1950%76%Yes
The Loughton SurgeryLoughton, IG10 1SZ0.8 miles2353%69%Yes
Loughton Health CentreLoughton, IG10 1HW1.0 miles520%55%Yes
Abridge SurgeryRomford, RM4 1UD2.0 miles5160%79%Yes
The River SurgeryBuckhurst Hill, IG9 6BN2.1 miles8671%89%Yes
Palmerston Road SurgeryBuckhurst Hill, IG9 5LT2.3 miles8184%89%Yes
Kings Medical CentreBuckhurst Hill, IG9 5LP2.4 miles7060%89%Yes
Maynard Court SurgeryWaltham Abbey, EN9 3DU3.2 miles8287%90%Yes
Chigwell Medical CentreIlford, IG6 2TA3.4 miles3754%68%Yes
The Willows PracticeChigwell, IG7 4DF3.5 miles5557%79%Yes

Abridge Surgery is 2.0 miles away, scores 51 and is taking on new patients. You can usually join any surgery that covers your address.

Common questions

Is Forest Practice taking on new patients?

Yes. When we last checked its page on the NHS website (20 September 2026), Forest Practice was taking on new patients. You can register online through the NHS website or call the surgery on 020 8508 4580.

How do patients rate Forest Practice?

In the 2026 NHS GP Patient Survey, 76% of patients at Forest Practice said their overall experience was good. The England average is 77%. 50% found it easy to get through by phone (England 57%). Its GPScore is 19 out of 100, grade E, which puts it in the bottom 20% of GP surgeries in England.

What is the inspection rating for Forest Practice?

The Care Quality Commission, which inspects GP surgeries in England, rated Forest Practice as Good at its last published inspection (report published 25 February 2016).

What are the opening times of Forest 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 28 February 2025. Bank holidays may differ.

How do I contact Forest Practice?

Call 020 8508 4580 or visit its website, www.forestpractice.co.uk. You can also book and order repeat prescriptions in the NHS App. The address is 26 Pyrles Lane, Loughton, IG10 2NH.

Does Forest Practice have a branch surgery?

Yes. Forest Practice also runs Dr R Roberts (11 Station Road, Loughton, IG10 4NZ). Patients register with the practice and can usually be seen at either site.

How many patients are registered at Forest Practice?

Around 11,976 patients are registered (January 2025). The surgery is part of Loughton Buckhurst Hill & Chigwell PCN, a group of local surgeries that share staff and services, in the Essex 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.