GP surgery in Watford
Garston Medical Centre
6a North Western Avenue, Watford, WD25 9GP
Scores 47 out of 100, average for a GP surgery in England. 78% of patients say their experience is good and 64% find it easy to get through on the phone (England: 77% and 57%). Inspectors rated it Good in 2019. 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 44
- Easy to get through on the phone54
- Easy to contact online33
- Good experience of getting in touch44
- Did not wait too long for the appointment41
Quality of care 51
- Patients rate the surgery as good46
- Patients got what they needed43
- Doctors and nurses listen67
- Patients trust the staff50
- Inspection rating (Good)50
- Health checks and screening done69
- Meets NHS clinical targets45
- Children vaccinated on time36
What patients say
121 patients answered the 2026 NHS survey about this surgery.
64%
find the phone easy
above the England average (57%)
78%
say their experience is good
about the England average (77%)
-3
change since last year
2025: 81% · 2026: 78%
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 | 64% | 57% | 58% |
| Easy to contact via website | 51% | 58% | 45% |
| Easy to contact via NHS App | 41% | 54% | 50% |
| Reception staff helpful | 85% | 85% | 90% |
| Seeing the same person | |||
| Has a preferred clinician | 29% | 31% | 30% |
| Sees preferred clinician | 40% | 42% | 35% |
| What happened when they got in touch | |||
| Knew what would happen next | 89% | 84% | 86% |
| Next steps within 2 days | 89% | 93% | 91% |
| Good experience of contacting | 73% | 73% | 77% |
| The appointment | |||
| Offered a choice of time or day | 54% | 57% | 63% |
| Waiting time was about right | 68% | 69% | 79% |
| Remote appointment | 38% | 26% | 33% |
| The doctor or nurse | |||
| Good at listening | 91% | 87% | 91% |
| Treated with care and concern | 90% | 86% | 87% |
| Considered mental wellbeing | 78% | 75% | 74% |
| Had all the information needed | 93% | 92% | 92% |
| Confidence and trust | 94% | 93% | 93% |
| Involved in decisions | 90% | 92% | 89% |
| Needs were met | 90% | 90% | 94% |
| Overall | |||
| Overall experience good | 78% | 77% | 81% |
| Living with a long-term condition | |||
| Confident managing conditions | 83% | 79% | 83% |
| Supported by local services | 73% | 70% | 71% |
| Discussed managing condition | 43% | 43% | 41% |
| Agreed a care plan | 45% | 46% | 35% |
Green means at least 2 points better than England, red at least 2 points worse. With about 121 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 8pm |
| Tuesday | 8:30am to 6:30pm |
| Wednesday | 8:30am to 6:30pm |
| Thursday | 8:30am to 6:30pm |
| Friday | 8:30am to 6:30pm |
| Saturday | Closed |
| Sunday | Closed |
Confirmed by the surgery on 15 October 2024. Bank holidays may differ.
- Address
- 6a North Western Avenue, Watford, WD25 9GP
- Phone
- 01923 672086
- Website
- www.garstonmedicalcentre.co.uk
- Online
- Book, order repeat prescriptions and see records in the NHS App
- Works with
- Grand Union PCN (a group of local surgeries that share services)
- NHS code
- E82017 · NHS profile
Branch surgery
Run by this practice from another building. Patients register with the practice, not the branch.
- Garston Medical Centre at Garston Clinic
- Garston Clinic, St. Albans Road, Watford, WD24 7RZ
Pins show each surgery's score. Get directions
Inspection rating
By the Care Quality Commission, the NHS regulator
Good
overall, from the inspection published 21 October 2019
This rating is 6 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 | 13.0% | 15.2% |
| Diabetes | 7.8% | 7.9% |
| Asthma | 4.7% | 6.6% |
| COPD | 1.1% | 1.9% |
| Coronary heart disease | 2.1% | 3.0% |
| Depression | 8.0% | 14.3% |
| Obesity | 12.6% | 13.9% |
| Smoking | 12.3% | 13.5% |
Health checks done
| Check | Here | England |
|---|---|---|
| Cervical screening, women 25-49 | 71% | 67% |
| Cervical screening, women 50-64 | 77% | 75% |
| Blood pressure controlled (hypertension, under 80) | 73% | 68% |
| Blood pressure checked in last 5 years (45+) | 85% | 87% |
| Diabetes: blood pressure on target | 76% | 75% |
| Diabetes: blood sugar (HbA1c) on target | 55% | 57% |
| Diabetes: annual foot check | 87% | 78% |
| Asthma: annual review | 71% | 66% |
Other surgeries nearby
| Surgery | Distance | Score | Easy by phone | Rated good | New patients |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Garston Medical Centrethis surgery | – | 47 | 64% | 78% | Yes |
| Sheepcot Medical CentreWatford, WD25 7NL | 1.3 miles | 32 | 50% | 75% | Yes |
| Abbotswood Medical CentreAbbots Langley, WD5 0BT | 1.4 miles | 84 | 87% | 85% | Yes |
| The Elms SurgeryWatford, WD17 4NT | 1.5 miles | 81 | 86% | 83% | Yes |
| Suthergrey House Medical CentreWatford, WD17 1LS | 1.5 miles | 21 | 45% | 69% | Yes |
| Watford Health CentreWatford, WD18 0JP | 1.8 miles | 24 | 44% | 71% | Yes |
| Vine House Health CentreAbbots Langley, WD5 0AL | 2.0 miles | 55 | 50% | 82% | Yes |
| Sas West HertsWatford, WD18 7QR | 2.5 miles | – | – | – | No |
| Bridgewater SurgeriesWatford, WD18 7QR | 2.5 miles | 83 | 65% | 91% | Yes |
| Manor View PracticeBushey, WD23 2NN | 2.6 miles | 50 | 52% | 80% | Yes |
Abbotswood Medical Centre is 1.4 miles away, scores 84 and is taking on new patients. You can usually join any surgery that covers your address.
Common questions
Is Garston Medical Centre taking on new patients?
Yes. When we last checked its page on the NHS website (20 September 2026), Garston Medical Centre was taking on new patients. You can register online through the NHS website or call the surgery on 01923 672086.
How do patients rate Garston Medical Centre?
In the 2026 NHS GP Patient Survey, 78% of patients at Garston Medical Centre said their overall experience was good. The England average is 77%. 64% found it easy to get through by phone (England 57%). Its GPScore is 47 out of 100, grade C, which puts it in the middle 20% of GP surgeries in England.
What is the inspection rating for Garston Medical Centre?
The Care Quality Commission, which inspects GP surgeries in England, rated Garston Medical Centre as Good at its last published inspection (report published 21 October 2019).
What are the opening times of Garston Medical Centre?
Reception is open Monday 8:30am to 8pm, Tuesday 8:30am to 6:30pm, Wednesday 8:30am to 6:30pm, Thursday 8:30am to 6:30pm, Friday 8:30am to 6:30pm, Saturday closed, Sunday closed. The surgery last confirmed these times on 15 October 2024. Bank holidays may differ.
How do I contact Garston Medical Centre?
Call 01923 672086 or visit its website, www.garstonmedicalcentre.co.uk. You can also book and order repeat prescriptions in the NHS App. The address is 6a North Western Avenue, Watford, WD25 9GP.
Does Garston Medical Centre have a branch surgery?
Yes. Garston Medical Centre also runs Garston Medical Centre at Garston Clinic (Garston Clinic, St. Albans Road, Watford, WD24 7RZ). Patients register with the practice and can usually be seen at either site.
How many patients are registered at Garston Medical Centre?
Around 12,902 patients are registered (January 2025). The surgery is part of Grand Union PCN, a group of local surgeries that share staff and services, in the Central East 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.