GP surgery in Cornwall
Helston Medical Centre
Trelawney Road, Helston, TR13 8AU
Scores 31 out of 100, below average for a GP surgery in England. 81% of patients say their experience is good and 52% find it easy to get through on the phone (England: 77% and 57%). Inspectors rated it Good in 2018. 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 27
- Easy to get through on the phone32
- Easy to contact online84
- Good experience of getting in touch35
- Did not wait too long for the appointment11
Quality of care 41
- Patients rate the surgery as good56
- Patients got what they needed24
- Doctors and nurses listen61
- Patients trust the staff75
- Inspection rating (Good)50
- Health checks and screening done11
- Meets NHS clinical targets2
- Children vaccinated on time35
What patients say
118 patients answered the 2026 NHS survey about this surgery.
52%
find the phone easy
below the England average (57%)
81%
say their experience is good
above the England average (77%)
+12
change since last year
2025: 69% · 2026: 81%
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 | 52% | 57% | 35% |
| Easy to contact via website | 74% | 58% | 58% |
| Easy to contact via NHS App | 64% | 54% | 47% |
| Reception staff helpful | 77% | 85% | 66% |
| Seeing the same person | |||
| Has a preferred clinician | 42% | 31% | 38% |
| Sees preferred clinician | 49% | 42% | 26% |
| What happened when they got in touch | |||
| Knew what would happen next | 82% | 84% | 82% |
| Next steps within 2 days | 83% | 93% | 74% |
| Good experience of contacting | 70% | 73% | 57% |
| The appointment | |||
| Offered a choice of time or day | 46% | 57% | 37% |
| Waiting time was about right | 54% | 69% | 52% |
| Remote appointment | 31% | 26% | 40% |
| The doctor or nurse | |||
| Good at listening | 90% | 87% | 86% |
| Treated with care and concern | 91% | 86% | 87% |
| Considered mental wellbeing | 75% | 75% | 74% |
| Had all the information needed | 91% | 92% | 91% |
| Confidence and trust | 96% | 93% | 95% |
| Involved in decisions | 92% | 92% | 93% |
| Needs were met | 87% | 90% | 81% |
| Overall | |||
| Overall experience good | 81% | 77% | 69% |
| Living with a long-term condition | |||
| Confident managing conditions | 83% | 79% | 75% |
| Supported by local services | 73% | 70% | 70% |
| Discussed managing condition | 51% | 43% | 36% |
| Agreed a care plan | 39% | 46% | 48% |
Green means at least 2 points better than England, red at least 2 points worse. With about 118 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 | 8:30am to 6pm |
| Tuesday | 8:30am to 6pm |
| Wednesday | 8:30am to 6pm |
| Thursday | 8:30am to 6pm |
| Friday | 8:30am to 6pm |
| Saturday | Closed |
| Sunday | Closed |
Confirmed by the surgery on 30 August 2023. Bank holidays may differ.
- Address
- Trelawney Road, Helston, TR13 8AU
- Phone
- 01326 572637
- [email protected]
- Online
- Book, order repeat prescriptions and see records in the NHS App
- Works with
- Isles of Scilly & South Kerrier PCN (a group of local surgeries that share services)
- NHS code
- L82018 · NHS profile
Branch surgery
Run by this practice from another building. Patients register with the practice, not the branch.
- Porthleven
- The Surgery, Sunset Gardens, Porthleven, TR13 9BT
Access and facilities
- Braille translation service
- Disabled parking
- Disabled toilet
- Induction loop
- Signing service
- Step-free access
- Text relay
- Wheelchair access
- Car parking
- Cycle 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 17 August 2018
This rating is 8 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 | 16.5% | 15.2% |
| Diabetes | 7.3% | 7.9% |
| Asthma | 8.8% | 6.6% |
| COPD | 2.2% | 1.9% |
| Coronary heart disease | 4.7% | 3.0% |
| Depression | 7.4% | 14.3% |
| Obesity | 13.7% | 13.9% |
| Smoking | 14.2% | 13.5% |
Health checks done
| Check | Here | England |
|---|---|---|
| Cervical screening, women 25-49 | 71% | 67% |
| Cervical screening, women 50-64 | 72% | 75% |
| Blood pressure controlled (hypertension, under 80) | 61% | 68% |
| Blood pressure checked in last 5 years (45+) | 85% | 87% |
| Diabetes: blood pressure on target | 74% | 75% |
| Diabetes: blood sugar (HbA1c) on target | 59% | 57% |
| Diabetes: annual foot check | 73% | 78% |
| Asthma: annual review | 49% | 66% |
Other surgeries nearby
| Surgery | Distance | Score | Easy by phone | Rated good | New patients |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Helston Medical Centrethis surgery | – | 31 | 52% | 81% | Yes |
| Cober Valley HealthHelston, TR13 8RT | 0.1 mile | 58 | 75% | 79% | Yes |
| The Mullion & Constantine Group PracticeHelston, TR12 7DQ | 5.2 miles | 80 | 77% | 82% | Yes |
| Godolphin HealthCamborne, TR14 0LB | 5.4 miles | 78 | 55% | 87% | Yes |
| Veor SurgeryCamborne, TR14 8SN | 7.7 miles | 23 | 59% | 71% | Yes |
| St Keverne Health CentreHelston, TR12 6PB | 8.7 miles | 90 | 83% | 89% | Yes |
| Bodriggy Health CentreHayle, TR27 4PB | 8.7 miles | 85 | 84% | 90% | Yes |
| Penryn SurgeryPenryn, TR10 8HX | 8.7 miles | 82 | 68% | 90% | Yes |
| Carn to Coast Health CentresRedruth, TR15 3DU | 8.7 miles | 2 | 24% | 54% | Yes |
| Marazion SurgeryMarazion, TR17 0HW | 8.8 miles | 92 | 74% | 93% | Yes |
Cober Valley Health is 0.1 mile away, scores 58 and is taking on new patients. You can usually join any surgery that covers your address.
Common questions
Is Helston Medical Centre taking on new patients?
Yes. When we last checked its page on the NHS website (20 September 2026), Helston Medical Centre was taking on new patients. You can register online through the NHS website or call the surgery on 01326 572637.
How do patients rate Helston Medical Centre?
In the 2026 NHS GP Patient Survey, 81% of patients at Helston Medical Centre said their overall experience was good. The England average is 77%. 52% found it easy to get through by phone (England 57%). Its GPScore is 31 out of 100, grade D, which puts it in the second-worst 20% of GP surgeries in England.
What is the inspection rating for Helston Medical Centre?
The Care Quality Commission, which inspects GP surgeries in England, rated Helston Medical Centre as Good at its last published inspection (report published 17 August 2018).
What are the opening times of Helston Medical Centre?
Reception is open Monday 8:30am to 6pm, Tuesday 8:30am to 6pm, Wednesday 8:30am to 6pm, Thursday 8:30am to 6pm, Friday 8:30am to 6pm, Saturday closed, Sunday closed. The surgery last confirmed these times on 30 August 2023. Bank holidays may differ.
How do I contact Helston Medical Centre?
Call 01326 572637. You can also book and order repeat prescriptions in the NHS App. The address is Trelawney Road, Helston, TR13 8AU.
Does Helston Medical Centre have a branch surgery?
Yes. Helston Medical Centre also runs Porthleven (The Surgery, Sunset Gardens, Porthleven, TR13 9BT). Patients register with the practice and can usually be seen at either site.
How many patients are registered at Helston Medical Centre?
Around 14,403 patients are registered (January 2025). The surgery is part of Isles of Scilly & South Kerrier PCN, a group of local surgeries that share staff and services, in the Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly 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.