GP surgery in Christchurch

Highcliffe Medical Centre

248 Lymington Road, Highcliffe, Christchurch, BH23 5ET

Taking on new patientsInspection: Good15,308 patientsOpen Saturdays

Scores 43 out of 100, average for a GP surgery in England. 80% of patients say their experience is good and 30% 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.

Average Scores higher than 43% of GP surgeries in England. 4th of 5 in Christchurch Based on 110 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 26

  • Easy to get through on the phone5
  • Easy to contact online62
  • Good experience of getting in touch31
  • Did not wait too long for the appointment46

Quality of care 66

  • Patients rate the surgery as good54
  • Patients got what they needed69
  • Doctors and nurses listen40
  • Patients trust the staff71
  • Inspection rating (Good)50
  • Health checks and screening done68
  • Meets NHS clinical targets67
  • Children vaccinated on time76

What patients say

110 patients answered the 2026 NHS survey about this surgery.

30%

find the phone easy

well below the England average (57%)

80%

say their experience is good

above the England average (77%)

-1

change since last year

2025: 82% · 2026: 80%

Getting in touch

Contacted the surgery by phone48%
Had their call answered straight away14%
Gave up or got no answer10%
Knew what would happen next straight away52%

The appointment

Were seen the same day17%
Waited more than a week41%
Were seen face to face63%
Saw a GP (rather than a nurse or other staff)49%
All survey questions, compared with England
What patients saidThis surgeryEnglandLast year
Getting in touch
Easy to get through by phone 30% 57% 48%
Easy to contact via website 63% 58% 52%
Easy to contact via NHS App 59% 54% 59%
Reception staff helpful 91% 85% 91%
Seeing the same person
Has a preferred clinician 16% 31% 22%
Sees preferred clinician 33% 42% 37%
What happened when they got in touch
Knew what would happen next 91% 84% 93%
Next steps within 2 days 95% 93% 94%
Good experience of contacting 69% 73% 74%
The appointment
Offered a choice of time or day 41% 57% 47%
Waiting time was about right 70% 69% 60%
Remote appointment 37% 26% 32%
The doctor or nurse
Good at listening 86% 87% 89%
Treated with care and concern 81% 86% 89%
Considered mental wellbeing 77% 75% 80%
Had all the information needed 96% 92% 89%
Confidence and trust 96% 93% 93%
Involved in decisions 96% 92% 90%
Needs were met 94% 90% 84%
Overall
Overall experience good 80% 77% 82%
Living with a long-term condition
Confident managing conditions 91% 79% 71%
Supported by local services 71% 70% 80%
Discussed managing condition 28% 43% 37%
Agreed a care plan 21% 46% 52%

Green means at least 2 points better than England, red at least 2 points worse. With about 110 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 7:30pm
Tuesday8am to 7:30pm
Wednesday8am to 7:30pm
Thursday8am to 7:30pm
Friday8am to 7:30pm
Saturday9am to 6pm
Sunday9am to 6pm

Confirmed by the surgery on 15 November 2018. Bank holidays may differ.

Address
248 Lymington Road, Highcliffe, Christchurch, BH23 5ET
Phone
01425 272203
Website
www.highcliffemedicalcentre.co.uk
Online
Book, order repeat prescriptions and see records in the NHS App
Works with
Christchurch PCN (a group of local surgeries that share services)
NHS code
J81028 · NHS profile

Access and facilities

  • Braille translation service
  • Disabled parking
  • Disabled toilet
  • Induction loop
  • Signing service
  • Step-free access
  • Wheelchair access
  • 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 September 2016

This rating is 9 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

15,308registered patients
Among the best offhow well off the local area is
86.1years life expectancy locally (England 83.0)

Common health conditions

ConditionHereEngland
Hypertension23.0%15.2%
Diabetes8.0%7.9%
Asthma8.7%6.6%
COPD1.8%1.9%
Coronary heart disease6.0%3.0%
Depression10.9%14.3%
Obesity9.4%13.9%
Smoking7.8%13.5%

Health checks done

CheckHereEngland
Cervical screening, women 25-4977%67%
Cervical screening, women 50-6478%75%
Blood pressure controlled (hypertension, under 80)66%68%
Blood pressure checked in last 5 years (45+)91%87%
Diabetes: blood pressure on target67%75%
Diabetes: blood sugar (HbA1c) on target60%57%
Diabetes: annual foot check87%78%
Asthma: annual review78%66%

Other surgeries nearby

All surgeries in Christchurch →

SurgeryDistanceScoreEasy by phoneRated goodNew patients
Highcliffe Medical Centrethis surgery4330%80%Yes
Coastal Medical PartnershipNew Milton, BH25 5JP2.2 miles6055%87%Yes
Christchurch Medical PracticeChristchurch, BH23 3AF2.5 miles3038%78%Yes
Farmhouse SurgeryChristchurch, BH23 3AF2.5 miles7684%83%Yes
Twin Oaks Medical CentreChristchurch, BH23 8AD3.2 miles9183%89%Yes
Stour SurgeryChristchurch, BH23 1PA3.5 miles9793%93%Yes
Grove SurgeryChristchurch, BH23 2FQ3.9 miles6671%81%Yes
The Marine & Oakridge PartnershipBournemouth, BH6 3DB4.8 miles6374%85%Yes
Southbourne PracticeBournemouth, BH6 5BF5.0 miles6956%94%Yes
Beaufort Road SurgeryBournemouth, BH6 5AJ5.0 miles6871%81%Yes

Coastal Medical Partnership is 2.2 miles away, scores 60 and is taking on new patients. You can usually join any surgery that covers your address.

Common questions

Is Highcliffe Medical Centre taking on new patients?

Yes. When we last checked its page on the NHS website (20 September 2026), Highcliffe Medical Centre was taking on new patients. You can register online through the NHS website or call the surgery on 01425 272203.

How do patients rate Highcliffe Medical Centre?

In the 2026 NHS GP Patient Survey, 80% of patients at Highcliffe Medical Centre said their overall experience was good. The England average is 77%. 30% found it easy to get through by phone (England 57%). Its GPScore is 43 out of 100, grade C, which puts it in the middle 20% of GP surgeries in England.

What is the inspection rating for Highcliffe Medical Centre?

The Care Quality Commission, which inspects GP surgeries in England, rated Highcliffe Medical Centre as Good at its last published inspection (report published 20 September 2016).

What are the opening times of Highcliffe Medical Centre?

Reception is open Monday 8am to 7:30pm, Tuesday 8am to 7:30pm, Wednesday 8am to 7:30pm, Thursday 8am to 7:30pm, Friday 8am to 7:30pm, Saturday 9am to 6pm, Sunday 9am to 6pm. The surgery last confirmed these times on 15 November 2018. Bank holidays may differ.

How do I contact Highcliffe Medical Centre?

Call 01425 272203 or visit its website, www.highcliffemedicalcentre.co.uk. You can also book and order repeat prescriptions in the NHS App. The address is 248 Lymington Road, Highcliffe, Christchurch, BH23 5ET.

How many patients are registered at Highcliffe Medical Centre?

Around 15,308 patients are registered (January 2025). The surgery is part of Christchurch PCN, a group of local surgeries that share staff and services, in the Dorset 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.