GP surgery in Colchester
Highwoods Surgery
Highwoods Square, Highwoods, Colchester, CO4 9SR
Scores 23 out of 100, below average for a GP surgery in England. 70% of patients say their experience is good and 55% find it easy to get through on the phone (England: 77% and 57%). Inspectors rated it Good in 2022. 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 38
- Easy to get through on the phone38
- Easy to contact online58
- Good experience of getting in touch34
- Did not wait too long for the appointment43
Quality of care 11
- Patients rate the surgery as good21
- Patients got what they needed8
- Doctors and nurses listen8
- Patients trust the staff14
- Inspection rating (Good)50
- Health checks and screening done45
- Meets NHS clinical targets6
- Children vaccinated on time42
What patients say
136 patients answered the 2026 NHS survey about this surgery.
55%
find the phone easy
about the England average (57%)
70%
say their experience is good
below the England average (77%)
-10
change since last year
2025: 80% · 2026: 70%
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 | 55% | 57% | 34% |
| Easy to contact via website | 61% | 58% | 56% |
| Easy to contact via NHS App | 61% | 54% | 43% |
| Reception staff helpful | 79% | 85% | 78% |
| Seeing the same person | |||
| Has a preferred clinician | 17% | 31% | 25% |
| Sees preferred clinician | 43% | 42% | 60% |
| What happened when they got in touch | |||
| Knew what would happen next | 81% | 84% | 87% |
| Next steps within 2 days | 93% | 93% | 99% |
| Good experience of contacting | 70% | 73% | 61% |
| The appointment | |||
| Offered a choice of time or day | 42% | 57% | 48% |
| Waiting time was about right | 69% | 69% | 73% |
| Remote appointment | 32% | 26% | 21% |
| The doctor or nurse | |||
| Good at listening | 77% | 87% | 86% |
| Treated with care and concern | 68% | 86% | 88% |
| Considered mental wellbeing | 55% | 75% | 72% |
| Had all the information needed | 83% | 92% | 95% |
| Confidence and trust | 88% | 93% | 95% |
| Involved in decisions | 89% | 92% | 93% |
| Needs were met | 82% | 90% | 93% |
| Overall | |||
| Overall experience good | 70% | 77% | 80% |
| Living with a long-term condition | |||
| Confident managing conditions | 84% | 79% | 84% |
| Supported by local services | 61% | 70% | 75% |
| Discussed managing condition | 38% | 43% | 55% |
| Agreed a care plan | 53% | 46% | 48% |
Green means at least 2 points better than England, red at least 2 points worse. With about 136 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 | 8am to 6:30pm |
| Tuesday | 7am to 6:30pm |
| Wednesday | 8am to 6:30pm |
| Thursday | 8am to 6:30pm |
| Friday | 8am to 6:30pm |
| Saturday | Closed |
| Sunday | Closed |
Confirmed by the surgery on 4 June 2026. Bank holidays may differ.
- Address
- Highwoods Square, Highwoods, Colchester, CO4 9SR
- Phone
- 01206 752010
- Website
- www.highwoodssurgery.co.uk
- Online
- Book, order repeat prescriptions and see records in the NHS App
- Works with
- North Colchester PCN (a group of local surgeries that share services)
- NHS code
- F81679 · NHS profile
Access and facilities
- Accessible toilets
- Baby-changing facilities
- Bus stop nearby
- Disabled car parking
- Free on-site car parking
- Hearing loop or induction loop: helps to improve sound for hearing aid users
Pins show each surgery's score. Get directions
Inspection rating
By the Care Quality Commission, the NHS regulator
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? | Requires improvement |
About the patients
NHS records for the people registered here
Common health conditions
| Condition | Here | England |
|---|---|---|
| Hypertension | 13.3% | 15.2% |
| Diabetes | 7.5% | 7.9% |
| Asthma | 6.6% | 6.6% |
| COPD | 1.5% | 1.9% |
| Coronary heart disease | 2.3% | 3.0% |
| Depression | 9.7% | 14.3% |
| Obesity | 12.2% | 13.9% |
| Smoking | 13.8% | 13.5% |
Health checks done
| Check | Here | England |
|---|---|---|
| Cervical screening, women 25-49 | 68% | 67% |
| Cervical screening, women 50-64 | 67% | 75% |
| Blood pressure controlled (hypertension, under 80) | 73% | 68% |
| Blood pressure checked in last 5 years (45+) | 87% | 87% |
| Diabetes: blood pressure on target | 83% | 75% |
| Diabetes: blood sugar (HbA1c) on target | 66% | 57% |
| Diabetes: annual foot check | 90% | 78% |
| Asthma: annual review | 60% | 66% |
Other surgeries nearby
| Surgery | Distance | Score | Easy by phone | Rated good | New patients |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Highwoods Surgerythis surgery | – | 23 | 55% | 70% | Yes |
| Bluebell SurgeryColchester, CO4 9YN | 0.4 miles | 66 | 81% | 77% | Yes |
| Turner Road SurgeryColchester, CO4 5JR | 0.7 miles | 36 | 60% | 75% | Yes |
| Mill Road SurgeryColchester, CO4 5LE | 0.9 miles | 60 | 50% | 84% | Yes |
| East Hill SurgeryColchester, CO1 2RW | 1.5 miles | 66 | 66% | 83% | Yes |
| Colchester Medical PracticeColchester, CO1 2QS | 1.5 miles | 74 | 77% | 88% | Yes |
| Beacon House MinistriesColchester, CO3 3ES | 1.9 miles | – | – | – | – |
| Creffield Medical GroupColchester, CO2 7GH | 2.3 miles | 35 | 45% | 74% | Yes |
| Abbey Field Medical CentreColchester, CO2 7UW | 2.5 miles | 24 | 45% | 66% | Yes |
| The Ardleigh SurgeryColchester, CO7 7LD | 3.1 miles | 44 | 61% | 78% | Yes |
Bluebell Surgery is 0.4 miles away, scores 66 and is taking on new patients. You can usually join any surgery that covers your address.
Common questions
Is Highwoods Surgery taking on new patients?
Yes. When we last checked its page on the NHS website (20 September 2026), Highwoods Surgery was taking on new patients. You can register online through the NHS website or call the surgery on 01206 752010.
How do patients rate Highwoods Surgery?
In the 2026 NHS GP Patient Survey, 70% of patients at Highwoods Surgery said their overall experience was good. The England average is 77%. 55% found it easy to get through by phone (England 57%). Its GPScore is 23 out of 100, grade D, which puts it in the second-worst 20% of GP surgeries in England.
What is the inspection rating for Highwoods Surgery?
The Care Quality Commission, which inspects GP surgeries in England, rated Highwoods Surgery as Good at its last published inspection (report published 15 July 2022).
What are the opening times of Highwoods Surgery?
Reception is open Monday 8am to 6:30pm, Tuesday 7am 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 4 June 2026. Bank holidays may differ.
How do I contact Highwoods Surgery?
Call 01206 752010 or visit its website, www.highwoodssurgery.co.uk. You can also book and order repeat prescriptions in the NHS App. The address is Highwoods Square, Highwoods, Colchester, CO4 9SR.
How many patients are registered at Highwoods Surgery?
Around 7,826 patients are registered (January 2025). The surgery is part of North Colchester 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.