GP surgery in Central Bedfordshire
Houghton Close Surgery
1 Houghton Close, Ampthill, Bedford, MK45 2TG
Scores 71 out of 100, good for a GP surgery in England. 79% of patients say their experience is good and 70% 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.
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 68
- Easy to get through on the phone65
- Easy to contact online57
- Good experience of getting in touch58
- Did not wait too long for the appointment76
Quality of care 72
- Patients rate the surgery as good48
- Patients got what they needed84
- Doctors and nurses listen66
- Patients trust the staff78
- Inspection rating (Good)50
- Health checks and screening done78
- Meets NHS clinical targets51
- Children vaccinated on time78
What patients say
126 patients answered the 2026 NHS survey about this surgery.
70%
find the phone easy
well above the England average (57%)
79%
say their experience is good
about the England average (77%)
+1
change since last year
2025: 78% · 2026: 79%
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 | 70% | 57% | 54% |
| Easy to contact via website | 61% | 58% | 47% |
| Easy to contact via NHS App | 64% | 54% | 46% |
| Reception staff helpful | 87% | 85% | 80% |
| Seeing the same person | |||
| Has a preferred clinician | 32% | 31% | 38% |
| Sees preferred clinician | 11% | 42% | 26% |
| What happened when they got in touch | |||
| Knew what would happen next | 89% | 84% | 84% |
| Next steps within 2 days | 91% | 93% | 92% |
| Good experience of contacting | 78% | 73% | 72% |
| The appointment | |||
| Offered a choice of time or day | 58% | 57% | 38% |
| Waiting time was about right | 80% | 69% | 65% |
| Remote appointment | 18% | 26% | 15% |
| The doctor or nurse | |||
| Good at listening | 91% | 87% | 86% |
| Treated with care and concern | 87% | 86% | 73% |
| Considered mental wellbeing | 74% | 75% | 63% |
| Had all the information needed | 94% | 92% | 95% |
| Confidence and trust | 97% | 93% | 90% |
| Involved in decisions | 95% | 92% | 89% |
| Needs were met | 96% | 90% | 90% |
| Overall | |||
| Overall experience good | 79% | 77% | 78% |
| Living with a long-term condition | |||
| Confident managing conditions | 77% | 79% | 80% |
| Supported by local services | 75% | 70% | 67% |
| Discussed managing condition | 40% | 43% | 37% |
| Agreed a care plan | 48% | 46% | 44% |
Green means at least 2 points better than England, red at least 2 points worse. With about 126 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 | 8:15am to 6pm |
| Tuesday | 8:15am to 6pm |
| Wednesday | 8:15am to 6pm |
| Thursday | 8:15am to 6pm |
| Friday | 8:15am to 6pm |
| Saturday | Closed |
| Sunday | Closed |
Confirmed by the surgery on 7 November 2025. Bank holidays may differ.
- Address
- 1 Houghton Close, Ampthill, Bedford, MK45 2TG
- Phone
- 01525 300898
- Website
- www.houghtonclosesurgery.co.uk
- Online
- Book, order repeat prescriptions and see records in the NHS App
- Works with
- Hillton PCN (a group of local surgeries that share services)
- NHS code
- E81074 · NHS profile
Access and facilities
- Accessible toilets
- Baby-changing facilities
- Cycle parking
- Disability awareness and equality training for staff
- Disabled car parking
- Free NHS WiFi
- Free on-site car parking
- Hearing loop or induction loop: helps to improve sound for hearing aid users
- High-back waiting room chairs
- Lift
- Sign language interpreter available online
- Step-free access at entrances and exits
- Step-free access throughout
- Toilets
Pins show each surgery's score. Get directions
Inspection rating
By the Care Quality Commission, the NHS regulator
Good
overall, from the inspection published 22 December 2016
This rating is 9 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 | 17.3% | 15.2% |
| Diabetes | 7.5% | 7.9% |
| Asthma | 8.8% | 6.6% |
| COPD | 1.7% | 1.9% |
| Coronary heart disease | 3.3% | 3.0% |
| Depression | 16.9% | 14.3% |
| Obesity | 9.5% | 13.9% |
| Smoking | 9.6% | 13.5% |
Health checks done
| Check | Here | England |
|---|---|---|
| Cervical screening, women 25-49 | 80% | 67% |
| Cervical screening, women 50-64 | 81% | 75% |
| Blood pressure controlled (hypertension, under 80) | 61% | 68% |
| Blood pressure checked in last 5 years (45+) | 84% | 87% |
| Diabetes: blood pressure on target | 74% | 75% |
| Diabetes: blood sugar (HbA1c) on target | 64% | 57% |
| Diabetes: annual foot check | 85% | 78% |
| Asthma: annual review | 75% | 66% |
Other surgeries nearby
| Surgery | Distance | Score | Easy by phone | Rated good | New patients |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Houghton Close Surgerythis surgery | – | 71 | 70% | 79% | Yes |
| Greensand Surgery (Ampthill)Bedford, MK45 2SB | under 0.1 miles | 79 | 71% | 83% | Yes |
| Flitwick SurgeryBedford, MK45 1DW | 1.4 miles | 63 | 68% | 77% | Yes |
| Marston Forest HealthcareBedford, MK43 0LA | 3.5 miles | 24 | 53% | 65% | Yes |
| The Vale Medical PracticeBedford, MK43 9JJ | 4.9 miles | 62 | 65% | 82% | Yes |
| Dr A Sulakshana & PartnersBedford, MK45 4TA | 5.2 miles | 73 | 66% | 88% | Yes |
| Toddington Medical CentreDunstable, LU5 6DE | 5.8 miles | 51 | 45% | 76% | Yes |
| King Street SurgeryBedford, MK42 8QD | 6.4 miles | 29 | 38% | 75% | Yes |
| Asplands Medical CentreMilton Keynes, MK17 8QP | 6.7 miles | 83 | 76% | 87% | Yes |
| London Road Health CentreBedford, MK42 0NT | 7.1 miles | 26 | 46% | 76% | Yes |
Asplands Medical Centre is 6.7 miles away, scores 83 and is taking on new patients. You can usually join any surgery that covers your address.
Common questions
Is Houghton Close Surgery taking on new patients?
Yes. When we last checked its page on the NHS website (20 September 2026), Houghton Close Surgery was taking on new patients. You can register online through the NHS website or call the surgery on 01525 300898.
How do patients rate Houghton Close Surgery?
In the 2026 NHS GP Patient Survey, 79% of patients at Houghton Close Surgery said their overall experience was good. The England average is 77%. 70% found it easy to get through by phone (England 57%). Its GPScore is 71 out of 100, grade B, which puts it in the second-best 20% of GP surgeries in England.
What is the inspection rating for Houghton Close Surgery?
The Care Quality Commission, which inspects GP surgeries in England, rated Houghton Close Surgery as Good at its last published inspection (report published 22 December 2016).
What are the opening times of Houghton Close Surgery?
Reception is open Monday 8:15am to 6pm, Tuesday 8:15am to 6pm, Wednesday 8:15am to 6pm, Thursday 8:15am to 6pm, Friday 8:15am to 6pm, Saturday closed, Sunday closed. The surgery last confirmed these times on 7 November 2025. Bank holidays may differ.
How do I contact Houghton Close Surgery?
Call 01525 300898 or visit its website, www.houghtonclosesurgery.co.uk. You can also book and order repeat prescriptions in the NHS App. The address is 1 Houghton Close, Ampthill, Bedford, MK45 2TG.
How many patients are registered at Houghton Close Surgery?
Around 11,724 patients are registered (January 2025). The surgery is part of Hillton 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.