GP surgery in King's Lynn and West Norfolk
Howdale Surgery
48 Howdale Road, Downham Market, PE38 9AF
Scores 67 out of 100, good for a GP surgery in England. 85% of patients say their experience is good and 66% 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 62
- Easy to get through on the phone57
- Easy to contact online58
- Good experience of getting in touch78
- Did not wait too long for the appointment46
Quality of care 71
- Patients rate the surgery as good70
- Patients got what they needed88
- Doctors and nurses listen49
- Patients trust the staff74
- Inspection rating (Good)50
- Health checks and screening done28
- Meets NHS clinical targets64
- Children vaccinated on time57
What patients say
121 patients answered the 2026 NHS survey about this surgery.
66%
find the phone easy
well above the England average (57%)
85%
say their experience is good
above the England average (77%)
+16
change since last year
2025: 69% · 2026: 85%
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 | 66% | 57% | 65% |
| Easy to contact via website | 62% | 58% | 31% |
| Easy to contact via NHS App | 58% | 54% | 36% |
| Reception staff helpful | 90% | 85% | 83% |
| Seeing the same person | |||
| Has a preferred clinician | 31% | 31% | 25% |
| Sees preferred clinician | 22% | 42% | 43% |
| What happened when they got in touch | |||
| Knew what would happen next | 90% | 84% | 69% |
| Next steps within 2 days | 93% | 93% | 96% |
| Good experience of contacting | 85% | 73% | 71% |
| The appointment | |||
| Offered a choice of time or day | 56% | 57% | 55% |
| Waiting time was about right | 70% | 69% | 58% |
| Remote appointment | 30% | 26% | 32% |
| The doctor or nurse | |||
| Good at listening | 88% | 87% | 79% |
| Treated with care and concern | 87% | 86% | 80% |
| Considered mental wellbeing | 77% | 75% | 54% |
| Had all the information needed | 96% | 92% | 92% |
| Confidence and trust | 96% | 93% | 87% |
| Involved in decisions | 98% | 92% | 87% |
| Needs were met | 97% | 90% | 80% |
| Overall | |||
| Overall experience good | 85% | 77% | 69% |
| Living with a long-term condition | |||
| Confident managing conditions | 76% | 79% | 80% |
| Supported by local services | 63% | 70% | 60% |
| Discussed managing condition | 38% | 43% | 36% |
| Agreed a care plan | 46% | 46% | 41% |
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 6:30pm |
| 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 10 August 2026. Bank holidays may differ.
- Address
- 48 Howdale Road, Downham Market, PE38 9AF
- Phone
- 01366 383405
- [email protected]
- Website
- www.howdalesurgery.co.uk
- Online
- Book, order repeat prescriptions and see records in the NHS App
- Works with
- Swaffham & Downham Market PCN (a group of local surgeries that share services)
- NHS code
- D82068 · NHS profile
Branch surgery
Run by this practice from another building. Patients register with the practice, not the branch.
- Marham Surgery
- The Surgery, The Street, Marham, PE33 9HP · 01760 337394
Access and facilities
- Accessible toilets
- Autism training for staff
- Baby-changing facilities
- Disability awareness and equality training for staff
- Disabled car parking
- Documents available in large print
- 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
- Off-site car parking nearby
- Pharmacy
- Sign language interpreter available online
- Step-free access at entrances and exits
Pins show each surgery's score. Get directions
Inspection rating
By the Care Quality Commission, the NHS regulator
Good
overall, from the inspection published 13 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 | 19.7% | 15.2% |
| Diabetes | 10.0% | 7.9% |
| Asthma | 7.7% | 6.6% |
| COPD | 2.9% | 1.9% |
| Coronary heart disease | 4.6% | 3.0% |
| Depression | 15.3% | 14.3% |
| Obesity | 19.6% | 13.9% |
| Smoking | 11.4% | 13.5% |
Health checks done
| Check | Here | England |
|---|---|---|
| Cervical screening, women 25-49 | 72% | 67% |
| Cervical screening, women 50-64 | 74% | 75% |
| Blood pressure controlled (hypertension, under 80) | 68% | 68% |
| Blood pressure checked in last 5 years (45+) | 91% | 87% |
| Diabetes: blood pressure on target | 73% | 75% |
| Diabetes: blood sugar (HbA1c) on target | 59% | 57% |
| Diabetes: annual foot check | 77% | 78% |
| Asthma: annual review | 53% | 66% |
Other surgeries nearby
| Surgery | Distance | Score | Easy by phone | Rated good | New patients |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Howdale Surgerythis surgery | – | 67 | 66% | 85% | Yes |
| Bridge Street SurgeryDownham Market, PE38 9DP | 0.3 miles | 50 | 40% | 78% | Yes |
| The Hollies SurgeryDownham Market, PE38 9JE | 0.4 miles | 21 | 57% | 71% | Yes |
| Watlington Medical CentreKing's Lynn, PE33 0TU | 4.6 miles | 39 | 57% | 69% | Yes |
| Boughton SurgeryKing's Lynn, PE33 9AG | 5.4 miles | 62 | 79% | 79% | Yes |
| Upwell Health CentreWisbech, PE14 9BT | 6.6 miles | 26 | 65% | 70% | Yes |
| St John's SurgeryWisbech, PE14 7RR | 8.5 miles | 96 | 95% | 94% | Yes |
| Southgates Surgical & Medical CentreKing's Lynn, PE30 5QX | 10.2 miles | 9 | 30% | 75% | Yes |
| Trinity SurgeryWisbech, PE13 3UZ | 10.2 miles | 71 | 76% | 84% | Yes |
| Ts-3 Dermatology ClinicWisbech, PE13 3UZ | 10.2 miles | – | – | – | – |
St John's Surgery is 8.5 miles away, scores 96 and is taking on new patients. You can usually join any surgery that covers your address.
Common questions
Is Howdale Surgery taking on new patients?
Yes. When we last checked its page on the NHS website (20 September 2026), Howdale Surgery was taking on new patients. You can register online through the NHS website or call the surgery on 01366 383405.
How do patients rate Howdale Surgery?
In the 2026 NHS GP Patient Survey, 85% of patients at Howdale Surgery said their overall experience was good. The England average is 77%. 66% found it easy to get through by phone (England 57%). Its GPScore is 67 out of 100, grade B, which puts it in the second-best 20% of GP surgeries in England.
What is the inspection rating for Howdale Surgery?
The Care Quality Commission, which inspects GP surgeries in England, rated Howdale Surgery as Good at its last published inspection (report published 13 August 2018).
What are the opening times of Howdale Surgery?
Reception is open Monday 8:30am to 6:30pm, 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 10 August 2026. Bank holidays may differ.
How do I contact Howdale Surgery?
Call 01366 383405 or visit its website, www.howdalesurgery.co.uk. You can also book and order repeat prescriptions in the NHS App. The address is 48 Howdale Road, Downham Market, PE38 9AF.
Does Howdale Surgery have a branch surgery?
Yes. Howdale Surgery also runs Marham Surgery (The Surgery, The Street, Marham, PE33 9HP). Patients register with the practice and can usually be seen at either site.
How many patients are registered at Howdale Surgery?
Around 7,834 patients are registered (January 2025). The surgery is part of Swaffham & Downham Market PCN, a group of local surgeries that share staff and services, in the Norfolk and Suffolk 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.