GP surgery in Whitehaven
Lowther Medical Centre
1 Castle Meadows, Whitehaven, CA28 7RG
Scores 27 out of 100, below average for a GP surgery in England. 71% of patients say their experience is good and 40% find it easy to get through on the phone (England: 77% and 57%). Inspectors rated it Good in 2026. 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 24
- Easy to get through on the phone13
- Easy to contact online45
- Good experience of getting in touch7
- Did not wait too long for the appointment61
Quality of care 36
- Patients rate the surgery as good23
- Patients got what they needed40
- Doctors and nurses listen16
- Patients trust the staff33
- Inspection rating (Good)50
- Health checks and screening done64
- Meets NHS clinical targets94
- Children vaccinated on time94
What patients say
109 patients answered the 2026 NHS survey about this surgery.
39%
find the phone easy
well below the England average (57%)
71%
say their experience is good
below the England average (77%)
+11
change since last year
2025: 60% · 2026: 71%
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 | 39% | 57% | 18% |
| Easy to contact via website | 56% | 58% | 35% |
| Easy to contact via NHS App | 55% | 54% | 34% |
| Reception staff helpful | 85% | 85% | 76% |
| Seeing the same person | |||
| Has a preferred clinician | 28% | 31% | 29% |
| Sees preferred clinician | 24% | 42% | 16% |
| What happened when they got in touch | |||
| Knew what would happen next | 62% | 84% | 73% |
| Next steps within 2 days | 96% | 93% | 95% |
| Good experience of contacting | 54% | 73% | 46% |
| The appointment | |||
| Offered a choice of time or day | 55% | 57% | 22% |
| Waiting time was about right | 75% | 69% | 68% |
| Remote appointment | 19% | 26% | 23% |
| The doctor or nurse | |||
| Good at listening | 80% | 87% | 85% |
| Treated with care and concern | 82% | 86% | 89% |
| Considered mental wellbeing | 72% | 75% | 72% |
| Had all the information needed | 89% | 92% | 86% |
| Confidence and trust | 91% | 93% | 95% |
| Involved in decisions | 88% | 92% | 88% |
| Needs were met | 90% | 90% | 95% |
| Overall | |||
| Overall experience good | 71% | 77% | 60% |
| Living with a long-term condition | |||
| Confident managing conditions | 85% | 79% | 82% |
| Supported by local services | 64% | 70% | 66% |
| Discussed managing condition | 41% | 43% | 33% |
| Agreed a care plan | 19% | 46% | 54% |
Green means at least 2 points better than England, red at least 2 points worse. With about 109 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 | 7:30am to 6:30pm |
| Tuesday | 8am 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 26 September 2024. Bank holidays may differ.
- Address
- 1 Castle Meadows, Whitehaven, CA28 7RG
- Phone
- 01946 692241
- Website
- www.lowthermedical.co.uk
- Online
- Book, order repeat prescriptions and see records in the NHS App
- Works with
- Copeland PCN (a group of local surgeries that share services)
- NHS code
- A82041 · NHS profile
Branch surgery
Run by this practice from another building. Patients register with the practice, not the branch.
- Queen Street Medical Practice
- Richard Benedict House, 149 Queen Street, Whitehaven, CA28 7BA
Access and facilities
- Free NHS WiFi
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? | Good |
About the patients
NHS records for the people registered here
Common health conditions
| Condition | Here | England |
|---|---|---|
| Hypertension | 17.7% | 15.2% |
| Diabetes | 10.9% | 7.9% |
| Asthma | 7.0% | 6.6% |
| COPD | 3.1% | 1.9% |
| Coronary heart disease | 4.8% | 3.0% |
| Depression | 19.7% | 14.3% |
| Obesity | 21.2% | 13.9% |
| Smoking | 11.9% | 13.5% |
Health checks done
| Check | Here | England |
|---|---|---|
| Cervical screening, women 25-49 | 76% | 67% |
| Cervical screening, women 50-64 | 76% | 75% |
| Blood pressure controlled (hypertension, under 80) | 76% | 68% |
| Blood pressure checked in last 5 years (45+) | 92% | 87% |
| Diabetes: blood pressure on target | 79% | 75% |
| Diabetes: blood sugar (HbA1c) on target | 58% | 57% |
| Diabetes: annual foot check | 81% | 78% |
| Asthma: annual review | 69% | 66% |
Other surgeries nearby
| Surgery | Distance | Score | Easy by phone | Rated good | New patients |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lowther Medical Centrethis surgery | – | 27 | 40% | 71% | Yes |
| Mansion House SurgeryWhitehaven, CA28 7BU | 0.1 mile | 79 | 64% | 88% | Yes |
| Distington SurgeryWorkington, CA14 5UR | 3.9 miles | 83 | 75% | 87% | Yes |
| Westcroft House SurgeryEgremont, CA22 2DB | 4.9 miles | 61 | 81% | 83% | Yes |
| Fellview HealthcareEgremont, CA22 2BD | 4.9 miles | 22 | 29% | 68% | Yes |
| James Street Group PracticeWorkington, CA14 2DL | 7.0 miles | 12 | 32% | 66% | Yes |
| Seascale Health CentreSeascale, CA20 1PN | 11.1 miles | 74 | 72% | 85% | Yes |
| Maryport Health ServicesMaryport, CA15 8EL | 11.7 miles | 12 | 25% | 62% | Yes |
| Castlegate and Derwent SurgeryCockermouth, CA13 9HT | 12.4 miles | 28 | 39% | 74% | Yes |
| Aspatria Medical GroupWigton, CA7 3HH | 18.0 miles | 99 | 88% | 96% | Yes |
Mansion House Surgery is 0.1 mile away, scores 79 and is taking on new patients. You can usually join any surgery that covers your address.
Common questions
Is Lowther Medical Centre taking on new patients?
Yes. When we last checked its page on the NHS website (20 September 2026), Lowther Medical Centre was taking on new patients. You can register online through the NHS website or call the surgery on 01946 692241.
How do patients rate Lowther Medical Centre?
In the 2026 NHS GP Patient Survey, 71% of patients at Lowther Medical Centre said their overall experience was good. The England average is 77%. 40% found it easy to get through by phone (England 57%). Its GPScore is 27 out of 100, grade D, which puts it in the second-worst 20% of GP surgeries in England.
What is the inspection rating for Lowther Medical Centre?
The Care Quality Commission, which inspects GP surgeries in England, rated Lowther Medical Centre as Good at its last published inspection (report published 27 January 2026).
What are the opening times of Lowther Medical Centre?
Reception is open Monday 7:30am to 6:30pm, Tuesday 8am 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 26 September 2024. Bank holidays may differ.
How do I contact Lowther Medical Centre?
Call 01946 692241 or visit its website, www.lowthermedical.co.uk. You can also book and order repeat prescriptions in the NHS App. The address is 1 Castle Meadows, Whitehaven, CA28 7RG.
Does Lowther Medical Centre have a branch surgery?
Yes. Lowther Medical Centre also runs Queen Street Medical Practice (Richard Benedict House, 149 Queen Street, Whitehaven, CA28 7BA). Patients register with the practice and can usually be seen at either site.
How many patients are registered at Lowther Medical Centre?
Around 13,826 patients are registered (January 2025). The surgery is part of Copeland PCN, a group of local surgeries that share staff and services, in the North East and North Cumbria 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.