GP surgery in Central Bedfordshire
Marston Forest Healthcare
59 Bedford Road, Marston Moretaine, Bedford, MK43 0LA
Scores 24 out of 100, below average for a GP surgery in England. 65% of patients say their experience is good and 53% find it easy to get through on the phone (England: 77% and 57%). 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 34
- Easy to get through on the phone34
- Easy to contact online29
- Good experience of getting in touch18
- Did not wait too long for the appointment62
Quality of care 16
- Patients rate the surgery as good12
- Patients got what they needed42
- Doctors and nurses listen22
- Patients trust the staff68
- Inspection rating (Not rated)–
- Health checks and screening done14
- Meets NHS clinical targets35
- Children vaccinated on time46
What patients say
104 patients answered the 2026 NHS survey about this surgery.
53%
find the phone easy
below the England average (57%)
65%
say their experience is good
well below the England average (77%)
+13
change since last year
2025: 52% · 2026: 65%
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 | 53% | 57% | 35% |
| Easy to contact via website | 49% | 58% | 45% |
| Easy to contact via NHS App | 46% | 54% | 35% |
| Reception staff helpful | 84% | 85% | 62% |
| Seeing the same person | |||
| Has a preferred clinician | 31% | 31% | 28% |
| Sees preferred clinician | 31% | 42% | 8% |
| What happened when they got in touch | |||
| Knew what would happen next | 85% | 84% | 72% |
| Next steps within 2 days | 90% | 93% | 96% |
| Good experience of contacting | 63% | 73% | 48% |
| The appointment | |||
| Offered a choice of time or day | 41% | 57% | 26% |
| Waiting time was about right | 75% | 69% | 66% |
| Remote appointment | 25% | 26% | 25% |
| The doctor or nurse | |||
| Good at listening | 82% | 87% | 74% |
| Treated with care and concern | 85% | 86% | 72% |
| Considered mental wellbeing | 71% | 75% | 46% |
| Had all the information needed | 91% | 92% | 80% |
| Confidence and trust | 96% | 93% | 88% |
| Involved in decisions | 93% | 92% | 91% |
| Needs were met | 90% | 90% | 86% |
| Overall | |||
| Overall experience good | 65% | 77% | 52% |
| Living with a long-term condition | |||
| Confident managing conditions | 77% | 79% | 74% |
| Supported by local services | 73% | 70% | 60% |
| Discussed managing condition | 45% | 43% | 27% |
| Agreed a care plan | 60% | 46% | 47% |
Green means at least 2 points better than England, red at least 2 points worse. With about 104 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 | 8am 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 18 September 2024. Bank holidays may differ.
- Address
- 59 Bedford Road, Marston Moretaine, Bedford, MK43 0LA
- Phone
- 01234 766551
- [email protected]
- Website
- www.marstonforesthealthcare.co.uk
- Online
- Book, order repeat prescriptions and see records in the NHS App
- Works with
- Green Vale Health PCN (a group of local surgeries that share services)
- NHS code
- E81043 · NHS profile
Branch surgery
Run by this practice from another building. Patients register with the practice, not the branch.
- Cranfield Surgery
- 137 High Street, Cranfield, Bedford, MK43 0HZ · 01234 750734
Access and facilities
- Disabled parking
- Disabled toilet
- Induction loop
- Wheelchair access
- Baby changing facility
- Baby changing facility
- Disabled parking
Pins show each surgery's score. Get directions
Inspection rating
By the Care Quality Commission, the NHS regulator
No inspection rating has been published for this surgery.
About the patients
NHS records for the people registered here
Common health conditions
| Condition | Here | England |
|---|---|---|
| Hypertension | 14.0% | 15.2% |
| Diabetes | 8.0% | 7.9% |
| Asthma | 5.0% | 6.6% |
| COPD | 1.7% | 1.9% |
| Coronary heart disease | 2.4% | 3.0% |
| Depression | 10.0% | 14.3% |
| Obesity | 10.4% | 13.9% |
| Smoking | 10.2% | 13.5% |
Health checks done
| Check | Here | England |
|---|---|---|
| Cervical screening, women 25-49 | 72% | 67% |
| Cervical screening, women 50-64 | 81% | 75% |
| Blood pressure controlled (hypertension, under 80) | 73% | 68% |
| Blood pressure checked in last 5 years (45+) | 90% | 87% |
| Diabetes: blood pressure on target | 76% | 75% |
| Diabetes: blood sugar (HbA1c) on target | 63% | 57% |
| Diabetes: annual foot check | 71% | 78% |
| Asthma: annual review | 34% | 66% |
Other surgeries nearby
| Surgery | Distance | Score | Easy by phone | Rated good | New patients |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marston Forest Healthcarethis surgery | – | 24 | 53% | 65% | Yes |
| The Vale Medical PracticeBedford, MK43 9JJ | 2.2 miles | 62 | 65% | 82% | Yes |
| Greensand Surgery (Ampthill)Bedford, MK45 2SB | 3.5 miles | 79 | 71% | 83% | Yes |
| Houghton Close SurgeryBedford, MK45 2TG | 3.5 miles | 71 | 70% | 79% | Yes |
| King Street SurgeryBedford, MK42 8QD | 4.4 miles | 29 | 38% | 75% | Yes |
| Flitwick SurgeryBedford, MK45 1DW | 4.7 miles | 63 | 68% | 77% | Yes |
| Queens Park Health CentreBedford, MK40 4HR | 5.3 miles | 30 | 52% | 64% | Yes |
| Cauldwell Medical CentreBedford, MK42 9DJ | 5.5 miles | 2 | 31% | 59% | – |
| Brooklands Health CentreMilton Keynes, MK10 7LN | 5.5 miles | 0 | 17% | 55% | Yes |
| Asplands Medical CentreMilton Keynes, MK17 8QP | 5.6 miles | 83 | 76% | 87% | Yes |
The Vale Medical Practice is 2.2 miles away, scores 62 and is taking on new patients. You can usually join any surgery that covers your address.
Common questions
Is Marston Forest Healthcare taking on new patients?
Yes. When we last checked its page on the NHS website (20 September 2026), Marston Forest Healthcare was taking on new patients. You can register online through the NHS website or call the surgery on 01234 766551.
How do patients rate Marston Forest Healthcare?
In the 2026 NHS GP Patient Survey, 65% of patients at Marston Forest Healthcare said their overall experience was good. The England average is 77%. 53% found it easy to get through by phone (England 57%). Its GPScore is 24 out of 100, grade D, which puts it in the second-worst 20% of GP surgeries in England.
What are the opening times of Marston Forest Healthcare?
Reception is open Monday 8am 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 18 September 2024. Bank holidays may differ.
How do I contact Marston Forest Healthcare?
Call 01234 766551 or visit its website, www.marstonforesthealthcare.co.uk. You can also book and order repeat prescriptions in the NHS App. The address is 59 Bedford Road, Marston Moretaine, Bedford, MK43 0LA.
Does Marston Forest Healthcare have a branch surgery?
Yes. Marston Forest Healthcare also runs Cranfield Surgery (137 High Street, Cranfield, Bedford, MK43 0HZ). Patients register with the practice and can usually be seen at either site.
How many patients are registered at Marston Forest Healthcare?
Around 10,845 patients are registered (January 2025). The surgery is part of Green Vale Health 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.