GP surgery in Chester-le-Street

Middle Chare Medical Group

Middle Chare Surgery, Middle Chare, Chester Le Street, DH3 3QD

Taking on new patientsInspection: Good9,381 patients

Scores 39 out of 100, below average for a GP surgery in England. 79% of patients say their experience is good and 35% 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.

Below average Scores higher than 39% of GP surgeries in England. 3rd of 4 in Chester-le-Street Based on 93 patient survey replies, the inspection rating and NHS records.

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 20

  • Easy to get through on the phone9
  • Easy to contact online7
  • Good experience of getting in touch48
  • Did not wait too long for the appointment24

Quality of care 67

  • Patients rate the surgery as good50
  • Patients got what they needed79
  • Doctors and nurses listen73
  • Patients trust the staff80
  • Inspection rating (Good)50
  • Health checks and screening done38
  • Meets NHS clinical targets79
  • Children vaccinated on time55

What patients say

93 patients answered the 2026 NHS survey about this surgery.

35%

find the phone easy

well below the England average (57%)

79%

say their experience is good

above the England average (77%)

-2

change since last year

2025: 81% · 2026: 79%

Getting in touch

Contacted the surgery by phone74%
Had their call answered straight away4%
Gave up or got no answer2%
Knew what would happen next straight away79%

The appointment

Were seen the same day27%
Waited more than a week33%
Were seen face to face83%
Saw a GP (rather than a nurse or other staff)50%
All survey questions, compared with England
What patients saidThis surgeryEnglandLast year
Getting in touch
Easy to get through by phone 35% 57% 41%
Easy to contact via website 34% 58% 47%
Easy to contact via NHS App 44% 54% 49%
Reception staff helpful 92% 85% 88%
Seeing the same person
Has a preferred clinician 24% 31% 18%
Sees preferred clinician 36% 42% 43%
What happened when they got in touch
Knew what would happen next 78% 84% 78%
Next steps within 2 days 94% 93% 96%
Good experience of contacting 75% 73% 74%
The appointment
Offered a choice of time or day 38% 57% 41%
Waiting time was about right 62% 69% 75%
Remote appointment 18% 26% 15%
The doctor or nurse
Good at listening 92% 87% 90%
Treated with care and concern 91% 86% 88%
Considered mental wellbeing 83% 75% 76%
Had all the information needed 94% 92% 93%
Confidence and trust 97% 93% 95%
Involved in decisions 99% 92% 97%
Needs were met 95% 90% 95%
Overall
Overall experience good 79% 77% 81%
Living with a long-term condition
Confident managing conditions 89% 79% 81%
Supported by local services 78% 70% 80%
Discussed managing condition 39% 43% 52%
Agreed a care plan 76% 46% 50%

Green means at least 2 points better than England, red at least 2 points worse. With about 93 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.

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1 of 10Last time you needed a routine appointment, how long did you wait?

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Opening times and contact

Monday8:15am to 6pm
Tuesday8:15am to 6pm
Wednesday8:15am to 8pm
Thursday8:15am to 6pm
Friday8:15am to 6pm
SaturdayClosed
SundayClosed

Confirmed by the surgery on 2 February 2026. Bank holidays may differ.

Address
Middle Chare Surgery, Middle Chare, Chester Le Street, DH3 3QD
Phone
0191 594 7654
Online
Book, order repeat prescriptions and see records in the NHS App
Works with
Chester Le Street PCN (a group of local surgeries that share services)
NHS code
A83028 · NHS profile

Branch surgery

Run by this practice from another building. Patients register with the practice, not the branch.

Woodlands Surgery
Vigo Lane, Rickleton, Washington, NE38 9EJ

Access and facilities

  • Disabled parking
  • Induction loop
  • Step-free access
  • Wheelchair access
  • Car parking
  • Cycle parking
  • Disabled parking

Pins show each surgery's score. Get directions

Inspection rating

By the Care Quality Commission, the NHS regulator

Good

overall, from the inspection published 23 June 2016

This rating is 10 years old. The CQC has not published a newer inspection.

Read the inspection report

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

9,381registered patients
Better off than mosthow well off the local area is
83.2years life expectancy locally (England 83.0)

Common health conditions

ConditionHereEngland
Hypertension21.0%15.2%
Diabetes9.4%7.9%
Asthma7.6%6.6%
COPD2.3%1.9%
Coronary heart disease3.8%3.0%
Depression17.6%14.3%
Obesity20.0%13.9%
Smoking10.1%13.5%

Health checks done

CheckHereEngland
Cervical screening, women 25-4969%67%
Cervical screening, women 50-6473%75%
Blood pressure controlled (hypertension, under 80)73%68%
Blood pressure checked in last 5 years (45+)92%87%
Diabetes: blood pressure on target78%75%
Diabetes: blood sugar (HbA1c) on target58%57%
Diabetes: annual foot check72%78%
Asthma: annual review58%66%
SurgeryDistanceScoreEasy by phoneRated goodNew patients
Middle Chare Medical Groupthis surgery3935%79%Yes
Bridge End SurgeryChester Le Street, DH3 3SL0.2 miles4335%78%Yes
Cestria Health CentreChester Le Street, DH2 3DJ1.0 miles3544%68%Yes
Villages Medical GroupChester Le Street, DH2 2NJ1.5 miles7781%83%Yes
Pelton & Fellrose Medical GroupChester Le Street, DH2 1HS1.7 miles3051%72%Yes
Great Lumley SurgeryChester Le Street, DH3 4LE1.8 miles9887%93%Yes
Rickleton Medical CentreWashington, NE38 9EH2.0 miles9290%94%Yes
I J HealthcareWashington, NE38 9AB2.4 miles6886%80%Yes
Birtley Medical GroupChester Le Street, DH3 2QT2.5 miles2048%67%Yes
Grangewood SurgeryHoughton Le Spring, DH4 4RB3.1 miles7686%85%Yes

Villages Medical Group is 1.5 miles away, scores 77 and is taking on new patients. You can usually join any surgery that covers your address.

Common questions

Is Middle Chare Medical Group taking on new patients?

Yes. When we last checked its page on the NHS website (20 September 2026), Middle Chare Medical Group was taking on new patients. You can register online through the NHS website or call the surgery on 0191 594 7654.

How do patients rate Middle Chare Medical Group?

In the 2026 NHS GP Patient Survey, 79% of patients at Middle Chare Medical Group said their overall experience was good. The England average is 77%. 35% found it easy to get through by phone (England 57%). Its GPScore is 39 out of 100, grade D, which puts it in the second-worst 20% of GP surgeries in England.

What is the inspection rating for Middle Chare Medical Group?

The Care Quality Commission, which inspects GP surgeries in England, rated Middle Chare Medical Group as Good at its last published inspection (report published 23 June 2016).

What are the opening times of Middle Chare Medical Group?

Reception is open Monday 8:15am to 6pm, Tuesday 8:15am to 6pm, Wednesday 8:15am to 8pm, Thursday 8:15am to 6pm, Friday 8:15am to 6pm, Saturday closed, Sunday closed. The surgery last confirmed these times on 2 February 2026. Bank holidays may differ.

How do I contact Middle Chare Medical Group?

Call 0191 594 7654. You can also book and order repeat prescriptions in the NHS App. The address is Middle Chare Surgery, Middle Chare, Chester Le Street, DH3 3QD.

Does Middle Chare Medical Group have a branch surgery?

Yes. Middle Chare Medical Group also runs Woodlands Surgery (Vigo Lane, Rickleton, Washington, NE38 9EJ). Patients register with the practice and can usually be seen at either site.

How many patients are registered at Middle Chare Medical Group?

Around 9,381 patients are registered (January 2025). The surgery is part of Chester Le Street 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.