GP surgery in Northam

Northam Surgery

Bay View Road, Northam, Bideford, EX39 1AZ

Taking on new patientsInspection: Outstanding12,997 patients

Scores 84 out of 100, excellent for a GP surgery in England. 88% of patients say their experience is good and 89% find it easy to get through on the phone (England: 77% and 57%). Inspectors rated it Outstanding in 2016. It is taking on new patients.

Excellent Scores higher than 84% of GP surgeries in England. Based on 106 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 76

  • Easy to get through on the phone93
  • Easy to contact online89
  • Good experience of getting in touch75
  • Did not wait too long for the appointment39

Quality of care 88

  • Patients rate the surgery as good80
  • Patients got what they needed66
  • Doctors and nurses listen72
  • Patients trust the staff55
  • Inspection rating (Outstanding)98
  • Health checks and screening done61
  • Meets NHS clinical targets72
  • Children vaccinated on time68

What patients say

106 patients answered the 2026 NHS survey about this surgery.

89%

find the phone easy

well above the England average (57%)

88%

say their experience is good

well above the England average (77%)

-5

change since last year

2025: 93% · 2026: 88%

Getting in touch

Contacted the surgery by phone55%
Had their call answered straight away13%
Gave up or got no answer2%
Knew what would happen next straight away64%

The appointment

Were seen the same day9%
Waited more than a week55%
Were seen face to face77%
Saw a GP (rather than a nurse or other staff)68%
All survey questions, compared with England
What patients saidThis surgeryEnglandLast year
Getting in touch
Easy to get through by phone 89% 57% 81%
Easy to contact via website 77% 58% 66%
Easy to contact via NHS App 85% 54% 70%
Reception staff helpful 92% 85% 93%
Seeing the same person
Has a preferred clinician 44% 31% 42%
Sees preferred clinician 47% 42% 62%
What happened when they got in touch
Knew what would happen next 91% 84% 93%
Next steps within 2 days 94% 93% 98%
Good experience of contacting 84% 73% 87%
The appointment
Offered a choice of time or day 78% 57% 70%
Waiting time was about right 68% 69% 67%
Remote appointment 23% 26% 19%
The doctor or nurse
Good at listening 92% 87% 97%
Treated with care and concern 90% 86% 98%
Considered mental wellbeing 82% 75% 89%
Had all the information needed 96% 92% 97%
Confidence and trust 94% 93% 97%
Involved in decisions 99% 92% 97%
Needs were met 93% 90% 92%
Overall
Overall experience good 88% 77% 93%
Living with a long-term condition
Confident managing conditions 69% 79% 90%
Supported by local services 75% 70% 89%
Discussed managing condition 35% 43% 38%
Agreed a care plan 51% 46% 49%

Green means at least 2 points better than England, red at least 2 points worse. With about 106 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

Monday8am to 6pm
Tuesday8am to 6pm
Wednesday8am to 6pm
Thursday8am to 6pm
Friday8am to 6pm
SaturdayClosed
SundayClosed

Confirmed by the surgery on 5 December 2023. Bank holidays may differ.

Address
Bay View Road, Northam, Bideford, EX39 1AZ
Phone
01237 474994
Online
Book, order repeat prescriptions and see records in the NHS App
Works with
Torridge PCN (a group of local surgeries that share services)
NHS code
L83050 · NHS profile

Access and facilities

  • Braille translation service
  • Disabled parking
  • Disabled toilet
  • Induction loop
  • Signing service
  • Step-free access
  • Text relay
  • Wheelchair access
  • Baby changing facility
  • Baby changing facility
  • Car parking
  • Cycle parking
  • Disabled parking

Pins show each surgery's score. Get directions

Inspection rating

By the Care Quality Commission, the NHS regulator

Outstanding

overall, from the inspection published 6 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?Outstanding
Is it responsive?Outstanding
Is it well-led?Outstanding

About the patients

NHS records for the people registered here

12,997registered patients
Better off than mosthow well off the local area is
83.6years life expectancy locally (England 83.0)

Common health conditions

ConditionHereEngland
Hypertension20.9%15.2%
Diabetes8.3%7.9%
Asthma7.8%6.6%
COPD2.4%1.9%
Coronary heart disease5.6%3.0%
Depression10.4%14.3%
Obesity15.7%13.9%
Smoking12.9%13.5%

Health checks done

CheckHereEngland
Cervical screening, women 25-4972%67%
Cervical screening, women 50-6474%75%
Blood pressure controlled (hypertension, under 80)71%68%
Blood pressure checked in last 5 years (45+)89%87%
Diabetes: blood pressure on target77%75%
Diabetes: blood sugar (HbA1c) on target59%57%
Diabetes: annual foot check86%78%
Asthma: annual review73%66%

Other surgeries nearby

All surgeries in Northam →

SurgeryDistanceScoreEasy by phoneRated goodNew patients
Northam Surgerythis surgery8489%88%Yes
Bideford Medical CentreBideford, EX39 3AF1.5 miles8067%81%Yes
Wooda SurgeryBideford, EX39 4AU1.5 miles9181%97%Yes
Fremington Medical CentreBarnstaple, EX31 2PG4.6 miles6068%80%Yes
Caen Medical CentreBraunton, EX33 1LR5.3 miles2643%73%Yes
Torrington Health CentreTorrington, EX38 8EL6.8 miles9296%90%Yes
Castle Gardens SurgeryTorrington, EX38 8EU6.8 miles8680%92%Yes
Brannam Medical CentreBarnstaple, EX32 8GP7.4 miles7777%90%Yes
Queen's Medical CentreBarnstaple, EX32 8HY7.5 miles2453%78%Yes
Litchdon Medical CentreBarnstaple, EX32 9LL7.9 miles5880%82%Yes

Common questions

Is Northam Surgery taking on new patients?

Yes. When we last checked its page on the NHS website (20 September 2026), Northam Surgery was taking on new patients. You can register online through the NHS website or call the surgery on 01237 474994.

How do patients rate Northam Surgery?

In the 2026 NHS GP Patient Survey, 88% of patients at Northam Surgery said their overall experience was good. The England average is 77%. 89% found it easy to get through by phone (England 57%). Its GPScore is 84 out of 100, grade A, which puts it in the top 20% of GP surgeries in England.

What is the inspection rating for Northam Surgery?

The Care Quality Commission, which inspects GP surgeries in England, rated Northam Surgery as Outstanding at its last published inspection (report published 6 June 2016).

What are the opening times of Northam Surgery?

Reception is open Monday 8am to 6pm, Tuesday 8am to 6pm, Wednesday 8am to 6pm, Thursday 8am to 6pm, Friday 8am to 6pm, Saturday closed, Sunday closed. The surgery last confirmed these times on 5 December 2023. Bank holidays may differ.

How do I contact Northam Surgery?

Call 01237 474994. You can also book and order repeat prescriptions in the NHS App. The address is Bay View Road, Northam, Bideford, EX39 1AZ.

How many patients are registered at Northam Surgery?

Around 12,997 patients are registered (January 2025). The surgery is part of Torridge PCN, a group of local surgeries that share staff and services, in the Devon 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.