GP surgery in Blackburn

Oakenhurst Medical Practice

Barbara Castle Way Health Centre, Simmons Street, Blackburn, BB2 1AX

Taking on new patientsInspection: Good10,137 patients

Scores 61 out of 100, good for a GP surgery in England. 84% of patients say their experience is good and 63% 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.

Good Scores higher than 61% of GP surgeries in England. 4th of 18 in Blackburn Based on 109 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 61

  • Easy to get through on the phone53
  • Easy to contact online35
  • Good experience of getting in touch62
  • Did not wait too long for the appointment68

Quality of care 60

  • Patients rate the surgery as good67
  • Patients got what they needed56
  • Doctors and nurses listen66
  • Patients trust the staff47
  • Inspection rating (Good)50
  • Health checks and screening done70
  • Meets NHS clinical targets25
  • Children vaccinated on time10

What patients say

109 patients answered the 2026 NHS survey about this surgery.

63%

find the phone easy

above the England average (57%)

84%

say their experience is good

above the England average (77%)

+2

change since last year

2025: 82% · 2026: 84%

Getting in touch

Contacted the surgery by phone82%
Had their call answered straight away17%
Gave up or got no answer2%
Knew what would happen next straight away81%

The appointment

Were seen the same day46%
Waited more than a week17%
Were seen face to face80%
Saw a GP (rather than a nurse or other staff)73%
All survey questions, compared with England
What patients saidThis surgeryEnglandLast year
Getting in touch
Easy to get through by phone 63% 57% 54%
Easy to contact via website 52% 58% 37%
Easy to contact via NHS App 48% 54% 39%
Reception staff helpful 93% 85% 84%
Seeing the same person
Has a preferred clinician 35% 31% 44%
Sees preferred clinician 19% 42% 35%
What happened when they got in touch
Knew what would happen next 89% 84% 85%
Next steps within 2 days 99% 93% 97%
Good experience of contacting 79% 73% 66%
The appointment
Offered a choice of time or day 58% 57% 51%
Waiting time was about right 77% 69% 76%
Remote appointment 20% 26% 20%
The doctor or nurse
Good at listening 91% 87% 90%
Treated with care and concern 92% 86% 93%
Considered mental wellbeing 76% 75% 87%
Had all the information needed 94% 92% 97%
Confidence and trust 93% 93% 96%
Involved in decisions 94% 92% 94%
Needs were met 92% 90% 96%
Overall
Overall experience good 84% 77% 82%
Living with a long-term condition
Confident managing conditions 73% 79% 76%
Supported by local services 74% 70% 92%
Discussed managing condition 46% 43% 57%
Agreed a care plan 55% 46% 39%

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?

Reviews

No reviews yet. If you use this surgery, say what it is like.

Write a review

Your rating

Reviews are checked by a person before they appear. Please do not name individual staff or include personal medical details.

Opening times and contact

Monday8am to 6:30pm
Tuesday8am to 6:30pm
Wednesday8am to 6:30pm
Thursday8am to 6:30pm
Friday8am to 6:30pm
SaturdayClosed
SundayClosed

Confirmed by the surgery on 12 September 2024. Bank holidays may differ.

Address
Barbara Castle Way Health Centre, Simmons Street, Blackburn, BB2 1AX
Phone
01254 915823
Online
Book, order repeat prescriptions and see records in the NHS App
Works with
Blackburn West PCN (a group of local surgeries that share services)
NHS code
P81125 · NHS profile

Branch surgery

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

Mellor Surgery
St. Marys Gardens, Mellor, Blackburn, BB2 7JW · 01254 812810

Access and facilities

  • Disabled parking
  • Disabled toilet
  • Step-free access
  • Text relay
  • Wheelchair access
  • Baby changing facility
  • Baby changing facility
  • Car 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 25 November 2016

This rating is 9 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

10,137registered patients
Among the pooresthow well off the local area is
81.6years life expectancy locally (England 83.0)

Common health conditions

ConditionHereEngland
Hypertension16.5%15.2%
Diabetes9.0%7.9%
Asthma6.6%6.6%
COPD1.8%1.9%
Coronary heart disease3.7%3.0%
Depression15.3%14.3%
Obesity12.7%13.9%
Smoking13.9%13.5%

Health checks done

CheckHereEngland
Cervical screening, women 25-4962%67%
Cervical screening, women 50-6471%75%
Blood pressure controlled (hypertension, under 80)75%68%
Blood pressure checked in last 5 years (45+)87%87%
Diabetes: blood pressure on target82%75%
Diabetes: blood sugar (HbA1c) on target67%57%
Diabetes: annual foot check89%78%
Asthma: annual review73%66%

Other surgeries nearby

All surgeries in Blackburn →

SurgeryDistanceScoreEasy by phoneRated goodNew patients
Oakenhurst Medical Practicethis surgery6163%84%Yes
Family PracticeBlackburn, BB2 1AXunder 0.1 miles840%58%Yes
Olive Medical CentreBlackburn, BB1 7EP0.2 miles328%63%Yes
Primrose Bank Medical CentreBlackburn, BB1 5ER0.6 miles039%54%Yes
Limefield SurgeryBlackburn, BB2 6PL0.6 miles5876%79%Yes
Shifa SurgeryBlackburn, BB1 6DY0.7 miles1050%65%Yes
Redlam SurgeryBlackburn, BB2 1UW0.8 miles7484%83%Yes
St Georges SurgeryBlackburn, BB2 3HS1.0 miles3966%75%Yes
William Hopwood Street SurgeryBlackburn, BB1 1LX1.0 miles3156%73%Yes
Pringle Street SurgeryBlackburn, BB1 1SB1.0 miles4068%76%Yes

Redlam Surgery is 0.8 miles away, scores 74 and is taking on new patients. You can usually join any surgery that covers your address.

Common questions

Is Oakenhurst Medical Practice taking on new patients?

Yes. When we last checked its page on the NHS website (20 September 2026), Oakenhurst Medical Practice was taking on new patients. You can register online through the NHS website or call the surgery on 01254 915823.

How do patients rate Oakenhurst Medical Practice?

In the 2026 NHS GP Patient Survey, 84% of patients at Oakenhurst Medical Practice said their overall experience was good. The England average is 77%. 63% found it easy to get through by phone (England 57%). Its GPScore is 61 out of 100, grade B, which puts it in the second-best 20% of GP surgeries in England.

What is the inspection rating for Oakenhurst Medical Practice?

The Care Quality Commission, which inspects GP surgeries in England, rated Oakenhurst Medical Practice as Good at its last published inspection (report published 25 November 2016).

What are the opening times of Oakenhurst Medical Practice?

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 12 September 2024. Bank holidays may differ.

How do I contact Oakenhurst Medical Practice?

Call 01254 915823. You can also book and order repeat prescriptions in the NHS App. The address is Barbara Castle Way Health Centre, Simmons Street, Blackburn, BB2 1AX.

Does Oakenhurst Medical Practice have a branch surgery?

Yes. Oakenhurst Medical Practice also runs Mellor Surgery (St. Marys Gardens, Mellor, Blackburn, BB2 7JW). Patients register with the practice and can usually be seen at either site.

How many patients are registered at Oakenhurst Medical Practice?

Around 10,137 patients are registered (January 2025). The surgery is part of Blackburn West PCN, a group of local surgeries that share staff and services, in the Lancashire and South 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.