GP surgery in Darlington

Orchard Court Surgery

Orchard Court, Orchard Road, Darlington, DL3 6HZ

Taking on new patientsInspection: Outstanding8,636 patients

Scores 87 out of 100, excellent for a GP surgery in England. 96% of patients say their experience is good and 86% find it easy to get through on the phone (England: 77% and 57%). Inspectors rated it Outstanding in 2015. It is taking on new patients.

Excellent Scores higher than 87% of GP surgeries in England. 4th of 11 in Darlington Based on 86 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 78

  • Easy to get through on the phone91
  • Easy to contact online96
  • Good experience of getting in touch90
  • Did not wait too long for the appointment30

Quality of care 93

  • Patients rate the surgery as good98
  • Patients got what they needed50
  • Doctors and nurses listen42
  • Patients trust the staff60
  • Inspection rating (Outstanding)98
  • Health checks and screening done97
  • Meets NHS clinical targets76
  • Children vaccinated on time80

What patients say

86 patients answered the 2026 NHS survey about this surgery.

86%

find the phone easy

well above the England average (57%)

96%

say their experience is good

well above the England average (77%)

+6

change since last year

2025: 90% · 2026: 96%

Getting in touch

Contacted the surgery by phone51%
Had their call answered straight away54%
Gave up or got no answer4%
Knew what would happen next straight away60%

The appointment

Were seen the same day20%
Waited more than a week39%
Were seen face to face77%
Saw a GP (rather than a nurse or other staff)57%
All survey questions, compared with England
What patients saidThis surgeryEnglandLast year
Getting in touch
Easy to get through by phone 86% 57% 82%
Easy to contact via website 85% 58% 83%
Easy to contact via NHS App 67% 54% 75%
Reception staff helpful 98% 85% 96%
Seeing the same person
Has a preferred clinician 46% 31% 35%
Sees preferred clinician 34% 42% 61%
What happened when they got in touch
Knew what would happen next 95% 84% 93%
Next steps within 2 days 98% 93% 98%
Good experience of contacting 90% 73% 92%
The appointment
Offered a choice of time or day 62% 57% 84%
Waiting time was about right 64% 69% 71%
Remote appointment 23% 26% 19%
The doctor or nurse
Good at listening 87% 87% 91%
Treated with care and concern 94% 86% 91%
Considered mental wellbeing 78% 75% 81%
Had all the information needed 91% 92% 98%
Confidence and trust 95% 93% 93%
Involved in decisions 92% 92% 94%
Needs were met 91% 90% 90%
Overall
Overall experience good 96% 77% 90%
Living with a long-term condition
Confident managing conditions 88% 79% 82%
Supported by local services 88% 70% 80%
Discussed managing condition 45% 43% 40%
Agreed a care plan 61% 46% 59%

Green means at least 2 points better than England, red at least 2 points worse. With about 86 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
Tuesday7:30am to noon 1pm to 6pm
Wednesday7:30am to 6pm
Thursday7:30am to 6pm
Friday8am to 6pm
SaturdayClosed
SundayClosed

Confirmed by the surgery on 3 June 2025. Bank holidays may differ.

Address
Orchard Court, Orchard Road, Darlington, DL3 6HZ
Phone
01325 465285
Email
[email protected]
Website
www.orchardct.co.uk
Online
Book, order repeat prescriptions and see records in the NHS App
Works with
Darlington PCN (a group of local surgeries that share services)
NHS code
A83006 · NHS profile

Access and facilities

  • Accessible toilets
  • Baby-changing facilities
  • Bus stop nearby
  • Disability awareness and equality training for staff
  • Disabled car parking
  • Free on-site car parking
  • Step-free access at entrances and exits
  • Step-free access throughout
  • Toilets

Pins show each surgery's score. Get directions

Inspection rating

By the Care Quality Commission, the NHS regulator

Outstanding

overall, from the inspection published 21 May 2015

This rating is 11 years old. The CQC has not published a newer inspection.

Read the inspection report

The five questions inspectors ask

Is it safe?Outstanding
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

8,636registered patients
Poorer than mosthow well off the local area is
81.3years life expectancy locally (England 83.0)

Common health conditions

ConditionHereEngland
Hypertension19.1%15.2%
Diabetes10.9%7.9%
Asthma7.9%6.6%
COPD2.8%1.9%
Coronary heart disease3.3%3.0%
Depression23.4%14.3%
Obesity21.2%13.9%
Smoking13.5%13.5%

Health checks done

CheckHereEngland
Cervical screening, women 25-4979%67%
Cervical screening, women 50-6481%75%
Blood pressure controlled (hypertension, under 80)76%68%
Blood pressure checked in last 5 years (45+)92%87%
Diabetes: blood pressure on target81%75%
Diabetes: blood sugar (HbA1c) on target68%57%
Diabetes: annual foot check62%78%
Asthma: annual review79%66%

Other surgeries nearby

All surgeries in Darlington →

SurgeryDistanceScoreEasy by phoneRated goodNew patients
Orchard Court Surgerythis surgery8786%96%Yes
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Blacketts Medical PracticeDarlington, DL3 7JR0.5 miles9693%89%Yes
Carmel Medical PracticeDarlington, DL3 8SQ0.6 miles4660%84%Yes
Denmark Street SurgeryDarlington, DL3 0PD0.7 miles5353%87%Yes
Parkgate SurgeryDarlington, DL1 5LW1.0 miles8577%86%Yes
Clifton Court Medical PracticeDarlington, DL1 5JN1.0 miles7075%83%Yes
Neasham Road SurgeryDarlington, DL1 4YL1.4 miles7075%83%Yes
Whinfield Medical PracticeDarlington, DL1 3RT1.9 miles4651%85%Yes
Rockliffe Court SurgeryDarlington, DL2 2DS3.5 miles10098%99%Yes

Rockliffe Court Surgery is 3.5 miles away, scores 100 and is taking on new patients. You can usually join any surgery that covers your address.

Common questions

Is Orchard Court Surgery taking on new patients?

Yes. When we last checked its page on the NHS website (20 September 2026), Orchard Court Surgery was taking on new patients. You can register online through the NHS website or call the surgery on 01325 465285.

How do patients rate Orchard Court Surgery?

In the 2026 NHS GP Patient Survey, 96% of patients at Orchard Court Surgery said their overall experience was good. The England average is 77%. 86% found it easy to get through by phone (England 57%). Its GPScore is 87 out of 100, grade A, which puts it in the top 20% of GP surgeries in England.

What is the inspection rating for Orchard Court Surgery?

The Care Quality Commission, which inspects GP surgeries in England, rated Orchard Court Surgery as Outstanding at its last published inspection (report published 21 May 2015).

What are the opening times of Orchard Court Surgery?

Reception is open Monday 8am to 6pm, Tuesday 7:30am to noon 1pm to 6pm, Wednesday 7:30am to 6pm, Thursday 7:30am to 6pm, Friday 8am to 6pm, Saturday closed, Sunday closed. The surgery last confirmed these times on 3 June 2025. Bank holidays may differ.

How do I contact Orchard Court Surgery?

Call 01325 465285 or visit its website, www.orchardct.co.uk. You can also book and order repeat prescriptions in the NHS App. The address is Orchard Court, Orchard Road, Darlington, DL3 6HZ.

How many patients are registered at Orchard Court Surgery?

Around 8,636 patients are registered (January 2025). The surgery is part of Darlington 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.