GP surgery in Dover

Pencester Surgery

10 Pencester Road, Dover, CT16 1BW

Taking on new patientsInspection: Good12,201 patients

Scores 10 out of 100, poor for a GP surgery in England. 59% of patients say their experience is good and 33% find it easy to get through on the phone (England: 77% and 57%). Inspectors rated it Good in 2018. It is taking on new patients.

Poor Scores higher than 10% of GP surgeries in England. 9th of 9 in Dover Based on 111 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 17

  • Easy to get through on the phone8
  • Easy to contact online32
  • Good experience of getting in touch10
  • Did not wait too long for the appointment47

Quality of care 6

  • Patients rate the surgery as good6
  • Patients got what they needed24
  • Doctors and nurses listen8
  • Patients trust the staff7
  • Inspection rating (Good)50
  • Health checks and screening done9
  • Meets NHS clinical targets38
  • Children vaccinated on time42

What patients say

111 patients answered the 2026 NHS survey about this surgery.

33%

find the phone easy

well below the England average (57%)

59%

say their experience is good

well below the England average (77%)

+13

change since last year

2025: 47% · 2026: 59%

Getting in touch

Contacted the surgery by phone41%
Had their call answered straight away0%
Gave up or got no answer3%
Knew what would happen next straight away49%

The appointment

Were seen the same day33%
Waited more than a week26%
Were seen face to face41%
Saw a GP (rather than a nurse or other staff)40%
All survey questions, compared with England
What patients saidThis surgeryEnglandLast year
Getting in touch
Easy to get through by phone 33% 57% 22%
Easy to contact via website 51% 58% 23%
Easy to contact via NHS App 57% 54% 26%
Reception staff helpful 83% 85% 68%
Seeing the same person
Has a preferred clinician 39% 31% 50%
Sees preferred clinician 36% 42% 44%
What happened when they got in touch
Knew what would happen next 81% 84% 75%
Next steps within 2 days 92% 93% 92%
Good experience of contacting 58% 73% 48%
The appointment
Offered a choice of time or day 43% 57% 47%
Waiting time was about right 71% 69% 61%
Remote appointment 59% 26% 41%
The doctor or nurse
Good at listening 77% 87% 78%
Treated with care and concern 79% 86% 79%
Considered mental wellbeing 74% 75% 68%
Had all the information needed 87% 92% 80%
Confidence and trust 85% 93% 84%
Involved in decisions 85% 92% 85%
Needs were met 87% 90% 77%
Overall
Overall experience good 59% 77% 46%
Living with a long-term condition
Confident managing conditions 73% 79% 66%
Supported by local services 68% 70% 59%
Discussed managing condition 35% 43% 46%
Agreed a care plan 39% 46% 38%

Green means at least 2 points better than England, red at least 2 points worse. With about 111 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

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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 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 21 July 2020. Bank holidays may differ.

Address
10 Pencester Road, Dover, CT16 1BW
Phone
01304 240553
Online
Book, order repeat prescriptions and see records in the NHS App
Works with
Total Health Excellence East PCN (a group of local surgeries that share services)
NHS code
G82015 · NHS profile

Access and facilities

  • Disabled parking
  • Disabled toilet
  • Step-free access
  • Wheelchair access
  • 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 19 December 2018

This rating is 7 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

12,201registered patients
Among the pooresthow well off the local area is
81.1years life expectancy locally (England 83.0)

Common health conditions

ConditionHereEngland
Hypertension13.8%15.2%
Diabetes8.3%7.9%
Asthma5.8%6.6%
COPD2.4%1.9%
Coronary heart disease2.6%3.0%
Depression21.7%14.3%
Obesity9.9%13.9%
Smoking23.4%13.5%

Health checks done

CheckHereEngland
Cervical screening, women 25-4954%67%
Cervical screening, women 50-6456%75%
Blood pressure controlled (hypertension, under 80)58%68%
Blood pressure checked in last 5 years (45+)82%87%
Diabetes: blood pressure on target69%75%
Diabetes: blood sugar (HbA1c) on target51%57%
Diabetes: annual foot check58%78%
Asthma: annual review67%66%

Other surgeries nearby

All surgeries in Dover →

SurgeryDistanceScoreEasy by phoneRated goodNew patients
Pencester Surgerythis surgery1033%59%Yes
St James' SurgeryDover, CT16 1SF0.2 miles3556%78%No
High Street SurgeryDover, CT16 1EQ0.3 miles6473%79%Yes
White Cliffs Medical CentreDover, CT17 9SG0.5 miles1150%70%Yes
Buckland Medical PracticeDover, CT16 2NP1.0 miles3864%69%Yes
Lydden SurgeryDover, CT15 7ET4.0 miles7470%88%Yes
The New SurgeryFolkestone, CT19 5SR6.2 miles236%49%Yes
Harbour Medical PracticeFolkestone, CT20 1JY6.5 miles546%48%Yes
St Richards Road SurgeryDeal, CT14 9LF6.5 miles2645%74%Yes
Guildhall Street SurgeryFolkestone, CT20 1EJ6.6 miles1635%74%Yes

High Street Surgery is 0.3 miles away, scores 64 and is taking on new patients. You can usually join any surgery that covers your address.

Common questions

Is Pencester Surgery taking on new patients?

Yes. When we last checked its page on the NHS website (20 September 2026), Pencester Surgery was taking on new patients. You can register online through the NHS website or call the surgery on 01304 240553.

How do patients rate Pencester Surgery?

In the 2026 NHS GP Patient Survey, 59% of patients at Pencester Surgery said their overall experience was good. The England average is 77%. 33% found it easy to get through by phone (England 57%). Its GPScore is 10 out of 100, grade E, which puts it in the bottom 20% of GP surgeries in England.

What is the inspection rating for Pencester Surgery?

The Care Quality Commission, which inspects GP surgeries in England, rated Pencester Surgery as Good at its last published inspection (report published 19 December 2018).

What are the opening times of Pencester Surgery?

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 21 July 2020. Bank holidays may differ.

How do I contact Pencester Surgery?

Call 01304 240553. You can also book and order repeat prescriptions in the NHS App. The address is 10 Pencester Road, Dover, CT16 1BW.

How many patients are registered at Pencester Surgery?

Around 12,201 patients are registered (January 2025). The surgery is part of Total Health Excellence East PCN, a group of local surgeries that share staff and services, in the Kent and Medway 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.