GP surgery in Chelmsford

Rivermead Gate Medical Centre

123 Rectory Lane, Chelmsford, CM1 1TR

Taking on new patientsInspection: Good14,447 patients

Scores 19 out of 100, poor for a GP surgery in England. 68% of patients say their experience is good and 39% find it easy to get through on the phone (England: 77% and 57%). Inspectors rated it Good in 2017. It is taking on new patients.

Poor Scores higher than 19% of GP surgeries in England. 8th of 10 in Chelmsford Based on 126 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 26

  • Easy to get through on the phone13
  • Easy to contact online53
  • Good experience of getting in touch26
  • Did not wait too long for the appointment45

Quality of care 15

  • Patients rate the surgery as good17
  • Patients got what they needed51
  • Doctors and nurses listen35
  • Patients trust the staff21
  • Inspection rating (Good)50
  • Health checks and screening done4
  • Meets NHS clinical targets4
  • Children vaccinated on time34

What patients say

126 patients answered the 2026 NHS survey about this surgery.

39%

find the phone easy

well below the England average (57%)

68%

say their experience is good

well below the England average (77%)

+10

change since last year

2025: 58% · 2026: 68%

Getting in touch

Contacted the surgery by phone25%
Had their call answered straight away10%
Gave up or got no answer2%
Knew what would happen next straight away34%

The appointment

Were seen the same day33%
Waited more than a week27%
Were seen face to face77%
Saw a GP (rather than a nurse or other staff)61%
All survey questions, compared with England
What patients saidThis surgeryEnglandLast year
Getting in touch
Easy to get through by phone 39% 57% 34%
Easy to contact via website 59% 58% 59%
Easy to contact via NHS App 51% 54% 49%
Reception staff helpful 82% 85% 77%
Seeing the same person
Has a preferred clinician 17% 31% 26%
Sees preferred clinician 24% 42% 17%
What happened when they got in touch
Knew what would happen next 80% 84% 85%
Next steps within 2 days 94% 93% 89%
Good experience of contacting 67% 73% 59%
The appointment
Offered a choice of time or day 19% 57% 58%
Waiting time was about right 70% 69% 70%
Remote appointment 23% 26% 31%
The doctor or nurse
Good at listening 86% 87% 74%
Treated with care and concern 86% 86% 69%
Considered mental wellbeing 67% 75% 70%
Had all the information needed 85% 92% 88%
Confidence and trust 89% 93% 84%
Involved in decisions 89% 92% 85%
Needs were met 91% 90% 92%
Overall
Overall experience good 68% 77% 58%
Living with a long-term condition
Confident managing conditions 84% 79% 70%
Supported by local services 70% 70% 68%
Discussed managing condition 43% 43% 41%
Agreed a care plan 68% 46% 47%

Green means at least 2 points better than England, red at least 2 points worse. With about 126 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 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 8 January 2026. Bank holidays may differ.

Address
123 Rectory Lane, Chelmsford, CM1 1TR
Phone
01245 348688
Email
[email protected]
Website
www.rmgmc.co.uk
Online
Book, order repeat prescriptions and see records in the NHS App
Works with
Chelmer PCN (a group of local surgeries that share services)
NHS code
F81071 · NHS profile

Access and facilities

  • Accessible toilets
  • Baby-changing facilities
  • Bus stop nearby
  • Cycle parking
  • Disability awareness and equality training for staff
  • Disabled car parking
  • Free NHS WiFi
  • Free on-site car parking
  • Hearing loop or induction loop: helps to improve sound for hearing aid users
  • Lift
  • Step-free access throughout
  • Toilets
  • Train station nearby
  • Wheelchair access throughout

Pins show each surgery's score. Get directions

Inspection rating

By the Care Quality Commission, the NHS regulator

Good

overall, from the inspection published 27 June 2017

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

14,447registered patients
Better off than mosthow well off the local area is
83.4years life expectancy locally (England 83.0)

Common health conditions

ConditionHereEngland
Hypertension11.1%15.2%
Diabetes6.4%7.9%
Asthma5.1%6.6%
COPD1.0%1.9%
Coronary heart disease2.0%3.0%
Depression7.2%14.3%
Obesity10.6%13.9%
Smoking11.9%13.5%

Health checks done

CheckHereEngland
Cervical screening, women 25-4958%67%
Cervical screening, women 50-6476%75%
Blood pressure controlled (hypertension, under 80)58%68%
Blood pressure checked in last 5 years (45+)86%87%
Diabetes: blood pressure on target64%75%
Diabetes: blood sugar (HbA1c) on target47%57%
Diabetes: annual foot check65%78%
Asthma: annual review51%66%

Other surgeries nearby

All surgeries in Chelmsford →

SurgeryDistanceScoreEasy by phoneRated goodNew patients
Rivermead Gate Medical Centrethis surgery1939%68%Yes
Beauchamp HouseChelmsford, CM2 0DB0.8 miles4251%77%Yes
Chelmer Medical PartnershipChelmsford, CM1 4HW0.8 miles2232%75%Yes
Sutherland Lodge SurgeryChelmsford, CM2 7PY1.1 miles411%49%Yes
Whitley House SurgeryChelmsford, CM1 3RW1.2 miles7965%90%Yes
Chelmer Village SurgeryChelmsford, CM2 6ST1.4 miles2863%66%Yes
North Chelmsford NHS HccChelmsford, CM2 5EF1.8 miles8773%86%Yes
Baddow Village SurgeryChelmsford, CM2 7EZ2.0 miles8072%84%No
The Writtle SurgeryChelmsford, CM1 3EH2.1 miles731%66%Yes
Little Waltham & GT Notley SurgeryChelmsford, CM3 3LL3.2 miles4739%85%Yes

Beauchamp House is 0.8 miles away, scores 42 and is taking on new patients. You can usually join any surgery that covers your address.

Common questions

Is Rivermead Gate Medical Centre taking on new patients?

Yes. When we last checked its page on the NHS website (20 September 2026), Rivermead Gate Medical Centre was taking on new patients. You can register online through the NHS website or call the surgery on 01245 348688.

How do patients rate Rivermead Gate Medical Centre?

In the 2026 NHS GP Patient Survey, 68% of patients at Rivermead Gate Medical Centre said their overall experience was good. The England average is 77%. 39% found it easy to get through by phone (England 57%). Its GPScore is 19 out of 100, grade E, which puts it in the bottom 20% of GP surgeries in England.

What is the inspection rating for Rivermead Gate Medical Centre?

The Care Quality Commission, which inspects GP surgeries in England, rated Rivermead Gate Medical Centre as Good at its last published inspection (report published 27 June 2017).

What are the opening times of Rivermead Gate Medical Centre?

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 8 January 2026. Bank holidays may differ.

How do I contact Rivermead Gate Medical Centre?

Call 01245 348688 or visit its website, www.rmgmc.co.uk. You can also book and order repeat prescriptions in the NHS App. The address is 123 Rectory Lane, Chelmsford, CM1 1TR.

How many patients are registered at Rivermead Gate Medical Centre?

Around 14,447 patients are registered (January 2025). The surgery is part of Chelmer PCN, a group of local surgeries that share staff and services, in the Essex 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.