GP surgery in Central Bedfordshire
Shefford Health Centre
Robert Lucas Drive, Shefford, SG17 5FS
Scores 31 out of 100, below average for a GP surgery in England. 72% of patients say their experience is good and 49% find it easy to get through on the phone (England: 77% and 57%). Inspectors rated it Good in 2024. It is taking on new patients.
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 39
- Easy to get through on the phone27
- Easy to contact online86
- Good experience of getting in touch43
- Did not wait too long for the appointment38
Quality of care 25
- Patients rate the surgery as good26
- Patients got what they needed10
- Doctors and nurses listen37
- Patients trust the staff26
- Inspection rating (Good)50
- Health checks and screening done55
- Meets NHS clinical targets51
- Children vaccinated on time67
What patients say
114 patients answered the 2026 NHS survey about this surgery.
49%
find the phone easy
below the England average (57%)
72%
say their experience is good
below the England average (77%)
-3
change since last year
2025: 74% · 2026: 72%
Getting in touch
The appointment
All survey questions, compared with England
| What patients said | This surgery | England | Last year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Getting in touch | |||
| Easy to get through by phone | 49% | 57% | 39% |
| Easy to contact via website | 75% | 58% | 67% |
| Easy to contact via NHS App | 69% | 54% | 42% |
| Reception staff helpful | 88% | 85% | 75% |
| Seeing the same person | |||
| Has a preferred clinician | 38% | 31% | 25% |
| Sees preferred clinician | 31% | 42% | 29% |
| What happened when they got in touch | |||
| Knew what would happen next | 82% | 84% | 76% |
| Next steps within 2 days | 93% | 93% | 95% |
| Good experience of contacting | 73% | 73% | 64% |
| The appointment | |||
| Offered a choice of time or day | 22% | 57% | 29% |
| Waiting time was about right | 67% | 69% | 65% |
| Remote appointment | 30% | 26% | 28% |
| The doctor or nurse | |||
| Good at listening | 86% | 87% | 86% |
| Treated with care and concern | 86% | 86% | 80% |
| Considered mental wellbeing | 68% | 75% | 71% |
| Had all the information needed | 89% | 92% | 93% |
| Confidence and trust | 90% | 93% | 95% |
| Involved in decisions | 90% | 92% | 94% |
| Needs were met | 83% | 90% | 95% |
| Overall | |||
| Overall experience good | 72% | 77% | 74% |
| Living with a long-term condition | |||
| Confident managing conditions | 81% | 79% | 86% |
| Supported by local services | 61% | 70% | 75% |
| Discussed managing condition | 32% | 43% | 37% |
| Agreed a care plan | 61% | 46% | 38% |
Green means at least 2 points better than England, red at least 2 points worse. With about 114 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?
2 of 10When you last phoned, how long did it take to get through?
3 of 10How did you book your last appointment?
4 of 10Can you usually see the same GP?
5 of 10Was your last appointment on time?
6 of 10Are the reception staff helpful?
7 of 10Did the doctor or nurse listen to you?
8 of 10How easy is it to get a repeat prescription?
9 of 10Is parking easy?
10 of 10Would you recommend this surgery?
Thank you. Your answers are counted.
Reviews
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Write a review
Opening times and contact
| 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 |
Confirmed by the surgery on 14 November 2025. Bank holidays may differ.
- Address
- Robert Lucas Drive, Shefford, SG17 5FS
- Phone
- 01462 818620
- [email protected]
- Website
- sheffordhealthcentre.gpsurgery.net
- Online
- Book, order repeat prescriptions and see records in the NHS App
- Works with
- Ivel Valley South PCN (a group of local surgeries that share services)
- NHS code
- E81033 · 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
- Enhanced lighting
- Free NHS WiFi
- Free on-site car parking
- Hearing loop or induction loop: helps to improve sound for hearing aid users
- Lift
- Parent and child parking spaces
- Pharmacy
- Step-free access at entrances and exits
Pins show each surgery's score. Get directions
Inspection rating
By the Care Quality Commission, the NHS regulator
The five questions inspectors ask
| Is it safe? | Good |
| Is it effective? | Good |
| Is it caring? | Good |
| Is it responsive? | Requires improvement |
| Is it well-led? | Good |
About the patients
NHS records for the people registered here
Common health conditions
| Condition | Here | England |
|---|---|---|
| Hypertension | 14.0% | 15.2% |
| Diabetes | 7.8% | 7.9% |
| Asthma | 6.9% | 6.6% |
| COPD | 1.2% | 1.9% |
| Coronary heart disease | 2.5% | 3.0% |
| Depression | 12.1% | 14.3% |
| Obesity | 10.5% | 13.9% |
| Smoking | 11.1% | 13.5% |
Health checks done
| Check | Here | England |
|---|---|---|
| Cervical screening, women 25-49 | 74% | 67% |
| Cervical screening, women 50-64 | 79% | 75% |
| Blood pressure controlled (hypertension, under 80) | 60% | 68% |
| Blood pressure checked in last 5 years (45+) | 88% | 87% |
| Diabetes: blood pressure on target | 76% | 75% |
| Diabetes: blood sugar (HbA1c) on target | 56% | 57% |
| Diabetes: annual foot check | 87% | 78% |
| Asthma: annual review | 65% | 66% |
Other surgeries nearby
| Surgery | Distance | Score | Easy by phone | Rated good | New patients |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shefford Health Centrethis surgery | – | 31 | 49% | 72% | Yes |
| Lower Stondon SurgeryHenlow, SG16 6JJ | 2.0 miles | 54 | 42% | 79% | Yes |
| Larksfield and Arlesey Medical PracticeHitchin, SG5 4HB | 3.9 miles | 23 | 31% | 67% | Yes |
| Saffron Health PartnershipBiggleswade, SG18 8DJ | 4.2 miles | 7 | 25% | 60% | Yes |
| Ivel Medical CentreBiggleswade, SG18 0RA | 4.6 miles | 7 | 25% | 53% | Yes |
| The Nevells Road SurgeryLetchworth Garden City, SG6 4TS | 5.4 miles | 29 | 35% | 66% | Yes |
| The Birchwood and Sollershott SurgeriesLetchworth Garden City, SG6 4UB | 5.5 miles | 2 | 39% | 58% | Yes |
| The Garden City SurgeryLetchworth Garden City, SG6 3BJ | 5.6 miles | 2 | 28% | 51% | Yes |
| Regal Chambers SurgeryHitchin, SG5 1LL | 6.0 miles | 41 | 44% | 72% | Yes |
| Bancroft Medical CentreHitchin, SG5 1LH | 6.1 miles | 21 | 37% | 71% | Yes |
Lower Stondon Surgery is 2.0 miles away, scores 54 and is taking on new patients. You can usually join any surgery that covers your address.
Common questions
Is Shefford Health Centre taking on new patients?
Yes. When we last checked its page on the NHS website (20 September 2026), Shefford Health Centre was taking on new patients. You can register online through the NHS website or call the surgery on 01462 818620.
How do patients rate Shefford Health Centre?
In the 2026 NHS GP Patient Survey, 72% of patients at Shefford Health Centre said their overall experience was good. The England average is 77%. 49% found it easy to get through by phone (England 57%). Its GPScore is 31 out of 100, grade D, which puts it in the second-worst 20% of GP surgeries in England.
What is the inspection rating for Shefford Health Centre?
The Care Quality Commission, which inspects GP surgeries in England, rated Shefford Health Centre as Good at its last published inspection (report published 24 April 2024).
What are the opening times of Shefford Health 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 14 November 2025. Bank holidays may differ.
How do I contact Shefford Health Centre?
Call 01462 818620 or visit its website, sheffordhealthcentre.gpsurgery.net. You can also book and order repeat prescriptions in the NHS App. The address is Robert Lucas Drive, Shefford, SG17 5FS.
How many patients are registered at Shefford Health Centre?
Around 20,092 patients are registered (January 2025). The surgery is part of Ivel Valley South PCN, a group of local surgeries that share staff and services, in the Central East 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.