GP surgery in East Suffolk

Sole Bay H/C

Teal Close, Reydon, Southwold, IP18 6GY

Taking on new patientsInspection: Outstanding5,446 patients

Scores 100 out of 100, excellent for a GP surgery in England. 96% of patients say their experience is good and 96% find it easy to get through on the phone (England: 77% and 57%). Inspectors rated it Outstanding in 2016. It is taking on new patients.

Excellent Scores higher than 100% of GP surgeries in England. 1st of 12 in East Suffolk Based on 125 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 99

  • Easy to get through on the phone98
  • Easy to contact online93
  • Good experience of getting in touch99
  • Did not wait too long for the appointment97

Quality of care 100

  • Patients rate the surgery as good97
  • Patients got what they needed99
  • Doctors and nurses listen94
  • Patients trust the staff96
  • Inspection rating (Outstanding)98
  • Health checks and screening done84
  • Meets NHS clinical targets85
  • Children vaccinated on time99

What patients say

125 patients answered the 2026 NHS survey about this surgery.

96%

find the phone easy

well above the England average (57%)

96%

say their experience is good

well above the England average (77%)

+2

change since last year

2025: 94% · 2026: 96%

Getting in touch

Contacted the surgery by phone77%
Had their call answered straight away43%
Gave up or got no answer0%
Knew what would happen next straight away86%

The appointment

Were seen the same day36%
Waited more than a week27%
Were seen face to face85%
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 96% 57% 92%
Easy to contact via website 80% 58% 70%
Easy to contact via NHS App 62% 54% 56%
Reception staff helpful 99% 85% 99%
Seeing the same person
Has a preferred clinician 38% 31% 50%
Sees preferred clinician 69% 42% 55%
What happened when they got in touch
Knew what would happen next 97% 84% 97%
Next steps within 2 days 99% 93% 91%
Good experience of contacting 97% 73% 97%
The appointment
Offered a choice of time or day 89% 57% 72%
Waiting time was about right 93% 69% 80%
Remote appointment 15% 26% 15%
The doctor or nurse
Good at listening 97% 87% 92%
Treated with care and concern 97% 86% 90%
Considered mental wellbeing 88% 75% 76%
Had all the information needed 99% 92% 94%
Confidence and trust 99% 93% 99%
Involved in decisions 100% 92% 85%
Needs were met 99% 90% 93%
Overall
Overall experience good 96% 77% 94%
Living with a long-term condition
Confident managing conditions 90% 79% 88%
Supported by local services 79% 70% 88%
Discussed managing condition 59% 43% 64%
Agreed a care plan 54% 46% 46%

Green means at least 2 points better than England, red at least 2 points worse. With about 125 replies, a gap of a few points may just be chance.

Opening times and contact

Monday8:30am to 6:30pm
Tuesday8:30am to 6:30pm
Wednesday8:30am to 6:30pm
Thursday8:30am to 6:30pm
Friday8:30am to 6:30pm
SaturdayClosed
SundayClosed

Confirmed by the surgery on 17 December 2014. Bank holidays may differ.

Address
Teal Close, Reydon, Southwold, IP18 6GY
Phone
01502 722326
Website
www.solebayhealthcentre.co.uk
Online
Book, order repeat prescriptions and see records in the NHS App
Works with
South Waveney PCN (a group of local surgeries that share services)
NHS code
D83022 · NHS profile

Access and facilities

  • Disabled parking
  • Disabled toilet
  • Induction loop
  • Step-free access
  • Wheelchair access
  • Disabled parking

Pins show each surgery's score. Get directions

Inspection rating

By the Care Quality Commission, the NHS regulator

Outstanding

overall, from the inspection published 11 February 2016

This rating is 10 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?Outstanding
Is it responsive?Good
Is it well-led?Outstanding

About the patients

NHS records for the people registered here

5,446registered patients
Better off than mosthow well off the local area is
85.1years life expectancy locally (England 83.0)

Common health conditions

ConditionHereEngland
Hypertension20.5%15.2%
Diabetes7.8%7.9%
Asthma8.5%6.6%
COPD2.2%1.9%
Coronary heart disease4.8%3.0%
Depression11.4%14.3%
Obesity13.3%13.9%
Smoking11.1%13.5%

Health checks done

CheckHereEngland
Cervical screening, women 25-4977%67%
Cervical screening, women 50-6482%75%
Blood pressure controlled (hypertension, under 80)74%68%
Blood pressure checked in last 5 years (45+)90%87%
Diabetes: blood pressure on target87%75%
Diabetes: blood sugar (HbA1c) on target70%57%
Diabetes: annual foot check88%78%
Asthma: annual review63%66%

What patients tell us

From people who use this surgery. Official data cannot tell you these things.

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Common questions

Is Sole Bay H/C taking on new patients?

Yes. When we last checked its page on the NHS website (20 September 2026), Sole Bay H/C was taking on new patients. You can register online through the NHS website or call the surgery on 01502 722326.

How do patients rate Sole Bay H/C?

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

What is the inspection rating for Sole Bay H/C?

The Care Quality Commission, which inspects GP surgeries in England, rated Sole Bay H/C as Outstanding at its last published inspection (report published 11 February 2016).

What are the opening times of Sole Bay H/C?

Reception is open Monday 8:30am to 6:30pm, Tuesday 8:30am to 6:30pm, Wednesday 8:30am to 6:30pm, Thursday 8:30am to 6:30pm, Friday 8:30am to 6:30pm, Saturday closed, Sunday closed. The surgery last confirmed these times on 17 December 2014. Bank holidays may differ.

How do I contact Sole Bay H/C?

Call 01502 722326 or visit its website, www.solebayhealthcentre.co.uk. You can also book and order repeat prescriptions in the NHS App. The address is Teal Close, Reydon, Southwold, IP18 6GY.

How many patients are registered at Sole Bay H/C?

Around 5,446 patients are registered (January 2025). The surgery is part of South Waveney PCN, a group of local surgeries that share staff and services, in the Norfolk and Suffolk 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.