GP surgery in County Durham
Southdene Medical Centre
Front Street, Shotton Colliery, Durham, DH6 2LT
Scores 93 out of 100, excellent for a GP surgery in England. 95% of patients say their experience is good and 91% find it easy to get through on the phone (England: 77% and 57%). Inspectors rated it Requires improvement in 2022. 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 92
- Easy to get through on the phone95
- Easy to contact online88
- Good experience of getting in touch93
- Did not wait too long for the appointment70
Quality of care 92
- Patients rate the surgery as good97
- Patients got what they needed92
- Doctors and nurses listen97
- Patients trust the staff90
- Inspection rating (Requires improvement)2
- Health checks and screening done94
- Meets NHS clinical targets65
- Children vaccinated on time68
What patients say
95 patients answered the 2026 NHS survey about this surgery.
91%
find the phone easy
well above the England average (57%)
95%
say their experience is good
well above the England average (77%)
+4
change since last year
2025: 91% · 2026: 95%
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 | 91% | 57% | 93% |
| Easy to contact via website | 76% | 58% | 49% |
| Easy to contact via NHS App | 84% | 54% | 43% |
| Reception staff helpful | 98% | 85% | 94% |
| Seeing the same person | |||
| Has a preferred clinician | 39% | 31% | 45% |
| Sees preferred clinician | 70% | 42% | 74% |
| What happened when they got in touch | |||
| Knew what would happen next | 92% | 84% | 97% |
| Next steps within 2 days | 100% | 93% | 95% |
| Good experience of contacting | 91% | 73% | 93% |
| The appointment | |||
| Offered a choice of time or day | 79% | 57% | 76% |
| Waiting time was about right | 78% | 69% | 90% |
| Remote appointment | 24% | 26% | 22% |
| The doctor or nurse | |||
| Good at listening | 98% | 87% | 91% |
| Treated with care and concern | 97% | 86% | 95% |
| Considered mental wellbeing | 92% | 75% | 89% |
| Had all the information needed | 95% | 92% | 93% |
| Confidence and trust | 98% | 93% | 95% |
| Involved in decisions | 98% | 92% | 95% |
| Needs were met | 98% | 90% | 96% |
| Overall | |||
| Overall experience good | 95% | 77% | 91% |
| Living with a long-term condition | |||
| Confident managing conditions | 83% | 79% | 71% |
| Supported by local services | 90% | 70% | 64% |
| Discussed managing condition | 57% | 43% | 58% |
| Agreed a care plan | 56% | 46% | 47% |
Green means at least 2 points better than England, red at least 2 points worse. With about 95 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 6pm |
| Tuesday | 8am to 6pm |
| Wednesday | 8am to 6pm |
| Thursday | 8am to 6pm |
| Friday | 8am to 6pm |
| Saturday | Closed |
| Sunday | Closed |
Confirmed by the surgery on 18 June 2026. Bank holidays may differ.
- Address
- Front Street, Shotton Colliery, Durham, DH6 2LT
- Phone
- 0191 526 5818
- [email protected]
- Website
- www.southdenemedicalcentre.co.uk
- Online
- Book, order repeat prescriptions and see records in the NHS App
- Works with
- Durham Coast PCN (a group of local surgeries that share services)
- NHS code
- A83619 · NHS profile
Branch surgeries
Run by this practice from another building. Patients register with the practice, not the branch.
- Haswell Branch Surgery
- Front Street East, Haswell, Durham, DH6 2BL · 0191 5263900
- Peterlee Health Centre
- Bede Way, Peterlee, SR8 1AD · 0191 5867414
Access and facilities
- Accessible toilets
- Bus stop nearby
- Disabled car parking
- Free on-site car parking
- Step-free access at entrances and exits
- Step-free access throughout
- Toilets
- Translation services
- Wheelchair access at entrances and exits
- Wheelchair access throughout
Pins show each surgery's score. Get directions
Inspection rating
By the Care Quality Commission, the NHS regulator
Requires improvement
overall, from the inspection published 30 August 2022
The five questions inspectors ask
| Is it safe? | Requires improvement |
| Is it effective? | Good |
| Is it caring? | Good |
| Is it responsive? | Good |
| Is it well-led? | Requires improvement |
About the patients
NHS records for the people registered here
Common health conditions
| Condition | Here | England |
|---|---|---|
| Hypertension | 17.3% | 15.2% |
| Diabetes | 10.9% | 7.9% |
| Asthma | 8.7% | 6.6% |
| COPD | 5.0% | 1.9% |
| Coronary heart disease | 3.8% | 3.0% |
| Depression | 23.8% | 14.3% |
| Obesity | 20.7% | 13.9% |
| Smoking | 18.6% | 13.5% |
Health checks done
| Check | Here | England |
|---|---|---|
| Cervical screening, women 25-49 | 82% | 67% |
| Cervical screening, women 50-64 | 80% | 75% |
| Blood pressure controlled (hypertension, under 80) | 82% | 68% |
| Blood pressure checked in last 5 years (45+) | 92% | 87% |
| Diabetes: blood pressure on target | 90% | 75% |
| Diabetes: blood sugar (HbA1c) on target | 65% | 57% |
| Diabetes: annual foot check | 90% | 78% |
| Asthma: annual review | 67% | 66% |
Other surgeries nearby
| Surgery | Distance | Score | Easy by phone | Rated good | New patients |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Southdene Medical Centrethis surgery | – | 93 | 91% | 95% | Yes |
| Bevan Medical GroupDurham, DH6 2LQ | 0.2 miles | 91 | 90% | 83% | Yes |
| William Brown CentrePeterlee, SR8 5TW | 2.2 miles | 45 | 64% | 71% | Yes |
| East Durham Medical GroupWingate, TS28 5PZ | 2.6 miles | 84 | 68% | 83% | Yes |
| Wingate Medical Practice IntrahealthWingate, TS28 5PZ | 2.6 miles | 92 | 91% | 90% | Yes |
| Silverdale Family PracticeDurham, DH6 2TH | 2.7 miles | 100 | 97% | 96% | Yes |
| The Horden Group PracticePeterlee, SR8 4LD | 2.9 miles | 96 | 97% | 96% | Yes |
| Murton Medical CentreSeaham, SR7 9AB | 3.7 miles | 88 | 80% | 93% | Yes |
| Blackhall and Peterlee PracticeHartlepool, TS27 4LQ | 4.0 miles | 32 | 61% | 69% | Yes |
| Hetton Group PracticeHoughton Le Spring, DH5 9EZ | 5.0 miles | 65 | 66% | 85% | Yes |
Common questions
Is Southdene Medical Centre taking on new patients?
Yes. When we last checked its page on the NHS website (20 September 2026), Southdene Medical Centre was taking on new patients. You can register online through the NHS website or call the surgery on 0191 526 5818.
How do patients rate Southdene Medical Centre?
In the 2026 NHS GP Patient Survey, 95% of patients at Southdene Medical Centre said their overall experience was good. The England average is 77%. 91% found it easy to get through by phone (England 57%). Its GPScore is 93 out of 100, grade A, which puts it in the top 20% of GP surgeries in England.
What is the inspection rating for Southdene Medical Centre?
The Care Quality Commission, which inspects GP surgeries in England, rated Southdene Medical Centre as Requires improvement at its last published inspection (report published 30 August 2022).
What are the opening times of Southdene Medical Centre?
Reception is open Monday 8am to 6pm, Tuesday 8am to 6pm, Wednesday 8am to 6pm, Thursday 8am to 6pm, Friday 8am to 6pm, Saturday closed, Sunday closed. The surgery last confirmed these times on 18 June 2026. Bank holidays may differ.
How do I contact Southdene Medical Centre?
Call 0191 526 5818 or visit its website, www.southdenemedicalcentre.co.uk. You can also book and order repeat prescriptions in the NHS App. The address is Front Street, Shotton Colliery, Durham, DH6 2LT.
Does Southdene Medical Centre have a branch surgery?
Yes. Southdene Medical Centre also runs Haswell Branch Surgery (Front Street East, Haswell, Durham, DH6 2BL) and Peterlee Health Centre (Bede Way, Peterlee, SR8 1AD). Patients register with the practice and can usually be seen at either site.
How many patients are registered at Southdene Medical Centre?
Around 3,392 patients are registered (January 2025). The surgery is part of Durham Coast 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.