GP surgery in Bolton

St Helens Road Practice

Garnet Fold Practice, 374-376 St. Helens Road, Bolton, BL3 3RR

Taking on new patientsInspection: Good7,625 patients

Scores 86 out of 100, excellent for a GP surgery in England. 87% of patients say their experience is good and 85% 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.

Excellent Scores higher than 86% of GP surgeries in England. 5th of 32 in Bolton Based on 107 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 93

  • Easy to get through on the phone90
  • Easy to contact online47
  • Good experience of getting in touch91
  • Did not wait too long for the appointment96

Quality of care 71

  • Patients rate the surgery as good79
  • Patients got what they needed81
  • Doctors and nurses listen56
  • Patients trust the staff54
  • Inspection rating (Good)50
  • Health checks and screening done63
  • Meets NHS clinical targets14
  • Children vaccinated on time27

What patients say

107 patients answered the 2026 NHS survey about this surgery.

85%

find the phone easy

well above the England average (57%)

87%

say their experience is good

well above the England average (77%)

-4

change since last year

2025: 91% · 2026: 87%

Getting in touch

Contacted the surgery by phone78%
Had their call answered straight away17%
Gave up or got no answer1%
Knew what would happen next straight away62%

The appointment

Were seen the same day60%
Waited more than a week10%
Were seen face to face78%
Saw a GP (rather than a nurse or other staff)71%
All survey questions, compared with England
What patients saidThis surgeryEnglandLast year
Getting in touch
Easy to get through by phone 85% 57% 82%
Easy to contact via website 57% 58% 73%
Easy to contact via NHS App 81% 54% 69%
Reception staff helpful 95% 85% 94%
Seeing the same person
Has a preferred clinician 30% 31% 27%
Sees preferred clinician 27% 42% 56%
What happened when they got in touch
Knew what would happen next 95% 84% 93%
Next steps within 2 days 99% 93% 94%
Good experience of contacting 90% 73% 87%
The appointment
Offered a choice of time or day 74% 57% 63%
Waiting time was about right 92% 69% 91%
Remote appointment 22% 26% 23%
The doctor or nurse
Good at listening 89% 87% 95%
Treated with care and concern 88% 86% 98%
Considered mental wellbeing 87% 75% 88%
Had all the information needed 94% 92% 99%
Confidence and trust 94% 93% 100%
Involved in decisions 96% 92% 99%
Needs were met 95% 90% 99%
Overall
Overall experience good 87% 77% 91%
Living with a long-term condition
Confident managing conditions 84% 79% 63%
Supported by local services 81% 70% 71%
Discussed managing condition 48% 43% 46%
Agreed a care plan 69% 46% 60%

Green means at least 2 points better than England, red at least 2 points worse. With about 107 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 18 October 2018. Bank holidays may differ.

Address
Garnet Fold Practice, 374-376 St. Helens Road, Bolton, BL3 3RR
Phone
01204 665588
Email
[email protected]
Online
Book, order repeat prescriptions and see records in the NHS App
Works with
Rumworth PCN (a group of local surgeries that share services)
NHS code
P82009 · NHS profile

Branch surgery

Run by this practice from another building. Patients register with the practice, not the branch.

Jones in
Southbrook Surgery, Walker Avenue, Bolton, BL3 2DN · 01204 363600

Access and facilities

  • Disabled toilet
  • Step-free access
  • Wheelchair access
  • Baby changing facility
  • Baby changing facility

Pins show each surgery's score. Get directions

Inspection rating

By the Care Quality Commission, the NHS regulator

Good

overall, from the inspection published 31 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

7,625registered patients
Poorer than mosthow well off the local area is
80.9years life expectancy locally (England 83.0)

Common health conditions

ConditionHereEngland
Hypertension16.6%15.2%
Diabetes10.3%7.9%
Asthma7.2%6.6%
COPD2.1%1.9%
Coronary heart disease3.6%3.0%
Depression14.8%14.3%
Obesity19.5%13.9%
Smoking12.4%13.5%

Health checks done

CheckHereEngland
Cervical screening, women 25-4962%67%
Cervical screening, women 50-6472%75%
Blood pressure controlled (hypertension, under 80)70%68%
Blood pressure checked in last 5 years (45+)94%87%
Diabetes: blood pressure on target80%75%
Diabetes: blood sugar (HbA1c) on target55%57%
Diabetes: annual foot check82%78%
Asthma: annual review71%66%

Other surgeries nearby

All surgeries in Bolton →

SurgeryDistanceScoreEasy by phoneRated goodNew patients
St Helens Road Practicethis surgery8685%87%Yes
Shanti Medical CentreBolton, BL3 3PH0.4 miles2050%69%Yes
Deane Clinic 1Bolton, BL3 4LU0.6 miles1563%61%Yes
Orient House Medical CentreBolton, BL3 5QE0.7 miles6780%86%Yes
Swan Lane Medical CentreBolton, BL3 6TL0.8 miles5660%81%Yes
Pikes Lane 1Bolton, BL3 5HP1.0 miles6060%87%Yes
Al Fal Medical GroupBolton, BL3 5HP1.0 miles745%61%Yes
Olive Family PracticeBolton, BL3 5HP1.0 miles5375%76%Yes
Dr S NaseefBolton, BL3 5HP1.0 miles9688%93%Yes
3d Medical CentreBolton, BL3 5DP1.1 miles3682%66%Yes

Common questions

Is St Helens Road Practice taking on new patients?

Yes. When we last checked its page on the NHS website (20 September 2026), St Helens Road Practice was taking on new patients. You can register online through the NHS website or call the surgery on 01204 665588.

How do patients rate St Helens Road Practice?

In the 2026 NHS GP Patient Survey, 87% of patients at St Helens Road Practice said their overall experience was good. The England average is 77%. 85% found it easy to get through by phone (England 57%). Its GPScore is 86 out of 100, grade A, which puts it in the top 20% of GP surgeries in England.

What is the inspection rating for St Helens Road Practice?

The Care Quality Commission, which inspects GP surgeries in England, rated St Helens Road Practice as Good at its last published inspection (report published 31 December 2018).

What are the opening times of St Helens Road Practice?

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 18 October 2018. Bank holidays may differ.

How do I contact St Helens Road Practice?

Call 01204 665588. You can also book and order repeat prescriptions in the NHS App. The address is Garnet Fold Practice, 374-376 St. Helens Road, Bolton, BL3 3RR.

Does St Helens Road Practice have a branch surgery?

Yes. St Helens Road Practice also runs Jones in (Southbrook Surgery, Walker Avenue, Bolton, BL3 2DN). Patients register with the practice and can usually be seen at either site.

How many patients are registered at St Helens Road Practice?

Around 7,625 patients are registered (January 2025). The surgery is part of Rumworth PCN, a group of local surgeries that share staff and services, in the Greater Manchester 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.