GP surgery in Somerset
St James Medical Centre
Coal Orchard, Taunton, TA1 1JP
Scores 53 out of 100, average for a GP surgery in England. 84% 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 2019. 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 49
- Easy to get through on the phone27
- Easy to contact online78
- Good experience of getting in touch65
- Did not wait too long for the appointment44
Quality of care 58
- Patients rate the surgery as good67
- Patients got what they needed35
- Doctors and nurses listen81
- Patients trust the staff48
- Inspection rating (Good)50
- Health checks and screening done16
- Meets NHS clinical targets82
- Children vaccinated on time73
What patients say
128 patients answered the 2026 NHS survey about this surgery.
49%
find the phone easy
below the England average (57%)
84%
say their experience is good
above the England average (77%)
+1
change since last year
2025: 83% · 2026: 84%
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% | 44% |
| Easy to contact via website | 70% | 58% | 66% |
| Easy to contact via NHS App | 64% | 54% | 58% |
| Reception staff helpful | 89% | 85% | 91% |
| Seeing the same person | |||
| Has a preferred clinician | 36% | 31% | 18% |
| Sees preferred clinician | 48% | 42% | 22% |
| What happened when they got in touch | |||
| Knew what would happen next | 87% | 84% | 87% |
| Next steps within 2 days | 93% | 93% | 95% |
| Good experience of contacting | 80% | 73% | 83% |
| The appointment | |||
| Offered a choice of time or day | 54% | 57% | 50% |
| Waiting time was about right | 70% | 69% | 66% |
| Remote appointment | 15% | 26% | 35% |
| The doctor or nurse | |||
| Good at listening | 93% | 87% | 93% |
| Treated with care and concern | 90% | 86% | 92% |
| Considered mental wellbeing | 75% | 75% | 83% |
| Had all the information needed | 93% | 92% | 94% |
| Confidence and trust | 93% | 93% | 93% |
| Involved in decisions | 97% | 92% | 93% |
| Needs were met | 89% | 90% | 95% |
| Overall | |||
| Overall experience good | 84% | 77% | 83% |
| Living with a long-term condition | |||
| Confident managing conditions | 91% | 79% | 86% |
| Supported by local services | 67% | 70% | 73% |
| Discussed managing condition | 40% | 43% | 44% |
| Agreed a care plan | 38% | 46% | 51% |
Green means at least 2 points better than England, red at least 2 points worse. With about 128 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
No reviews yet. If you use this surgery, say what it is like.
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 22 October 2025. Bank holidays may differ.
- Address
- Coal Orchard, Taunton, TA1 1JP
- Phone
- 01823 285400
- [email protected]
- Website
- www.stjamesmedicalcentre.co.uk
- Online
- Book, order repeat prescriptions and see records in the NHS App
- Works with
- Taunton Central PCN (a group of local surgeries that share services)
- NHS code
- L85023 · NHS profile
Branch surgeries
Run by this practice from another building. Patients register with the practice, not the branch.
- Kings College Sanatorium
- South Road, Taunton, TA1 3LA
- Orchard Medical Centre
- Norton Mills, Morse Road, Norton Fitzwarren, Taunton, TA2 6DG · 01823 351301
Access and facilities
- Disabled parking
- Disabled toilet
- Induction loop
- Step-free access
- Wheelchair access
- Baby changing facility
- Baby changing facility
- Car parking
- Cycle parking
- Disabled parking
Pins show each surgery's score. Get directions
Inspection rating
By the Care Quality Commission, the NHS regulator
Good
overall, from the inspection published 2 July 2019
This rating is 7 years old. The CQC has not published a newer inspection.
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
Common health conditions
| Condition | Here | England |
|---|---|---|
| Hypertension | 12.8% | 15.2% |
| Diabetes | 6.4% | 7.9% |
| Asthma | 6.1% | 6.6% |
| COPD | 1.7% | 1.9% |
| Coronary heart disease | 2.8% | 3.0% |
| Depression | 18.7% | 14.3% |
| Obesity | 13.3% | 13.9% |
| Smoking | 16.1% | 13.5% |
Health checks done
| Check | Here | England |
|---|---|---|
| Cervical screening, women 25-49 | 64% | 67% |
| Cervical screening, women 50-64 | 70% | 75% |
| Blood pressure controlled (hypertension, under 80) | 62% | 68% |
| Blood pressure checked in last 5 years (45+) | 84% | 87% |
| Diabetes: blood pressure on target | 75% | 75% |
| Diabetes: blood sugar (HbA1c) on target | 54% | 57% |
| Diabetes: annual foot check | 77% | 78% |
| Asthma: annual review | 58% | 66% |
Other surgeries nearby
| Surgery | Distance | Score | Easy by phone | Rated good | New patients |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| St James Medical Centrethis surgery | – | 53 | 49% | 84% | Yes |
| French Weir Health CentreTaunton, TA1 1NW | 0.5 miles | 66 | 64% | 79% | Yes |
| Taunton Vale HealthcareTaunton, TA1 2LB | 0.9 miles | 63 | 66% | 85% | Yes |
| Crown Medical CentreTaunton, TA2 8QY | 1.2 miles | 49 | 66% | 84% | Yes |
| College Way SurgeryTaunton, TA1 4TY | 1.2 miles | 97 | 91% | 94% | Yes |
| Warwick House Medical PracticeTaunton, TA1 2QA | 1.3 miles | 91 | 79% | 92% | Yes |
| Lyngford ParkTaunton, TA2 8SQ | 1.4 miles | 81 | 77% | 92% | Yes |
| CreechTaunton, TA3 5FA | 2.5 miles | 88 | 80% | 89% | Yes |
| Quantock Vale SurgeryTaunton, TA4 3LH | 4.6 miles | 78 | 76% | 88% | Yes |
| North CurryTaunton, TA3 6NQ | 5.6 miles | 98 | 93% | 93% | Yes |
French Weir Health Centre is 0.5 miles away, scores 66 and is taking on new patients. You can usually join any surgery that covers your address.
Common questions
Is St James Medical Centre taking on new patients?
Yes. When we last checked its page on the NHS website (20 September 2026), St James Medical Centre was taking on new patients. You can register online through the NHS website or call the surgery on 01823 285400.
How do patients rate St James Medical Centre?
In the 2026 NHS GP Patient Survey, 84% of patients at St James Medical 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 53 out of 100, grade C, which puts it in the middle 20% of GP surgeries in England.
What is the inspection rating for St James Medical Centre?
The Care Quality Commission, which inspects GP surgeries in England, rated St James Medical Centre as Good at its last published inspection (report published 2 July 2019).
What are the opening times of St James 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 22 October 2025. Bank holidays may differ.
How do I contact St James Medical Centre?
Call 01823 285400 or visit its website, www.stjamesmedicalcentre.co.uk. You can also book and order repeat prescriptions in the NHS App. The address is Coal Orchard, Taunton, TA1 1JP.
Does St James Medical Centre have a branch surgery?
Yes. St James Medical Centre also runs Kings College Sanatorium (South Road, Taunton, TA1 3LA) and Orchard Medical Centre (Norton Mills, Morse Road, Norton Fitzwarren, Taunton, TA2 6DG). Patients register with the practice and can usually be seen at either site.
How many patients are registered at St James Medical Centre?
Around 17,818 patients are registered (January 2025). The surgery is part of Taunton Central PCN, a group of local surgeries that share staff and services, in the Somerset 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.