GP surgery in Blackburn
Stepping Stone Practice
Longton Close, Blackburn, BB1 1XA
Scores 13 out of 100, poor for a GP surgery in England. 65% of patients say their experience is good and 59% find it easy to get through on the phone (England: 77% and 57%). Inspectors rated it Good in 2016. 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 17
- Easy to get through on the phone44
- Easy to contact online4
- Good experience of getting in touch14
- Did not wait too long for the appointment16
Quality of care 12
- Patients rate the surgery as good12
- Patients got what they needed18
- Doctors and nurses listen6
- Patients trust the staff3
- Inspection rating (Good)50
- Health checks and screening done27
- Meets NHS clinical targets82
- Children vaccinated on time70
What patients say
93 patients answered the 2026 NHS survey about this surgery.
59%
find the phone easy
about the England average (57%)
65%
say their experience is good
well below the England average (77%)
+5
change since last year
2025: 60% · 2026: 65%
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 | 59% | 57% | 40% |
| Easy to contact via website | 29% | 58% | 48% |
| Easy to contact via NHS App | 31% | 54% | 46% |
| Reception staff helpful | 77% | 85% | 71% |
| Seeing the same person | |||
| Has a preferred clinician | 66% | 31% | 65% |
| Sees preferred clinician | 29% | 42% | 31% |
| What happened when they got in touch | |||
| Knew what would happen next | 77% | 84% | 70% |
| Next steps within 2 days | 87% | 93% | 81% |
| Good experience of contacting | 61% | 73% | 52% |
| The appointment | |||
| Offered a choice of time or day | 59% | 57% | 50% |
| Waiting time was about right | 58% | 69% | 53% |
| Remote appointment | 23% | 26% | 33% |
| The doctor or nurse | |||
| Good at listening | 76% | 87% | 74% |
| Treated with care and concern | 74% | 86% | 73% |
| Considered mental wellbeing | 73% | 75% | 61% |
| Had all the information needed | 91% | 92% | 91% |
| Confidence and trust | 82% | 93% | 89% |
| Involved in decisions | 85% | 92% | 85% |
| Needs were met | 86% | 90% | 93% |
| Overall | |||
| Overall experience good | 65% | 77% | 60% |
| Living with a long-term condition | |||
| Confident managing conditions | 66% | 79% | 54% |
| Supported by local services | 67% | 70% | 78% |
| Discussed managing condition | 50% | 43% | 55% |
| Agreed a care plan | 36% | 46% | 56% |
Green means at least 2 points better than England, red at least 2 points worse. With about 93 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 | 8:30am to 6:30pm |
| Thursday | 8:30am to 6:30pm |
| Friday | 8:30am to 6:30pm |
| Saturday | Closed |
| Sunday | Closed |
Confirmed by the surgery on 17 October 2024. Bank holidays may differ.
- Address
- Longton Close, Blackburn, BB1 1XA
- Phone
- 01254 961562
- [email protected]
- Online
- Book, order repeat prescriptions and see records in the NHS App
- Works with
- Blackburn East PCN (a group of local surgeries that share services)
- NHS code
- P81167 · NHS profile
Access and facilities
- Disabled parking
- Disabled toilet
- Induction loop
- Signing service
- Step-free access
- Text relay
- Wheelchair access
- Baby changing facility
- Parent and baby room
- Pram park
- 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 22 December 2016
This rating is 9 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 | 14.7% | 15.2% |
| Diabetes | 11.9% | 7.9% |
| Asthma | 9.7% | 6.6% |
| COPD | 2.7% | 1.9% |
| Coronary heart disease | 3.3% | 3.0% |
| Depression | 16.5% | 14.3% |
| Obesity | 19.8% | 13.9% |
| Smoking | 16.2% | 13.5% |
Health checks done
| Check | Here | England |
|---|---|---|
| Cervical screening, women 25-49 | 54% | 67% |
| Cervical screening, women 50-64 | 69% | 75% |
| Blood pressure controlled (hypertension, under 80) | 73% | 68% |
| Blood pressure checked in last 5 years (45+) | 90% | 87% |
| Diabetes: blood pressure on target | 80% | 75% |
| Diabetes: blood sugar (HbA1c) on target | 55% | 57% |
| Diabetes: annual foot check | 85% | 78% |
| Asthma: annual review | 55% | 66% |
Other surgeries nearby
| Surgery | Distance | Score | Easy by phone | Rated good | New patients |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stepping Stone Practicethis surgery | – | 13 | 59% | 65% | Yes |
| William Hopwood Street SurgeryBlackburn, BB1 1LX | 0.3 miles | 31 | 56% | 73% | Yes |
| The Cornerstone PracticeBlackburn, BB1 2HR | 0.6 miles | 17 | 42% | 78% | Yes |
| Pringle Street SurgeryBlackburn, BB1 1SB | 0.6 miles | 40 | 68% | 76% | Yes |
| Primrose Bank Medical CentreBlackburn, BB1 5ER | 0.8 miles | 0 | 39% | 54% | Yes |
| Little Harwood Health CentreBlackburn, BB1 6PH | 0.9 miles | 19 | 40% | 72% | Yes |
| St Georges SurgeryBlackburn, BB2 3HS | 1.0 miles | 39 | 66% | 75% | Yes |
| Shifa SurgeryBlackburn, BB1 6DY | 1.0 miles | 10 | 50% | 65% | Yes |
| Olive Medical CentreBlackburn, BB1 7EP | 1.2 miles | 3 | 28% | 63% | Yes |
| Family PracticeBlackburn, BB2 1AX | 1.3 miles | 8 | 40% | 58% | Yes |
William Hopwood Street Surgery is 0.3 miles away, scores 31 and is taking on new patients. You can usually join any surgery that covers your address.
Common questions
Is Stepping Stone Practice taking on new patients?
Yes. When we last checked its page on the NHS website (20 September 2026), Stepping Stone Practice was taking on new patients. You can register online through the NHS website or call the surgery on 01254 961562.
How do patients rate Stepping Stone Practice?
In the 2026 NHS GP Patient Survey, 65% of patients at Stepping Stone Practice said their overall experience was good. The England average is 77%. 59% found it easy to get through by phone (England 57%). Its GPScore is 13 out of 100, grade E, which puts it in the bottom 20% of GP surgeries in England.
What is the inspection rating for Stepping Stone Practice?
The Care Quality Commission, which inspects GP surgeries in England, rated Stepping Stone Practice as Good at its last published inspection (report published 22 December 2016).
What are the opening times of Stepping Stone Practice?
Reception is open Monday 8am to 6:30pm, Tuesday 8am 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 October 2024. Bank holidays may differ.
How do I contact Stepping Stone Practice?
Call 01254 961562. You can also book and order repeat prescriptions in the NHS App. The address is Longton Close, Blackburn, BB1 1XA.
How many patients are registered at Stepping Stone Practice?
Around 5,918 patients are registered (January 2025). The surgery is part of Blackburn East PCN, a group of local surgeries that share staff and services, in the Lancashire and South 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.