GP surgery in Prestwich
The Birches Medical Centre
42 Polefield Road, Prestwich, Manchester, M25 2GN
Scores 83 out of 100, excellent for a GP surgery in England. 90% of patients say their experience is good and 79% 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.
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 79
- Easy to get through on the phone81
- Easy to contact online19
- Good experience of getting in touch81
- Did not wait too long for the appointment77
Quality of care 82
- Patients rate the surgery as good86
- Patients got what they needed81
- Doctors and nurses listen58
- Patients trust the staff68
- Inspection rating (Good)50
- Health checks and screening done75
- Meets NHS clinical targets46
- Children vaccinated on time49
What patients say
133 patients answered the 2026 NHS survey about this surgery.
79%
find the phone easy
well above the England average (57%)
90%
say their experience is good
well above the England average (77%)
+2
change since last year
2025: 88% · 2026: 90%
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 | 79% | 57% | 71% |
| Easy to contact via website | 43% | 58% | 48% |
| Easy to contact via NHS App | 47% | 54% | 49% |
| Reception staff helpful | 93% | 85% | 84% |
| Seeing the same person | |||
| Has a preferred clinician | 41% | 31% | 37% |
| Sees preferred clinician | 40% | 42% | 53% |
| What happened when they got in touch | |||
| Knew what would happen next | 84% | 84% | 86% |
| Next steps within 2 days | 95% | 93% | 99% |
| Good experience of contacting | 86% | 73% | 80% |
| The appointment | |||
| Offered a choice of time or day | 60% | 57% | 58% |
| Waiting time was about right | 81% | 69% | 80% |
| Remote appointment | 26% | 26% | 27% |
| The doctor or nurse | |||
| Good at listening | 89% | 87% | 91% |
| Treated with care and concern | 88% | 86% | 91% |
| Considered mental wellbeing | 80% | 75% | 74% |
| Had all the information needed | 100% | 92% | 93% |
| Confidence and trust | 96% | 93% | 95% |
| Involved in decisions | 100% | 92% | 92% |
| Needs were met | 95% | 90% | 98% |
| Overall | |||
| Overall experience good | 90% | 77% | 88% |
| Living with a long-term condition | |||
| Confident managing conditions | 82% | 79% | 91% |
| Supported by local services | 75% | 70% | 75% |
| Discussed managing condition | 48% | 43% | 50% |
| Agreed a care plan | 52% | 46% | 39% |
Green means at least 2 points better than England, red at least 2 points worse. With about 133 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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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 2 February 2023. Bank holidays may differ.
- Address
- 42 Polefield Road, Prestwich, Manchester, M25 2GN
- Phone
- 0161 773 3037
- [email protected]
- Website
- www.thebirchesmedicalcentre.co.uk
- Online
- Book, order repeat prescriptions and see records in the NHS App
- Works with
- Prestwich PCN (a group of local surgeries that share services)
- NHS code
- P83609 · NHS profile
Access and facilities
- Disabled parking
- Disabled toilet
- Induction loop
- Step-free access
- Text relay
- 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 22 May 2018
This rating is 8 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 | 15.1% | 15.2% |
| Diabetes | 6.7% | 7.9% |
| Asthma | 6.9% | 6.6% |
| COPD | 1.4% | 1.9% |
| Coronary heart disease | 2.4% | 3.0% |
| Depression | 16.7% | 14.3% |
| Obesity | 14.6% | 13.9% |
| Smoking | 12.4% | 13.5% |
Health checks done
| Check | Here | England |
|---|---|---|
| Cervical screening, women 25-49 | 71% | 67% |
| Cervical screening, women 50-64 | 81% | 75% |
| Blood pressure controlled (hypertension, under 80) | 71% | 68% |
| Blood pressure checked in last 5 years (45+) | 88% | 87% |
| Diabetes: blood pressure on target | 81% | 75% |
| Diabetes: blood sugar (HbA1c) on target | 64% | 57% |
| Diabetes: annual foot check | 89% | 78% |
| Asthma: annual review | 63% | 66% |
Other surgeries nearby
| Surgery | Distance | Score | Easy by phone | Rated good | New patients |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Birches Medical Centrethis surgery | – | 83 | 79% | 90% | Yes |
| Greyland Medical CentreManchester, M25 1NL | 0.2 miles | 52 | 90% | 77% | Yes |
| Fairfax Group PracticeManchester, M25 1BT | 0.6 miles | 40 | 52% | 73% | Yes |
| Longfield Medical PracticeManchester, M25 1BT | 0.6 miles | 33 | 36% | 67% | Yes |
| Whittaker Lane Medical CentreManchester, M25 1EX | 0.7 miles | 9 | 28% | 59% | Yes |
| St Gabriel's Medical CentreManchester, M25 0HT | 1.2 miles | 42 | 60% | 68% | Yes |
| The Uplands Medical PracticeManchester, M45 8GH | 1.2 miles | 13 | 53% | 72% | Yes |
| The Elms Medical CentreManchester, M45 7FD | 1.4 miles | 27 | 50% | 71% | Yes |
| Unsworth Medical CentreBury, BL9 8JR | 1.5 miles | 70 | 82% | 84% | Yes |
| Park View Medical CentreManchester, M8 4RF | 2.1 miles | 21 | 49% | 75% | Yes |
Common questions
Is The Birches Medical Centre taking on new patients?
Yes. When we last checked its page on the NHS website (20 September 2026), The Birches Medical Centre was taking on new patients. You can register online through the NHS website or call the surgery on 0161 773 3037.
How do patients rate The Birches Medical Centre?
In the 2026 NHS GP Patient Survey, 90% of patients at The Birches Medical Centre said their overall experience was good. The England average is 77%. 79% found it easy to get through by phone (England 57%). Its GPScore is 83 out of 100, grade A, which puts it in the top 20% of GP surgeries in England.
What is the inspection rating for The Birches Medical Centre?
The Care Quality Commission, which inspects GP surgeries in England, rated The Birches Medical Centre as Good at its last published inspection (report published 22 May 2018).
What are the opening times of The Birches 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 2 February 2023. Bank holidays may differ.
How do I contact The Birches Medical Centre?
Call 0161 773 3037 or visit its website, www.thebirchesmedicalcentre.co.uk. You can also book and order repeat prescriptions in the NHS App. The address is 42 Polefield Road, Prestwich, Manchester, M25 2GN.
How many patients are registered at The Birches Medical Centre?
Around 3,896 patients are registered (January 2025). The surgery is part of Prestwich 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.