GP surgery in Camden
The Bloomsbury Surgery
1 Handel Street, London, WC1N 1PD
Scores 38 out of 100, below average for a GP surgery in England. 67% of patients say their experience is good and 66% 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 50
- Easy to get through on the phone58
- Easy to contact online77
- Good experience of getting in touch35
- Did not wait too long for the appointment48
Quality of care 25
- Patients rate the surgery as good15
- Patients got what they needed19
- Doctors and nurses listen59
- Patients trust the staff45
- Inspection rating (Good)50
- Health checks and screening done43
- Meets NHS clinical targets67
- Children vaccinated on time42
What patients say
91 patients answered the 2026 NHS survey about this surgery.
66%
find the phone easy
well above the England average (57%)
67%
say their experience is good
well below the England average (77%)
+2
change since last year
2025: 65% · 2026: 67%
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 | 66% | 57% | 56% |
| Easy to contact via website | 70% | 58% | 80% |
| Easy to contact via NHS App | 44% | 54% | 70% |
| Reception staff helpful | 68% | 85% | 78% |
| Seeing the same person | |||
| Has a preferred clinician | 19% | 31% | 24% |
| Sees preferred clinician | 40% | 42% | 53% |
| What happened when they got in touch | |||
| Knew what would happen next | 72% | 84% | 78% |
| Next steps within 2 days | 91% | 93% | 95% |
| Good experience of contacting | 70% | 73% | 72% |
| The appointment | |||
| Offered a choice of time or day | 52% | 57% | 45% |
| Waiting time was about right | 71% | 69% | 77% |
| Remote appointment | 32% | 26% | 40% |
| The doctor or nurse | |||
| Good at listening | 90% | 87% | 87% |
| Treated with care and concern | 82% | 86% | 85% |
| Considered mental wellbeing | 75% | 75% | 67% |
| Had all the information needed | 86% | 92% | 90% |
| Confidence and trust | 93% | 93% | 88% |
| Involved in decisions | 89% | 92% | 86% |
| Needs were met | 86% | 90% | 87% |
| Overall | |||
| Overall experience good | 67% | 77% | 65% |
| Living with a long-term condition | |||
| Confident managing conditions | 78% | 79% | 71% |
| Supported by local services | 71% | 70% | 76% |
| Discussed managing condition | 48% | 43% | 33% |
| Agreed a care plan | 59% | 46% | 44% |
Green means at least 2 points better than England, red at least 2 points worse. With about 91 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 | 8:30am to 6:30pm |
| Tuesday | 8:30am 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 18 January 2019. Bank holidays may differ.
- Address
- 1 Handel Street, London, WC1N 1PD
- Phone
- 020 7837 8559
- [email protected]
- Online
- Book, order repeat prescriptions and see records in the NHS App
- Works with
- Central Camden PCN (a group of local surgeries that share services)
- NHS code
- F83044 · NHS profile
Access and facilities
- Disabled toilet
- Induction loop
- Step-free access
- Wheelchair access
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 August 2016
This rating is 10 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 | 6.1% | 15.2% |
| Diabetes | 3.0% | 7.9% |
| Asthma | 3.3% | 6.6% |
| COPD | 0.6% | 1.9% |
| Coronary heart disease | 0.9% | 3.0% |
| Depression | 10.4% | 14.3% |
| Obesity | 5.8% | 13.9% |
| Smoking | 12.3% | 13.5% |
Health checks done
| Check | Here | England |
|---|---|---|
| Cervical screening, women 25-49 | 35% | 67% |
| Cervical screening, women 50-64 | 65% | 75% |
| Blood pressure controlled (hypertension, under 80) | 79% | 68% |
| Blood pressure checked in last 5 years (45+) | 77% | 87% |
| Diabetes: blood pressure on target | 86% | 75% |
| Diabetes: blood sugar (HbA1c) on target | 64% | 57% |
| Diabetes: annual foot check | 90% | 78% |
| Asthma: annual review | 73% | 66% |
Other surgeries nearby
| Surgery | Distance | Score | Easy by phone | Rated good | New patients |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Bloomsbury Surgerythis surgery | – | 38 | 66% | 67% | Yes |
| Brunswick Medical Centre UhpcLondon, WC1N 1AF | 0.1 mile | 19 | 41% | 73% | Yes |
| Holborn Medical CentreLondon, WC1N 3NA | 0.3 miles | 82 | 79% | 88% | Yes |
| Gray's Inn Medical Group Chancery LaneLondon, WC1X 8TS | 0.4 miles | 60 | 80% | 80% | Yes |
| Kings Cross SurgeryLondon, NW1 1HY | 0.4 miles | 2 | 30% | 36% | Yes |
| Somers Town Medical CentreLondon, NW1 1HY | 0.4 miles | 3 | 41% | 53% | Yes |
| Gower Street PracticeLondon, WC1E 6DP | 0.5 miles | 40 | 55% | 76% | Yes |
| Ridgmount PracticeLondon, WC1E 7AA | 0.5 miles | 67 | 82% | 65% | Yes |
| Museum PracticeLondon, WC1B 3BA | 0.5 miles | 89 | 96% | 89% | Yes |
| Amwell Group PracticeLondon, WC1X 0GB | 0.5 miles | 73 | 75% | 83% | Yes |
Holborn Medical Centre is 0.3 miles away, scores 82 and is taking on new patients. You can usually join any surgery that covers your address.
Common questions
Is The Bloomsbury Surgery taking on new patients?
Yes. When we last checked its page on the NHS website (20 September 2026), The Bloomsbury Surgery was taking on new patients. You can register online through the NHS website or call the surgery on 020 7837 8559.
How do patients rate The Bloomsbury Surgery?
In the 2026 NHS GP Patient Survey, 67% of patients at The Bloomsbury Surgery said their overall experience was good. The England average is 77%. 66% found it easy to get through by phone (England 57%). Its GPScore is 38 out of 100, grade D, which puts it in the second-worst 20% of GP surgeries in England.
What is the inspection rating for The Bloomsbury Surgery?
The Care Quality Commission, which inspects GP surgeries in England, rated The Bloomsbury Surgery as Good at its last published inspection (report published 31 August 2016).
What are the opening times of The Bloomsbury Surgery?
Reception is open Monday 8:30am to 6:30pm, Tuesday 8:30am 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 18 January 2019. Bank holidays may differ.
How do I contact The Bloomsbury Surgery?
Call 020 7837 8559. You can also book and order repeat prescriptions in the NHS App. The address is 1 Handel Street, London, WC1N 1PD.
How many patients are registered at The Bloomsbury Surgery?
Around 8,821 patients are registered (January 2025). The surgery is part of Central Camden PCN, a group of local surgeries that share staff and services, in the West and North London 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.