GP surgery in St. Helens
The Bowery Medical Centre
Elephant Lane, St. Helens, WA9 5PR
Scores 14 out of 100, poor for a GP surgery in England. 67% of patients say their experience is good and 58% 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 18
- Easy to get through on the phone42
- Easy to contact online48
- Good experience of getting in touch9
- Did not wait too long for the appointment11
Quality of care 14
- Patients rate the surgery as good15
- Patients got what they needed31
- Doctors and nurses listen4
- Patients trust the staff63
- Inspection rating (Good)50
- Health checks and screening done2
- Meets NHS clinical targets45
- Children vaccinated on time28
What patients say
84 patients answered the 2026 NHS survey about this surgery.
57%
find the phone easy
about the England average (57%)
67%
say their experience is good
well below the England average (77%)
-9
change since last year
2025: 76% · 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 | 57% | 57% | 65% |
| Easy to contact via website | 57% | 58% | 55% |
| Easy to contact via NHS App | 67% | 54% | 55% |
| Reception staff helpful | 83% | 85% | 84% |
| Seeing the same person | |||
| Has a preferred clinician | 32% | 31% | 33% |
| Sees preferred clinician | 41% | 42% | 41% |
| What happened when they got in touch | |||
| Knew what would happen next | 76% | 84% | 75% |
| Next steps within 2 days | 98% | 93% | 95% |
| Good experience of contacting | 56% | 73% | 65% |
| The appointment | |||
| Offered a choice of time or day | 45% | 57% | 51% |
| Waiting time was about right | 54% | 69% | 68% |
| Remote appointment | 20% | 26% | 28% |
| The doctor or nurse | |||
| Good at listening | 73% | 87% | 84% |
| Treated with care and concern | 71% | 86% | 81% |
| Considered mental wellbeing | 62% | 75% | 72% |
| Had all the information needed | 99% | 92% | 86% |
| Confidence and trust | 95% | 93% | 91% |
| Involved in decisions | 94% | 92% | 91% |
| Needs were met | 88% | 90% | 92% |
| Overall | |||
| Overall experience good | 67% | 77% | 76% |
| Living with a long-term condition | |||
| Confident managing conditions | 75% | 79% | 80% |
| Supported by local services | 63% | 70% | 78% |
| Discussed managing condition | 56% | 43% | 37% |
| Agreed a care plan | 27% | 46% | 37% |
Green means at least 2 points better than England, red at least 2 points worse. With about 84 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 20 May 2026. Bank holidays may differ.
- Address
- Elephant Lane, St. Helens, WA9 5PR
- Phone
- 01744 816837
- [email protected]
- Website
- www.ssphealth.com/our-practices/bowery-medical-centre
- Online
- Book, order repeat prescriptions and see records in the NHS App
- Works with
- St Helens South PCN (a group of local surgeries that share services)
- NHS code
- N83050 · NHS profile
Access and facilities
- Accessible toilets
- Baby-changing facilities
- Bus stop nearby
- Disability awareness and equality training for staff
- Disabled car parking
- Documents available in large print
- Free NHS WiFi
- Free on-site car parking
- High-back waiting room chairs
- Off-site car parking nearby
- Sign language interpreter available online
- Step-free access at entrances and exits
- Toilets
- Train station nearby
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 November 2018
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 | 13.1% | 15.2% |
| Diabetes | 9.0% | 7.9% |
| Asthma | 6.2% | 6.6% |
| COPD | 2.6% | 1.9% |
| Coronary heart disease | 3.2% | 3.0% |
| Depression | 19.9% | 14.3% |
| Obesity | 13.1% | 13.9% |
| Smoking | 14.4% | 13.5% |
Health checks done
| Check | Here | England |
|---|---|---|
| Cervical screening, women 25-49 | 63% | 67% |
| Cervical screening, women 50-64 | 64% | 75% |
| Blood pressure controlled (hypertension, under 80) | 56% | 68% |
| Blood pressure checked in last 5 years (45+) | 87% | 87% |
| Diabetes: blood pressure on target | 56% | 75% |
| Diabetes: blood sugar (HbA1c) on target | 48% | 57% |
| Diabetes: annual foot check | 48% | 78% |
| Asthma: annual review | 44% | 66% |
Other surgeries nearby
| Surgery | Distance | Score | Easy by phone | Rated good | New patients |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Bowery Medical Centrethis surgery | – | 14 | 58% | 67% | Yes |
| The Spinney Medical CentreSt. Helens, WA10 3EB | 0.4 miles | 40 | 53% | 80% | Yes |
| Bethany Medical CentreSt. Helens, WA10 4GW | 1.2 miles | 83 | 85% | 87% | Yes |
| Eccleston Medical CentreSt. Helens, WA10 5RG | 1.2 miles | 72 | 74% | 88% | Yes |
| Longton Medical CentrePrescot, L35 4LL | 1.4 miles | 75 | 65% | 82% | Yes |
| Rainhill Village SurgeryPrescot, L35 4LP | 1.4 miles | 87 | 78% | 90% | Yes |
| Hall Street Medical CentreSt Helens, WA10 1DW | 1.5 miles | 93 | 88% | 95% | Yes |
| Newholme SurgerySt Helens, WA10 2DJ | 1.6 miles | 84 | 87% | 85% | Yes |
| Ormskirk House SurgerySt Helens, WA10 2DJ | 1.6 miles | 85 | 79% | 88% | Yes |
| Parkfield SurgerySt Helens, WA10 2DJ | 1.6 miles | 94 | 84% | 93% | Yes |
The Spinney Medical Centre is 0.4 miles away, scores 40 and is taking on new patients. You can usually join any surgery that covers your address.
Common questions
Is The Bowery Medical Centre taking on new patients?
Yes. When we last checked its page on the NHS website (20 September 2026), The Bowery Medical Centre was taking on new patients. You can register online through the NHS website or call the surgery on 01744 816837.
How do patients rate The Bowery Medical Centre?
In the 2026 NHS GP Patient Survey, 67% of patients at The Bowery Medical Centre said their overall experience was good. The England average is 77%. 58% found it easy to get through by phone (England 57%). Its GPScore is 14 out of 100, grade E, which puts it in the bottom 20% of GP surgeries in England.
What is the inspection rating for The Bowery Medical Centre?
The Care Quality Commission, which inspects GP surgeries in England, rated The Bowery Medical Centre as Good at its last published inspection (report published 2 November 2018).
What are the opening times of The Bowery 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 20 May 2026. Bank holidays may differ.
How do I contact The Bowery Medical Centre?
Call 01744 816837 or visit its website, www.ssphealth.com/our-practices/bowery-medical-centre. You can also book and order repeat prescriptions in the NHS App. The address is Elephant Lane, St. Helens, WA9 5PR.
How many patients are registered at The Bowery Medical Centre?
Around 4,925 patients are registered (January 2025). The surgery is part of St Helens South PCN, a group of local surgeries that share staff and services, in the Cheshire and Merseyside 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.