GP surgery in West Berkshire
The Downland Practice
East Lane, Chieveley, Newbury, RG20 8UY
Scores 78 out of 100, good for a GP surgery in England. 87% of patients say their experience is good and 77% 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 65
- Easy to get through on the phone77
- Easy to contact online52
- Good experience of getting in touch75
- Did not wait too long for the appointment39
Quality of care 89
- Patients rate the surgery as good77
- Patients got what they needed75
- Doctors and nurses listen70
- Patients trust the staff85
- Inspection rating (Good)50
- Health checks and screening done90
- Meets NHS clinical targets94
- Children vaccinated on time86
What patients say
120 patients answered the 2026 NHS survey about this surgery.
76%
find the phone easy
well above the England average (57%)
87%
say their experience is good
well above the England average (77%)
+8
change since last year
2025: 79% · 2026: 87%
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 | 76% | 57% | 66% |
| Easy to contact via website | 59% | 58% | 67% |
| Easy to contact via NHS App | 50% | 54% | 50% |
| Reception staff helpful | 84% | 85% | 88% |
| Seeing the same person | |||
| Has a preferred clinician | 43% | 31% | 42% |
| Sees preferred clinician | 70% | 42% | 57% |
| What happened when they got in touch | |||
| Knew what would happen next | 88% | 84% | 84% |
| Next steps within 2 days | 94% | 93% | 100% |
| Good experience of contacting | 84% | 73% | 73% |
| The appointment | |||
| Offered a choice of time or day | 68% | 57% | 50% |
| Waiting time was about right | 68% | 69% | 64% |
| Remote appointment | 16% | 26% | 15% |
| The doctor or nurse | |||
| Good at listening | 91% | 87% | 91% |
| Treated with care and concern | 94% | 86% | 91% |
| Considered mental wellbeing | 85% | 75% | 74% |
| Had all the information needed | 97% | 92% | 96% |
| Confidence and trust | 98% | 93% | 98% |
| Involved in decisions | 99% | 92% | 98% |
| Needs were met | 94% | 90% | 89% |
| Overall | |||
| Overall experience good | 87% | 77% | 79% |
| Living with a long-term condition | |||
| Confident managing conditions | 93% | 79% | 91% |
| Supported by local services | 72% | 70% | 84% |
| Discussed managing condition | 57% | 43% | 33% |
| Agreed a care plan | 38% | 46% | 61% |
Green means at least 2 points better than England, red at least 2 points worse. With about 120 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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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 1 July 2026. Bank holidays may differ.
- Address
- East Lane, Chieveley, Newbury, RG20 8UY
- Phone
- 01635 248251
- [email protected]
- Online
- Book, order repeat prescriptions and see records in the NHS App
- Works with
- A34 West Berkshire PCN (a group of local surgeries that share services)
- NHS code
- K81050 · NHS profile
Branch surgery
Run by this practice from another building. Patients register with the practice, not the branch.
- Dr. Lowenthal
- The Downland Practice, High Street, Compton, Newbury, RG20 6NJ · 01635 578813
Access and facilities
- Accessible toilets
- Baby-changing facilities
- Bus stop nearby
- Disabled car parking
- Free on-site car parking
- Hearing loop or induction loop: helps to improve sound for hearing aid users
- High-back waiting room chairs
- Pharmacy
- Step-free access at entrances and exits
- Step-free access throughout
- Toilets
- Translation services
Pins show each surgery's score. Get directions
Inspection rating
By the Care Quality Commission, the NHS regulator
Good
overall, from the inspection published 11 February 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? | Outstanding |
| Is it well-led? | Good |
About the patients
NHS records for the people registered here
Common health conditions
| Condition | Here | England |
|---|---|---|
| Hypertension | 17.3% | 15.2% |
| Diabetes | 5.7% | 7.9% |
| Asthma | 7.8% | 6.6% |
| COPD | 1.4% | 1.9% |
| Coronary heart disease | 2.5% | 3.0% |
| Depression | 15.4% | 14.3% |
| Obesity | 13.2% | 13.9% |
| Smoking | 8.8% | 13.5% |
Health checks done
| Check | Here | England |
|---|---|---|
| Cervical screening, women 25-49 | 81% | 67% |
| Cervical screening, women 50-64 | 81% | 75% |
| Blood pressure controlled (hypertension, under 80) | 77% | 68% |
| Blood pressure checked in last 5 years (45+) | 86% | 87% |
| Diabetes: blood pressure on target | 82% | 75% |
| Diabetes: blood sugar (HbA1c) on target | 64% | 57% |
| Diabetes: annual foot check | 83% | 78% |
| Asthma: annual review | 75% | 66% |
Other surgeries nearby
| Surgery | Distance | Score | Easy by phone | Rated good | New patients |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Downland Practicethis surgery | – | 78 | 77% | 87% | Yes |
| Strawberry Hill Medical CentreNewbury, RG14 1JU | 4.0 miles | 36 | 61% | 76% | Yes |
| Thatcham Health CentreThatcham, RG18 3HD | 4.6 miles | 41 | 55% | 80% | Yes |
| Eastfield House SurgeryNewbury, RG14 7LW | 4.7 miles | 36 | 57% | 75% | Yes |
| Burdwood SurgeryThatcham, RG19 4YF | 5.4 miles | 79 | 67% | 86% | Yes |
| Falkland SurgeryNewbury, RG14 7DF | 5.7 miles | 63 | 67% | 81% | Yes |
| Chapel Row SurgeryReading, RG7 6NS | 6.6 miles | 93 | 87% | 90% | Yes |
| Kintbury & Woolton Hill SurgeryHungerford, RG17 9UX | 7.3 miles | 92 | 92% | 97% | Yes |
| Hungerford SurgeryHungerford, RG17 0HY | 9.4 miles | 89 | 91% | 89% | Yes |
| Lambourn SurgeryHungerford, RG17 8PS | 9.6 miles | 77 | 87% | 85% | Yes |
Chapel Row Surgery is 6.6 miles away, scores 93 and is taking on new patients. You can usually join any surgery that covers your address.
Common questions
Is The Downland Practice taking on new patients?
Yes. When we last checked its page on the NHS website (20 September 2026), The Downland Practice was taking on new patients. You can register online through the NHS website or call the surgery on 01635 248251.
How do patients rate The Downland Practice?
In the 2026 NHS GP Patient Survey, 87% of patients at The Downland Practice said their overall experience was good. The England average is 77%. 77% found it easy to get through by phone (England 57%). Its GPScore is 78 out of 100, grade B, which puts it in the second-best 20% of GP surgeries in England.
What is the inspection rating for The Downland Practice?
The Care Quality Commission, which inspects GP surgeries in England, rated The Downland Practice as Good at its last published inspection (report published 11 February 2016).
What are the opening times of The Downland Practice?
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 1 July 2026. Bank holidays may differ.
How do I contact The Downland Practice?
Call 01635 248251. You can also book and order repeat prescriptions in the NHS App. The address is East Lane, Chieveley, Newbury, RG20 8UY.
Does The Downland Practice have a branch surgery?
Yes. The Downland Practice also runs Dr. Lowenthal (The Downland Practice, High Street, Compton, Newbury, RG20 6NJ). Patients register with the practice and can usually be seen at either site.
How many patients are registered at The Downland Practice?
Around 11,065 patients are registered (January 2025). The surgery is part of A34 West Berkshire PCN, a group of local surgeries that share staff and services, in the Thames Valley 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.