GP surgery in Watford
The Elms Surgery
38 the Avenue, Watford, WD17 4NT
Scores 81 out of 100, excellent for a GP surgery in England. 83% of patients say their experience is good and 86% find it easy to get through on the phone (England: 77% and 57%). Inspectors rated it Requires improvement in 2023. 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 89
- Easy to get through on the phone90
- Easy to contact online67
- Good experience of getting in touch85
- Did not wait too long for the appointment81
Quality of care 64
- Patients rate the surgery as good65
- Patients got what they needed70
- Doctors and nurses listen92
- Patients trust the staff69
- Inspection rating (Requires improvement)2
- Health checks and screening done48
- Meets NHS clinical targets89
- Children vaccinated on time54
What patients say
115 patients answered the 2026 NHS survey about this surgery.
86%
find the phone easy
well above the England average (57%)
83%
say their experience is good
above the England average (77%)
+1
change since last year
2025: 83% · 2026: 83%
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 | 86% | 57% | 76% |
| Easy to contact via website | 65% | 58% | 66% |
| Easy to contact via NHS App | 61% | 54% | 51% |
| Reception staff helpful | 95% | 85% | 92% |
| Seeing the same person | |||
| Has a preferred clinician | 27% | 31% | 35% |
| Sees preferred clinician | 43% | 42% | 34% |
| What happened when they got in touch | |||
| Knew what would happen next | 88% | 84% | 91% |
| Next steps within 2 days | 90% | 93% | 92% |
| Good experience of contacting | 87% | 73% | 85% |
| The appointment | |||
| Offered a choice of time or day | 80% | 57% | 77% |
| Waiting time was about right | 82% | 69% | 67% |
| Remote appointment | 18% | 26% | 32% |
| The doctor or nurse | |||
| Good at listening | 96% | 87% | 89% |
| Treated with care and concern | 94% | 86% | 87% |
| Considered mental wellbeing | 85% | 75% | 80% |
| Had all the information needed | 96% | 92% | 96% |
| Confidence and trust | 96% | 93% | 92% |
| Involved in decisions | 99% | 92% | 92% |
| Needs were met | 94% | 90% | 83% |
| Overall | |||
| Overall experience good | 83% | 77% | 83% |
| Living with a long-term condition | |||
| Confident managing conditions | 82% | 79% | 82% |
| Supported by local services | 78% | 70% | 70% |
| Discussed managing condition | 37% | 43% | 42% |
| Agreed a care plan | 49% | 46% | 53% |
Green means at least 2 points better than England, red at least 2 points worse. With about 115 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 12 June 2023. Bank holidays may differ.
- Address
- 38 the Avenue, Watford, WD17 4NT
- Phone
- 01923 224203
- [email protected]
- Website
- www.theelmssurgery.co.uk
- Online
- Book, order repeat prescriptions and see records in the NHS App
- Works with
- Central Watford PCN (a group of local surgeries that share services)
- NHS code
- E82069 · NHS profile
Branch surgery
Run by this practice from another building. Patients register with the practice, not the branch.
- 34 the Avenue (Admin Site)
- 34 the Avenue, Watford, WD17 4NS
Access and facilities
- Disabled parking
- Disabled toilet
- Induction loop
- Step-free access
- Text relay
- Wheelchair access
- Baby changing facility
- Children’s play area
- Parent and child parking
- 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
The five questions inspectors ask
| Is it safe? | Requires improvement |
| Is it effective? | Requires improvement |
| Is it caring? | Good |
| Is it responsive? | Good |
| Is it well-led? | Requires improvement |
About the patients
NHS records for the people registered here
Common health conditions
| Condition | Here | England |
|---|---|---|
| Hypertension | 10.9% | 15.2% |
| Diabetes | 7.0% | 7.9% |
| Asthma | 4.3% | 6.6% |
| COPD | 0.6% | 1.9% |
| Coronary heart disease | 1.7% | 3.0% |
| Depression | 10.3% | 14.3% |
| Obesity | 13.0% | 13.9% |
| Smoking | 11.7% | 13.5% |
Health checks done
| Check | Here | England |
|---|---|---|
| Cervical screening, women 25-49 | 63% | 67% |
| Cervical screening, women 50-64 | 70% | 75% |
| Blood pressure controlled (hypertension, under 80) | 62% | 68% |
| Blood pressure checked in last 5 years (45+) | 83% | 87% |
| Diabetes: blood pressure on target | 78% | 75% |
| Diabetes: blood sugar (HbA1c) on target | 61% | 57% |
| Diabetes: annual foot check | 79% | 78% |
| Asthma: annual review | 69% | 66% |
Other surgeries nearby
| Surgery | Distance | Score | Easy by phone | Rated good | New patients |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Elms Surgerythis surgery | – | 81 | 86% | 83% | Yes |
| Suthergrey House Medical CentreWatford, WD17 1LS | 0.2 miles | 21 | 45% | 69% | Yes |
| Watford Health CentreWatford, WD18 0JP | 0.4 miles | 24 | 44% | 71% | Yes |
| Sas West HertsWatford, WD18 7QR | 1.1 miles | – | – | – | No |
| Bridgewater SurgeriesWatford, WD18 7QR | 1.1 miles | 83 | 65% | 91% | Yes |
| Garston Medical CentreWatford, WD25 9GP | 1.5 miles | 47 | 64% | 78% | Yes |
| Manor View PracticeBushey, WD23 2NN | 1.7 miles | 50 | 52% | 80% | Yes |
| Attenborough SurgeryBushey, WD23 2NN | 1.7 miles | 62 | 64% | 82% | Yes |
| New Road SurgeryRickmansworth, WD3 3HD | 2.1 miles | 38 | 62% | 79% | Yes |
| Sheepcot Medical CentreWatford, WD25 7NL | 2.3 miles | 32 | 50% | 75% | Yes |
Common questions
Is The Elms Surgery taking on new patients?
Yes. When we last checked its page on the NHS website (20 September 2026), The Elms Surgery was taking on new patients. You can register online through the NHS website or call the surgery on 01923 224203.
How do patients rate The Elms Surgery?
In the 2026 NHS GP Patient Survey, 83% of patients at The Elms Surgery said their overall experience was good. The England average is 77%. 86% found it easy to get through by phone (England 57%). Its GPScore is 81 out of 100, grade A, which puts it in the top 20% of GP surgeries in England.
What is the inspection rating for The Elms Surgery?
The Care Quality Commission, which inspects GP surgeries in England, rated The Elms Surgery as Requires improvement at its last published inspection (report published 24 May 2023).
What are the opening times of The Elms Surgery?
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 12 June 2023. Bank holidays may differ.
How do I contact The Elms Surgery?
Call 01923 224203 or visit its website, www.theelmssurgery.co.uk. You can also book and order repeat prescriptions in the NHS App. The address is 38 the Avenue, Watford, WD17 4NT.
Does The Elms Surgery have a branch surgery?
Yes. The Elms Surgery also runs 34 the Avenue (Admin Site) (34 the Avenue, Watford, WD17 4NS). Patients register with the practice and can usually be seen at either site.
How many patients are registered at The Elms Surgery?
Around 9,040 patients are registered (January 2025). The surgery is part of Central Watford PCN, a group of local surgeries that share staff and services, in the Central East 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.