GP surgery in Waltham Forest
The Forest Surgery
2 Macdonald Road, Walthamstow, London, E17 4BA
Scores 40 out of 100, below average for a GP surgery in England. 74% of patients say their experience is good and 50% 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 44
- Easy to get through on the phone28
- Easy to contact online69
- Good experience of getting in touch36
- Did not wait too long for the appointment63
Quality of care 36
- Patients rate the surgery as good34
- Patients got what they needed59
- Doctors and nurses listen39
- Patients trust the staff54
- Inspection rating (Requires improvement)2
- Health checks and screening done77
- Meets NHS clinical targets90
- Children vaccinated on time16
What patients say
96 patients answered the 2026 NHS survey about this surgery.
50%
find the phone easy
below the England average (57%)
74%
say their experience is good
below the England average (77%)
+4
change since last year
2025: 71% · 2026: 74%
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 | 50% | 57% | 48% |
| Easy to contact via website | 66% | 58% | 58% |
| Easy to contact via NHS App | 62% | 54% | 42% |
| Reception staff helpful | 78% | 85% | 82% |
| Seeing the same person | |||
| Has a preferred clinician | 34% | 31% | 33% |
| Sees preferred clinician | 42% | 42% | 24% |
| What happened when they got in touch | |||
| Knew what would happen next | 79% | 84% | 83% |
| Next steps within 2 days | 97% | 93% | 98% |
| Good experience of contacting | 71% | 73% | 70% |
| The appointment | |||
| Offered a choice of time or day | 43% | 57% | 40% |
| Waiting time was about right | 76% | 69% | 66% |
| Remote appointment | 32% | 26% | 25% |
| The doctor or nurse | |||
| Good at listening | 86% | 87% | 87% |
| Treated with care and concern | 86% | 86% | 82% |
| Considered mental wellbeing | 82% | 75% | 66% |
| Had all the information needed | 98% | 92% | 91% |
| Confidence and trust | 94% | 93% | 95% |
| Involved in decisions | 94% | 92% | 86% |
| Needs were met | 92% | 90% | 87% |
| Overall | |||
| Overall experience good | 74% | 77% | 71% |
| Living with a long-term condition | |||
| Confident managing conditions | 67% | 79% | 73% |
| Supported by local services | 64% | 70% | 63% |
| Discussed managing condition | 48% | 43% | 33% |
| Agreed a care plan | 70% | 46% | 27% |
Green means at least 2 points better than England, red at least 2 points worse. With about 96 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 11 February 2019. Bank holidays may differ.
- Address
- 2 Macdonald Road, Walthamstow, London, E17 4BA
- Phone
- 020 8498 4988
- [email protected]
- Online
- Book, order repeat prescriptions and see records in the NHS App
- Works with
- Waltham Forest 8 PCN (a group of local surgeries that share services)
- NHS code
- F86026 · NHS profile
Access and facilities
- Cycle parking
Pins show each surgery's score. Get directions
Inspection rating
By the Care Quality Commission, the NHS regulator
Requires improvement
overall, from the inspection published 22 November 2023
The five questions inspectors ask
| Is it safe? | Good |
| Is it effective? | Requires improvement |
| Is it caring? | Requires improvement |
| Is it responsive? | Requires improvement |
| Is it well-led? | Requires improvement |
About the patients
NHS records for the people registered here
Common health conditions
| Condition | Here | England |
|---|---|---|
| Hypertension | 9.9% | 15.2% |
| Diabetes | 7.9% | 7.9% |
| Asthma | 6.1% | 6.6% |
| COPD | 0.9% | 1.9% |
| Coronary heart disease | 2.2% | 3.0% |
| Depression | 9.3% | 14.3% |
| Obesity | 12.8% | 13.9% |
| Smoking | 16.4% | 13.5% |
Health checks done
| Check | Here | England |
|---|---|---|
| Cervical screening, women 25-49 | 56% | 67% |
| Cervical screening, women 50-64 | 68% | 75% |
| Blood pressure controlled (hypertension, under 80) | 73% | 68% |
| Blood pressure checked in last 5 years (45+) | 90% | 87% |
| Diabetes: blood pressure on target | 80% | 75% |
| Diabetes: blood sugar (HbA1c) on target | 71% | 57% |
| Diabetes: annual foot check | 88% | 78% |
| Asthma: annual review | 73% | 66% |
Other surgeries nearby
| Surgery | Distance | Score | Easy by phone | Rated good | New patients |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Forest Surgerythis surgery | – | 40 | 50% | 74% | Yes |
| Waltham Forest Comm & Fam Hth Serv LtdLondon, E17 3LA | 0.5 miles | 22 | 50% | 78% | Yes |
| Dr Dhital PracticeLondon, E17 3LA | 0.5 miles | 44 | 64% | 77% | Yes |
| Addison Road Medical PracticeLondon, E17 9LY | 0.8 miles | 37 | 55% | 71% | Yes |
| The Bailey PracticeLondon, E17 9LY | 0.8 miles | 68 | 88% | 83% | Yes |
| The Penrhyn SurgeryLondon, E17 5DB | 0.8 miles | 5 | 36% | 57% | Yes |
| Handsworth Medical PracticeLondon, E4 9PD | 0.9 miles | 25 | 31% | 73% | Yes |
| Dr Shantir PracticeLondon, E17 5JL | 1.0 miles | 11 | 58% | 63% | Yes |
| The Ecclesbourne PracticeLondon, E17 9DP | 1.0 miles | 5 | 27% | 56% | Yes |
| Grove SurgeryLondon, E17 9BU | 1.1 miles | 10 | 56% | 56% | Yes |
The Bailey Practice is 0.8 miles away, scores 68 and is taking on new patients. You can usually join any surgery that covers your address.
Common questions
Is The Forest Surgery taking on new patients?
Yes. When we last checked its page on the NHS website (20 September 2026), The Forest Surgery was taking on new patients. You can register online through the NHS website or call the surgery on 020 8498 4988.
How do patients rate The Forest Surgery?
In the 2026 NHS GP Patient Survey, 74% of patients at The Forest Surgery said their overall experience was good. The England average is 77%. 50% found it easy to get through by phone (England 57%). Its GPScore is 40 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 Forest Surgery?
The Care Quality Commission, which inspects GP surgeries in England, rated The Forest Surgery as Requires improvement at its last published inspection (report published 22 November 2023).
What are the opening times of The Forest 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 11 February 2019. Bank holidays may differ.
How do I contact The Forest Surgery?
Call 020 8498 4988. You can also book and order repeat prescriptions in the NHS App. The address is 2 Macdonald Road, Walthamstow, London, E17 4BA.
How many patients are registered at The Forest Surgery?
Around 6,986 patients are registered (January 2025). The surgery is part of Waltham Forest 8 PCN, a group of local surgeries that share staff and services, in the North East 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.