GP surgery in Bury St Edmunds
The Guildhall and Barrow Surgery
Lower Baxter Street, Bury St Edmunds, IP33 1ET
Scores 66 out of 100, good for a GP surgery in England. 86% of patients say their experience is good and 68% find it easy to get through on the phone (England: 77% and 57%). Inspectors rated it Good in 2019. 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 45
- Easy to get through on the phone61
- Easy to contact online12
- Good experience of getting in touch54
- Did not wait too long for the appointment34
Quality of care 89
- Patients rate the surgery as good75
- Patients got what they needed84
- Doctors and nurses listen95
- Patients trust the staff81
- Inspection rating (Good)50
- Health checks and screening done84
- Meets NHS clinical targets76
- Children vaccinated on time63
What patients say
129 patients answered the 2026 NHS survey about this surgery.
68%
find the phone easy
well above the England average (57%)
86%
say their experience is good
well above the England average (77%)
+7
change since last year
2025: 79% · 2026: 86%
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 | 68% | 57% | 48% |
| Easy to contact via website | 39% | 58% | 40% |
| Easy to contact via NHS App | 59% | 54% | 45% |
| Reception staff helpful | 85% | 85% | 81% |
| Seeing the same person | |||
| Has a preferred clinician | 49% | 31% | 44% |
| Sees preferred clinician | 64% | 42% | 56% |
| What happened when they got in touch | |||
| Knew what would happen next | 89% | 84% | 94% |
| Next steps within 2 days | 93% | 93% | 94% |
| Good experience of contacting | 77% | 73% | 78% |
| The appointment | |||
| Offered a choice of time or day | 56% | 57% | 56% |
| Waiting time was about right | 66% | 69% | 70% |
| Remote appointment | 12% | 26% | 28% |
| The doctor or nurse | |||
| Good at listening | 97% | 87% | 95% |
| Treated with care and concern | 96% | 86% | 92% |
| Considered mental wellbeing | 91% | 75% | 86% |
| Had all the information needed | 99% | 92% | 97% |
| Confidence and trust | 97% | 93% | 95% |
| Involved in decisions | 96% | 92% | 96% |
| Needs were met | 96% | 90% | 93% |
| Overall | |||
| Overall experience good | 86% | 77% | 79% |
| Living with a long-term condition | |||
| Confident managing conditions | 88% | 79% | 73% |
| Supported by local services | 85% | 70% | 85% |
| Discussed managing condition | 52% | 43% | 58% |
| Agreed a care plan | 57% | 46% | 62% |
Green means at least 2 points better than England, red at least 2 points worse. With about 129 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 6 June 2023. Bank holidays may differ.
- Address
- Lower Baxter Street, Bury St Edmunds, IP33 1ET
- Phone
- 01284 701601
- [email protected]
- Website
- www.theguildhallsurgery.co.uk
- Online
- Book, order repeat prescriptions and see records in the NHS App
- Works with
- Bury St Edmunds PCN (a group of local surgeries that share services)
- NHS code
- D83013 · NHS profile
Branch surgery
Run by this practice from another building. Patients register with the practice, not the branch.
- Barrow Surgery
- Barrow Hill, Barrow, Bury St. Edmunds, IP29 5DX
Access and facilities
- Braille translation service
- Disabled toilet
- Induction loop
- Signing service
- Step-free access
- Wheelchair access
- Baby changing facility
- Baby changing facility
- Cycle parking
Pins show each surgery's score. Get directions
Inspection rating
By the Care Quality Commission, the NHS regulator
Good
overall, from the inspection published 4 February 2019
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 | 19.0% | 15.2% |
| Diabetes | 8.7% | 7.9% |
| Asthma | 8.4% | 6.6% |
| COPD | 2.4% | 1.9% |
| Coronary heart disease | 3.7% | 3.0% |
| Depression | 10.1% | 14.3% |
| Obesity | 13.0% | 13.9% |
| Smoking | 12.1% | 13.5% |
Health checks done
| Check | Here | England |
|---|---|---|
| Cervical screening, women 25-49 | 70% | 67% |
| Cervical screening, women 50-64 | 77% | 75% |
| Blood pressure controlled (hypertension, under 80) | 76% | 68% |
| Blood pressure checked in last 5 years (45+) | 92% | 87% |
| Diabetes: blood pressure on target | 76% | 75% |
| Diabetes: blood sugar (HbA1c) on target | 71% | 57% |
| Diabetes: annual foot check | 77% | 78% |
| Asthma: annual review | 77% | 66% |
Other surgeries nearby
| Surgery | Distance | Score | Easy by phone | Rated good | New patients |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Guildhall and Barrow Surgerythis surgery | – | 66 | 68% | 86% | Yes |
| Angel Hill SurgeryBury St. Edmunds, IP33 1LU | 0.1 mile | 26 | 47% | 70% | Yes |
| Swan SurgeryBury St. Edmunds, IP33 1AE | 0.3 miles | 62 | 50% | 79% | Yes |
| Victoria SurgeryBury St. Edmunds, IP33 3BB | 0.5 miles | 92 | 88% | 93% | Yes |
| Mount Farm SurgeryBury St. Edmunds, IP32 7EW | 1.2 miles | 25 | 38% | 71% | Yes |
| Ixworth SurgeryBury St. Edmunds, IP31 2HD | 6.3 miles | 84 | 74% | 91% | Yes |
| Woolpit Health CentreBury St. Edmunds, IP30 9QU | 7.8 miles | 35 | 42% | 71% | Yes |
| Wickhambrook SurgeryNewmarket, CB8 8XU | 8.7 miles | 78 | 80% | 86% | Yes |
| Stanton SurgeryBury St. Edmunds, IP31 2XA | 9.0 miles | 62 | 78% | 86% | Yes |
| Glemsford SurgerySudbury, CO10 7RF | 10.1 miles | 29 | 39% | 67% | – |
Victoria Surgery is 0.5 miles away, scores 92 and is taking on new patients. You can usually join any surgery that covers your address.
Common questions
Is The Guildhall and Barrow Surgery taking on new patients?
Yes. When we last checked its page on the NHS website (20 September 2026), The Guildhall and Barrow Surgery was taking on new patients. You can register online through the NHS website or call the surgery on 01284 701601.
How do patients rate The Guildhall and Barrow Surgery?
In the 2026 NHS GP Patient Survey, 86% of patients at The Guildhall and Barrow Surgery said their overall experience was good. The England average is 77%. 68% found it easy to get through by phone (England 57%). Its GPScore is 66 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 Guildhall and Barrow Surgery?
The Care Quality Commission, which inspects GP surgeries in England, rated The Guildhall and Barrow Surgery as Good at its last published inspection (report published 4 February 2019).
What are the opening times of The Guildhall and Barrow 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 6 June 2023. Bank holidays may differ.
How do I contact The Guildhall and Barrow Surgery?
Call 01284 701601 or visit its website, www.theguildhallsurgery.co.uk. You can also book and order repeat prescriptions in the NHS App. The address is Lower Baxter Street, Bury St Edmunds, IP33 1ET.
Does The Guildhall and Barrow Surgery have a branch surgery?
Yes. The Guildhall and Barrow Surgery also runs Barrow Surgery (Barrow Hill, Barrow, Bury St. Edmunds, IP29 5DX). Patients register with the practice and can usually be seen at either site.
How many patients are registered at The Guildhall and Barrow Surgery?
Around 13,524 patients are registered (January 2025). The surgery is part of Bury St Edmunds PCN, a group of local surgeries that share staff and services, in the Norfolk and Suffolk 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.