GP surgery in Chester
The Handbridge Medical Centre
Greenway Street, Handbridge, Chester, CH4 7JS
Scores 65 out of 100, good for a GP surgery in England. 83% of patients say their experience is good and 60% 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 60
- Easy to get through on the phone46
- Easy to contact online30
- Good experience of getting in touch55
- Did not wait too long for the appointment82
Quality of care 69
- Patients rate the surgery as good62
- Patients got what they needed92
- Doctors and nurses listen82
- Patients trust the staff53
- Inspection rating (Requires improvement)2
- Health checks and screening done67
- Meets NHS clinical targets81
- Children vaccinated on time82
What patients say
120 patients answered the 2026 NHS survey about this surgery.
60%
find the phone easy
above the England average (57%)
82%
say their experience is good
above the England average (77%)
+3
change since last year
2025: 80% · 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 | 60% | 57% | 50% |
| Easy to contact via website | 49% | 58% | 47% |
| Easy to contact via NHS App | 50% | 54% | 61% |
| Reception staff helpful | 89% | 85% | 85% |
| Seeing the same person | |||
| Has a preferred clinician | 24% | 31% | 29% |
| Sees preferred clinician | 29% | 42% | 35% |
| What happened when they got in touch | |||
| Knew what would happen next | 90% | 84% | 81% |
| Next steps within 2 days | 94% | 93% | 98% |
| Good experience of contacting | 77% | 73% | 66% |
| The appointment | |||
| Offered a choice of time or day | 48% | 57% | 48% |
| Waiting time was about right | 83% | 69% | 85% |
| Remote appointment | 17% | 26% | 19% |
| The doctor or nurse | |||
| Good at listening | 93% | 87% | 87% |
| Treated with care and concern | 92% | 86% | 89% |
| Considered mental wellbeing | 84% | 75% | 74% |
| Had all the information needed | 94% | 92% | 93% |
| Confidence and trust | 94% | 93% | 96% |
| Involved in decisions | 94% | 92% | 96% |
| Needs were met | 97% | 90% | 92% |
| Overall | |||
| Overall experience good | 82% | 77% | 80% |
| Living with a long-term condition | |||
| Confident managing conditions | 77% | 79% | 80% |
| Supported by local services | 64% | 70% | 59% |
| Discussed managing condition | 46% | 43% | 49% |
| Agreed a care plan | 30% | 46% | 28% |
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
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 28 June 2012. Bank holidays may differ.
- Address
- Greenway Street, Handbridge, Chester, CH4 7JS
- Phone
- 01244 680169
- Online
- Book, order repeat prescriptions and see records in the NHS App
- Works with
- Chester South PCN (a group of local surgeries that share services)
- NHS code
- N81101 · NHS profile
Access and facilities
- Disabled toilet
- Wheelchair access
- Car 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 15 November 2023
The five questions inspectors ask
| Is it safe? | Requires improvement |
| Is it effective? | Good |
| 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 | 12.9% | 15.2% |
| Diabetes | 4.8% | 7.9% |
| Asthma | 6.7% | 6.6% |
| COPD | 1.0% | 1.9% |
| Coronary heart disease | 2.7% | 3.0% |
| Depression | 14.3% | 14.3% |
| Obesity | 11.9% | 13.9% |
| Smoking | 7.4% | 13.5% |
Health checks done
| Check | Here | England |
|---|---|---|
| Cervical screening, women 25-49 | 73% | 67% |
| Cervical screening, women 50-64 | 82% | 75% |
| Blood pressure controlled (hypertension, under 80) | 74% | 68% |
| Blood pressure checked in last 5 years (45+) | 82% | 87% |
| Diabetes: blood pressure on target | 77% | 75% |
| Diabetes: blood sugar (HbA1c) on target | 66% | 57% |
| Diabetes: annual foot check | 83% | 78% |
| Asthma: annual review | 69% | 66% |
Other surgeries nearby
| Surgery | Distance | Score | Easy by phone | Rated good | New patients |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Handbridge Medical Centrethis surgery | – | 65 | 60% | 83% | Yes |
| City Walls Medical CentreChester, CH1 2NR | 0.6 miles | 26 | 45% | 68% | Yes |
| St Werburgh's Medical Practice HomelessChester, CH1 3EQ | 0.7 miles | – | 100% | 100% | – |
| Fountains Medical PracticeChester, CH1 4DS | 0.8 miles | 48 | 57% | 85% | Yes |
| The Elms Medical CentreChester, CH1 4DS | 0.8 miles | 76 | 67% | 84% | Yes |
| Northgate Medical CentreChester, CH1 4DS | 0.8 miles | 47 | 66% | 80% | Yes |
| Northgate Village SurgeryChester, CH1 4DS | 0.8 miles | 61 | 79% | 81% | Yes |
| Boughton Medical GroupChester, CH2 3DP | 0.8 miles | 87 | 68% | 92% | Yes |
| Garden Lane Medical CentreChester, CH1 4EN | 0.9 miles | 45 | 69% | 72% | Yes |
| Heath Lane Medical CentreChester, CH3 5UJ | 1.1 miles | 30 | 54% | 69% | Yes |
The Elms Medical Centre is 0.8 miles away, scores 76 and is taking on new patients. You can usually join any surgery that covers your address.
Common questions
Is The Handbridge Medical Centre taking on new patients?
Yes. When we last checked its page on the NHS website (20 September 2026), The Handbridge Medical Centre was taking on new patients. You can register online through the NHS website or call the surgery on 01244 680169.
How do patients rate The Handbridge Medical Centre?
In the 2026 NHS GP Patient Survey, 83% of patients at The Handbridge Medical Centre said their overall experience was good. The England average is 77%. 60% found it easy to get through by phone (England 57%). Its GPScore is 65 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 Handbridge Medical Centre?
The Care Quality Commission, which inspects GP surgeries in England, rated The Handbridge Medical Centre as Requires improvement at its last published inspection (report published 15 November 2023).
What are the opening times of The Handbridge 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 28 June 2012. Bank holidays may differ.
How do I contact The Handbridge Medical Centre?
Call 01244 680169. You can also book and order repeat prescriptions in the NHS App. The address is Greenway Street, Handbridge, Chester, CH4 7JS.
How many patients are registered at The Handbridge Medical Centre?
Around 7,985 patients are registered (January 2025). The surgery is part of Chester 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.