GP surgery in Herne Bay
The Heron Medical Practice
Heron Medical Practice, 161 Station Road, Herne Bay, CT6 5NF
Scores 34 out of 100, below average for a GP surgery in England. 72% of patients say their experience is good and 56% find it easy to get through on the phone (England: 77% and 57%). Inspectors rated it Good in 2018. 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 phone40
- Easy to contact online48
- Good experience of getting in touch36
- Did not wait too long for the appointment59
Quality of care 25
- Patients rate the surgery as good26
- Patients got what they needed16
- Doctors and nurses listen34
- Patients trust the staff74
- Inspection rating (Good)50
- Health checks and screening done24
- Meets NHS clinical targets46
- Children vaccinated on time35
What patients say
119 patients answered the 2026 NHS survey about this surgery.
56%
find the phone easy
about the England average (57%)
72%
say their experience is good
below the England average (77%)
-7
change since last year
2025: 79% · 2026: 72%
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 | 56% | 57% | 33% |
| Easy to contact via website | 57% | 58% | 63% |
| Easy to contact via NHS App | 62% | 54% | 52% |
| Reception staff helpful | 87% | 85% | 88% |
| Seeing the same person | |||
| Has a preferred clinician | 33% | 31% | 18% |
| Sees preferred clinician | 18% | 42% | 18% |
| What happened when they got in touch | |||
| Knew what would happen next | 86% | 84% | 80% |
| Next steps within 2 days | 91% | 93% | 92% |
| Good experience of contacting | 71% | 73% | 74% |
| The appointment | |||
| Offered a choice of time or day | 53% | 57% | 40% |
| Waiting time was about right | 75% | 69% | 70% |
| Remote appointment | 25% | 26% | 28% |
| The doctor or nurse | |||
| Good at listening | 85% | 87% | 90% |
| Treated with care and concern | 80% | 86% | 88% |
| Considered mental wellbeing | 66% | 75% | 68% |
| Had all the information needed | 91% | 92% | 92% |
| Confidence and trust | 96% | 93% | 92% |
| Involved in decisions | 89% | 92% | 92% |
| Needs were met | 85% | 90% | 93% |
| Overall | |||
| Overall experience good | 72% | 77% | 79% |
| Living with a long-term condition | |||
| Confident managing conditions | 77% | 79% | 81% |
| Supported by local services | 70% | 70% | 54% |
| Discussed managing condition | 39% | 43% | 25% |
| Agreed a care plan | 48% | 46% | 39% |
Green means at least 2 points better than England, red at least 2 points worse. With about 119 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 8pm |
| Wednesday | 8am to 8pm |
| Thursday | 8am to 8pm |
| Friday | 8am to 6:30pm |
| Saturday | Closed |
| Sunday | Closed |
Confirmed by the surgery on 17 May 2024. Bank holidays may differ.
- Address
- Heron Medical Practice, 161 Station Road, Herne Bay, CT6 5NF
- Phone
- 01227 742226
- [email protected]
- Website
- www.theheronmedicalpractice.co.uk
- Online
- Book, order repeat prescriptions and see records in the NHS App
- Works with
- Herne Bay PCN (a group of local surgeries that share services)
- NHS code
- G82090 · NHS profile
Branch surgeries
Run by this practice from another building. Patients register with the practice, not the branch.
- Beltinge Surgery
- 269 Reculver Road, Herne Bay, CT6 6SR
- Hersden Surgery
- The Surgery, St. Albans Road, Hersden, Canterbury, CT3 4EX
Access and facilities
- Braille translation service
- Disabled parking
- Disabled toilet
- Induction loop
- Signing service
- Step-free access
- Text relay
- Wheelchair access
- Car parking
- Disabled 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 29 August 2018
This rating is 8 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 | 24.1% | 15.2% |
| Diabetes | 9.9% | 7.9% |
| Asthma | 7.4% | 6.6% |
| COPD | 3.0% | 1.9% |
| Coronary heart disease | 4.2% | 3.0% |
| Depression | 20.0% | 14.3% |
| Obesity | 14.1% | 13.9% |
| Smoking | 15.3% | 13.5% |
Health checks done
| Check | Here | England |
|---|---|---|
| Cervical screening, women 25-49 | 69% | 67% |
| Cervical screening, women 50-64 | 69% | 75% |
| Blood pressure controlled (hypertension, under 80) | 68% | 68% |
| Blood pressure checked in last 5 years (45+) | 90% | 87% |
| Diabetes: blood pressure on target | 69% | 75% |
| Diabetes: blood sugar (HbA1c) on target | 57% | 57% |
| Diabetes: annual foot check | 73% | 78% |
| Asthma: annual review | 48% | 66% |
Other surgeries nearby
| Surgery | Distance | Score | Easy by phone | Rated good | New patients |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Heron Medical Practicethis surgery | – | 34 | 56% | 72% | Yes |
| Park SurgeryHerne Bay, CT6 5RE | 0.2 miles | 78 | 63% | 90% | Yes |
| Sturry SurgeryCanterbury, CT2 0EF | 4.6 miles | 75 | 76% | 88% | Yes |
| Whitstable Medical PracticeWhitstable, CT5 3SE | 5.1 miles | 73 | 70% | 86% | Yes |
| University Medical CentreCanterbury, CT2 7PB | 5.8 miles | 51 | 72% | 80% | Yes |
| Northgate Medical PracticeCanterbury, CT1 1WL | 6.2 miles | 18 | 35% | 72% | Yes |
| New Dover Road SurgeryCanterbury, CT1 3AP | 6.9 miles | 53 | 59% | 87% | Yes |
| Canterbury Health CentreCanterbury, CT1 3JH | 6.9 miles | 39 | 72% | 74% | Yes |
| Birchington Medical CentreBirchington, CT7 9HQ | 7.6 miles | 23 | 48% | 71% | Yes |
| Canterbury Medical PracticeCanterbury, CT4 5BL | 8.7 miles | 22 | 37% | 74% | Yes |
Park Surgery is 0.2 miles away, scores 78 and is taking on new patients. You can usually join any surgery that covers your address.
Common questions
Is The Heron Medical Practice taking on new patients?
Yes. When we last checked its page on the NHS website (20 September 2026), The Heron Medical Practice was taking on new patients. You can register online through the NHS website or call the surgery on 01227 742226.
How do patients rate The Heron Medical Practice?
In the 2026 NHS GP Patient Survey, 72% of patients at The Heron Medical Practice said their overall experience was good. The England average is 77%. 56% found it easy to get through by phone (England 57%). Its GPScore is 34 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 Heron Medical Practice?
The Care Quality Commission, which inspects GP surgeries in England, rated The Heron Medical Practice as Good at its last published inspection (report published 29 August 2018).
What are the opening times of The Heron Medical Practice?
Reception is open Monday 8am to 6:30pm, Tuesday 8am to 8pm, Wednesday 8am to 8pm, Thursday 8am to 8pm, Friday 8am to 6:30pm, Saturday closed, Sunday closed. The surgery last confirmed these times on 17 May 2024. Bank holidays may differ.
How do I contact The Heron Medical Practice?
Call 01227 742226 or visit its website, www.theheronmedicalpractice.co.uk. You can also book and order repeat prescriptions in the NHS App. The address is Heron Medical Practice, 161 Station Road, Herne Bay, CT6 5NF.
Does The Heron Medical Practice have a branch surgery?
Yes. The Heron Medical Practice also runs Beltinge Surgery (269 Reculver Road, Herne Bay, CT6 6SR) and Hersden Surgery (The Surgery, St. Albans Road, Hersden, Canterbury, CT3 4EX). Patients register with the practice and can usually be seen at either site.
How many patients are registered at The Heron Medical Practice?
Around 17,881 patients are registered (January 2025). The surgery is part of Herne Bay PCN, a group of local surgeries that share staff and services, in the Kent and Medway 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.