GP surgery in Epping
The Limes Medical Centre
The Plain, Epping, CM16 6TL
Scores 0 out of 100, poor for a GP surgery in England. 49% of patients say their experience is good and 17% find it easy to get through on the phone (England: 77% and 57%). Inspectors rated it Requires improvement in 2026. 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 0
- Easy to get through on the phone0
- Easy to contact online0
- Good experience of getting in touch0
- Did not wait too long for the appointment1
Quality of care 1
- Patients rate the surgery as good1
- Patients got what they needed43
- Doctors and nurses listen15
- Patients trust the staff6
- Inspection rating (Requires improvement)2
- Health checks and screening done22
- Meets NHS clinical targets7
- Children vaccinated on time20
What patients say
111 patients answered the 2026 NHS survey about this surgery.
17%
find the phone easy
well below the England average (57%)
49%
say their experience is good
well below the England average (77%)
-18
change since last year
2025: 67% · 2026: 49%
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 | 17% | 57% | 23% |
| Easy to contact via website | 16% | 58% | 10% |
| Easy to contact via NHS App | 24% | 54% | 8% |
| Reception staff helpful | 65% | 85% | 79% |
| Seeing the same person | |||
| Has a preferred clinician | 13% | 31% | 14% |
| Sees preferred clinician | 11% | 42% | 10% |
| What happened when they got in touch | |||
| Knew what would happen next | 69% | 84% | 86% |
| Next steps within 2 days | 93% | 93% | 95% |
| Good experience of contacting | 38% | 73% | 51% |
| The appointment | |||
| Offered a choice of time or day | 26% | 57% | 44% |
| Waiting time was about right | 40% | 69% | 62% |
| Remote appointment | 24% | 26% | 15% |
| The doctor or nurse | |||
| Good at listening | 80% | 87% | 85% |
| Treated with care and concern | 81% | 86% | 88% |
| Considered mental wellbeing | 55% | 75% | 68% |
| Had all the information needed | 90% | 92% | 96% |
| Confidence and trust | 84% | 93% | 95% |
| Involved in decisions | 88% | 92% | 90% |
| Needs were met | 90% | 90% | 91% |
| Overall | |||
| Overall experience good | 49% | 77% | 67% |
| Living with a long-term condition | |||
| Confident managing conditions | 79% | 79% | 86% |
| Supported by local services | 51% | 70% | 63% |
| Discussed managing condition | 30% | 43% | 40% |
| Agreed a care plan | 33% | 46% | 46% |
Green means at least 2 points better than England, red at least 2 points worse. With about 111 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 | 8:30am to 1pm 2pm to 5:30pm |
| Tuesday | 8:30am to 1pm 2pm to 5:30pm |
| Wednesday | 8:30am to 1pm 2pm to 5:30pm |
| Thursday | 8:30am to 1pm 2pm to 5:30pm |
| Friday | 8:30am to 1pm 2pm to 5:30pm |
| Saturday | Closed |
| Sunday | Closed |
Confirmed by the surgery on 23 December 2019. Bank holidays may differ.
- Address
- The Plain, Epping, CM16 6TL
- Phone
- 01992 573838
- [email protected]
- Website
- www.thelimesmedicalcentre.com
- Online
- Book, order repeat prescriptions and see records in the NHS App
- Works with
- Epping Forest North PCN (a group of local surgeries that share services)
- NHS code
- F81043 · NHS profile
Branch surgeries
Run by this practice from another building. Patients register with the practice, not the branch.
- Thrifts Mead Surgery
- Thrifts Mead, Theydon Bois, CM16 7NE · 01922 812450
- Waltham Abbey Health Centre
- Sewardstone Road, Waltham Abbey, EN9 1NP · 01992 714088
- Wheelers Farm Garden Surgery
- 67 Wheelers Farm Gardens, North Weald, CM16 6HW · 01992 524383
Access and facilities
- Braille translation service
- Disabled parking
- Disabled toilet
- Induction loop
- Signing service
- Step-free access
- Text relay
- Wheelchair access
- Baby changing facility
- 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
Requires improvement
overall, from the inspection published 30 April 2026
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 | 16.4% | 15.2% |
| Diabetes | 7.2% | 7.9% |
| Asthma | 6.3% | 6.6% |
| COPD | 2.0% | 1.9% |
| Coronary heart disease | 2.9% | 3.0% |
| Depression | 11.2% | 14.3% |
| Obesity | 10.1% | 13.9% |
| Smoking | 10.9% | 13.5% |
Health checks done
| Check | Here | England |
|---|---|---|
| Cervical screening, women 25-49 | 70% | 67% |
| Cervical screening, women 50-64 | 74% | 75% |
| Blood pressure controlled (hypertension, under 80) | 65% | 68% |
| Blood pressure checked in last 5 years (45+) | 87% | 87% |
| Diabetes: blood pressure on target | 67% | 75% |
| Diabetes: blood sugar (HbA1c) on target | 54% | 57% |
| Diabetes: annual foot check | 58% | 78% |
| Asthma: annual review | 50% | 66% |
Other surgeries nearby
| Surgery | Distance | Score | Easy by phone | Rated good | New patients |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Limes Medical Centrethis surgery | – | 0 | 17% | 49% | Yes |
| High Street Surgery, EppingEpping, CM16 4DA | 0.6 miles | 42 | 49% | 81% | Yes |
| The Hamilton PracticeHarlow, CM18 6LY | 3.5 miles | 40 | 65% | 77% | Yes |
| The Ross PracticeHarlow, CM18 6LY | 3.5 miles | 28 | 37% | 70% | Yes |
| Lister Medical CentreHarlow, CM18 6YJ | 3.6 miles | 1 | 25% | 57% | Yes |
| Abridge SurgeryRomford, RM4 1UD | 3.7 miles | 51 | 60% | 79% | Yes |
| Forest PracticeLoughton, IG10 2NH | 4.1 miles | 19 | 50% | 76% | Yes |
| Church Langley Medical PracticeHarlow, CM17 9TG | 4.3 miles | 10 | 48% | 56% | Yes |
| Sydenham House SurgeryHarlow, CM20 3NT | 4.4 miles | 65 | 81% | 83% | Yes |
| Maynard Court SurgeryWaltham Abbey, EN9 3DU | 4.7 miles | 82 | 87% | 90% | Yes |
High Street Surgery, Epping is 0.6 miles away, scores 42 and is taking on new patients. You can usually join any surgery that covers your address.
Common questions
Is The Limes Medical Centre taking on new patients?
Yes. When we last checked its page on the NHS website (20 September 2026), The Limes Medical Centre was taking on new patients. You can register online through the NHS website or call the surgery on 01992 573838.
How do patients rate The Limes Medical Centre?
In the 2026 NHS GP Patient Survey, 49% of patients at The Limes Medical Centre said their overall experience was good. The England average is 77%. 17% found it easy to get through by phone (England 57%). Its GPScore is 0 out of 100, grade E, which puts it in the bottom 20% of GP surgeries in England.
What is the inspection rating for The Limes Medical Centre?
The Care Quality Commission, which inspects GP surgeries in England, rated The Limes Medical Centre as Requires improvement at its last published inspection (report published 30 April 2026).
What are the opening times of The Limes Medical Centre?
Reception is open Monday 8:30am to 1pm 2pm to 5:30pm, Tuesday 8:30am to 1pm 2pm to 5:30pm, Wednesday 8:30am to 1pm 2pm to 5:30pm, Thursday 8:30am to 1pm 2pm to 5:30pm, Friday 8:30am to 1pm 2pm to 5:30pm, Saturday closed, Sunday closed. The surgery last confirmed these times on 23 December 2019. Bank holidays may differ.
How do I contact The Limes Medical Centre?
Call 01992 573838 or visit its website, www.thelimesmedicalcentre.com. You can also book and order repeat prescriptions in the NHS App. The address is The Plain, Epping, CM16 6TL.
Does The Limes Medical Centre have a branch surgery?
Yes. The Limes Medical Centre also runs Thrifts Mead Surgery (Thrifts Mead, Theydon Bois, CM16 7NE) and Waltham Abbey Health Centre (Sewardstone Road, Waltham Abbey, EN9 1NP) and Wheelers Farm Garden Surgery (67 Wheelers Farm Gardens, North Weald, CM16 6HW). Patients register with the practice and can usually be seen at either site.
How many patients are registered at The Limes Medical Centre?
Around 18,374 patients are registered (January 2025). The surgery is part of Epping Forest North PCN, a group of local surgeries that share staff and services, in the Essex 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.