GP surgery in Bedford
The Vale Medical Practice
Wootton Vale Hlth Liv Centre, Fields Road, Wootton, Bedford, MK43 9JJ
Scores 62 out of 100, good for a GP surgery in England. 82% of patients say their experience is good and 65% find it easy to get through on the phone (England: 77% and 57%). Inspectors rated it Good in 2016. 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 67
- Easy to get through on the phone56
- Easy to contact online81
- Good experience of getting in touch66
- Did not wait too long for the appointment65
Quality of care 52
- Patients rate the surgery as good60
- Patients got what they needed40
- Doctors and nurses listen33
- Patients trust the staff28
- Inspection rating (Good)50
- Health checks and screening done65
- Meets NHS clinical targets73
- Children vaccinated on time69
What patients say
98 patients answered the 2026 NHS survey about this surgery.
65%
find the phone easy
above the England average (57%)
82%
say their experience is good
above the England average (77%)
0
change since last year
2025: 82% · 2026: 82%
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 | 65% | 57% | 50% |
| Easy to contact via website | 72% | 58% | 75% |
| Easy to contact via NHS App | 53% | 54% | 48% |
| Reception staff helpful | 85% | 85% | 91% |
| Seeing the same person | |||
| Has a preferred clinician | 19% | 31% | 15% |
| Sees preferred clinician | 35% | 42% | 23% |
| What happened when they got in touch | |||
| Knew what would happen next | 93% | 84% | 88% |
| Next steps within 2 days | 93% | 93% | 89% |
| Good experience of contacting | 81% | 73% | 78% |
| The appointment | |||
| Offered a choice of time or day | 59% | 57% | 73% |
| Waiting time was about right | 76% | 69% | 74% |
| Remote appointment | 18% | 26% | 16% |
| The doctor or nurse | |||
| Good at listening | 85% | 87% | 87% |
| Treated with care and concern | 86% | 86% | 83% |
| Considered mental wellbeing | 72% | 75% | 72% |
| Had all the information needed | 91% | 92% | 94% |
| Confidence and trust | 91% | 93% | 91% |
| Involved in decisions | 88% | 92% | 86% |
| Needs were met | 90% | 90% | 91% |
| Overall | |||
| Overall experience good | 82% | 77% | 82% |
| Living with a long-term condition | |||
| Confident managing conditions | 81% | 79% | 84% |
| Supported by local services | 65% | 70% | 82% |
| Discussed managing condition | 45% | 43% | 39% |
| Agreed a care plan | 49% | 46% | 36% |
Green means at least 2 points better than England, red at least 2 points worse. With about 98 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 29 January 2026. Bank holidays may differ.
- Address
- Wootton Vale Hlth Liv Centre, Fields Road, Wootton, Bedford, MK43 9JJ
- Phone
- 01234 762500
- Website
- www.woottonvale.co.uk
- Online
- Book, order repeat prescriptions and see records in the NHS App
- Works with
- Caritas Medical PCN (a group of local surgeries that share services)
- NHS code
- Y00560 · NHS profile
Access and facilities
- Disabled parking
- Disabled toilet
- Induction loop
- Signing service
- Step-free access
- Wheelchair access
- Baby changing facility
- 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
Good
overall, from the inspection published 3 November 2016
This rating is 9 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 | 10.9% | 15.2% |
| Diabetes | 6.8% | 7.9% |
| Asthma | 6.7% | 6.6% |
| COPD | 1.1% | 1.9% |
| Coronary heart disease | 1.6% | 3.0% |
| Depression | 14.8% | 14.3% |
| Obesity | 13.0% | 13.9% |
| Smoking | 10.7% | 13.5% |
Health checks done
| Check | Here | England |
|---|---|---|
| Cervical screening, women 25-49 | 77% | 67% |
| Cervical screening, women 50-64 | 78% | 75% |
| Blood pressure controlled (hypertension, under 80) | 59% | 68% |
| Blood pressure checked in last 5 years (45+) | 85% | 87% |
| Diabetes: blood pressure on target | 71% | 75% |
| Diabetes: blood sugar (HbA1c) on target | 62% | 57% |
| Diabetes: annual foot check | 84% | 78% |
| Asthma: annual review | 80% | 66% |
Other surgeries nearby
| Surgery | Distance | Score | Easy by phone | Rated good | New patients |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Vale Medical Practicethis surgery | – | 62 | 65% | 82% | Yes |
| King Street SurgeryBedford, MK42 8QD | 2.2 miles | 29 | 38% | 75% | Yes |
| Marston Forest HealthcareBedford, MK43 0LA | 2.2 miles | 24 | 53% | 65% | Yes |
| Queens Park Health CentreBedford, MK40 4HR | 3.1 miles | 30 | 52% | 64% | Yes |
| Cauldwell Medical CentreBedford, MK42 9DJ | 3.4 miles | 2 | 31% | 59% | – |
| Ashburnham Road SurgeryBedford, MK40 1DS | 3.6 miles | 76 | 80% | 82% | Yes |
| London Road Health CentreBedford, MK42 0NT | 3.7 miles | 26 | 46% | 76% | Yes |
| Linden Road SurgeryBedford, MK40 2DQ | 4.0 miles | 61 | 71% | 87% | Yes |
| The De Parys GroupBedford, MK40 2NT | 4.4 miles | 21 | 37% | 68% | Yes |
| Goldington Avenue SurgeryBedford, MK40 3DB | 4.6 miles | 24 | 45% | 71% | Yes |
Ashburnham Road Surgery is 3.6 miles away, scores 76 and is taking on new patients. You can usually join any surgery that covers your address.
Common questions
Is The Vale Medical Practice taking on new patients?
Yes. When we last checked its page on the NHS website (20 September 2026), The Vale Medical Practice was taking on new patients. You can register online through the NHS website or call the surgery on 01234 762500.
How do patients rate The Vale Medical Practice?
In the 2026 NHS GP Patient Survey, 82% of patients at The Vale Medical Practice said their overall experience was good. The England average is 77%. 65% found it easy to get through by phone (England 57%). Its GPScore is 62 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 Vale Medical Practice?
The Care Quality Commission, which inspects GP surgeries in England, rated The Vale Medical Practice as Good at its last published inspection (report published 3 November 2016).
What are the opening times of The Vale Medical Practice?
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 29 January 2026. Bank holidays may differ.
How do I contact The Vale Medical Practice?
Call 01234 762500 or visit its website, www.woottonvale.co.uk. You can also book and order repeat prescriptions in the NHS App. The address is Wootton Vale Hlth Liv Centre, Fields Road, Wootton, Bedford, MK43 9JJ.
How many patients are registered at The Vale Medical Practice?
Around 17,480 patients are registered (January 2025). The surgery is part of Caritas Medical PCN, a group of local surgeries that share staff and services, in the Central East 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.