GP surgery in County Durham
The Weardale Practice
Dales Street, Stanhope, Bishop Auckland, DL13 2XD
Scores 40 out of 100, below average for a GP surgery in England. 85% of patients say their experience is good and 48% find it easy to get through on the phone (England: 77% and 57%). Inspectors rated it Good in 2017. 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 16
- Easy to get through on the phone24
- Easy to contact online42
- Good experience of getting in touch24
- Did not wait too long for the appointment8
Quality of care 75
- Patients rate the surgery as good69
- Patients got what they needed48
- Doctors and nurses listen63
- Patients trust the staff49
- Inspection rating (Good)50
- Health checks and screening done94
- Meets NHS clinical targets98
- Children vaccinated on time92
What patients say
98 patients answered the 2026 NHS survey about this surgery.
48%
find the phone easy
well below the England average (57%)
84%
say their experience is good
above the England average (77%)
+12
change since last year
2025: 73% · 2026: 85%
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 | 48% | 57% | 48% |
| Easy to contact via website | 55% | 58% | 40% |
| Easy to contact via NHS App | 30% | 54% | 37% |
| Reception staff helpful | 82% | 85% | 85% |
| Seeing the same person | |||
| Has a preferred clinician | 27% | 31% | 25% |
| Sees preferred clinician | 39% | 42% | 32% |
| What happened when they got in touch | |||
| Knew what would happen next | 76% | 84% | 82% |
| Next steps within 2 days | 99% | 93% | 92% |
| Good experience of contacting | 66% | 73% | 68% |
| The appointment | |||
| Offered a choice of time or day | 61% | 57% | 49% |
| Waiting time was about right | 52% | 69% | 52% |
| Remote appointment | 8% | 26% | 10% |
| The doctor or nurse | |||
| Good at listening | 90% | 87% | 90% |
| Treated with care and concern | 86% | 86% | 92% |
| Considered mental wellbeing | 79% | 75% | 76% |
| Had all the information needed | 97% | 92% | 95% |
| Confidence and trust | 93% | 93% | 97% |
| Involved in decisions | 94% | 92% | 93% |
| Needs were met | 91% | 90% | 93% |
| Overall | |||
| Overall experience good | 84% | 77% | 73% |
| Living with a long-term condition | |||
| Confident managing conditions | 68% | 79% | 78% |
| Supported by local services | 62% | 70% | 67% |
| Discussed managing condition | 45% | 43% | 37% |
| Agreed a care plan | 45% | 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 6pm |
| Tuesday | 8am to 6pm |
| Wednesday | 8am to 6pm |
| Thursday | 8am to 6pm |
| Friday | 8am to 6pm |
| Saturday | Closed |
| Sunday | Closed |
Confirmed by the surgery on 13 November 2025. Bank holidays may differ.
- Address
- Dales Street, Stanhope, Bishop Auckland, DL13 2XD
- Phone
- 01388 528555
- [email protected]
- Online
- Book, order repeat prescriptions and see records in the NHS App
- Works with
- Wear Valley PCN (a group of local surgeries that share services)
- NHS code
- A83035 · NHS profile
Branch surgeries
Run by this practice from another building. Patients register with the practice, not the branch.
- St John's Chapel
- Hood Street, St John's Chapel, Bishop Auckland, DL13 1QW · 01388 537296
- Wolsingham Surgery
- Market Place, Wolsingham, Bishop Auckland, DL13 3AB · 01388 527691
Access and facilities
- Braille translation service
- Disabled parking
- Disabled toilet
- Induction loop
- Signing service
- Step-free access
- Text relay
- 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 6 April 2017
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? | Good |
| Is it well-led? | Good |
About the patients
NHS records for the people registered here
Common health conditions
| Condition | Here | England |
|---|---|---|
| Hypertension | 25.8% | 15.2% |
| Diabetes | 9.9% | 7.9% |
| Asthma | 8.5% | 6.6% |
| COPD | 3.4% | 1.9% |
| Coronary heart disease | 4.9% | 3.0% |
| Depression | 14.4% | 14.3% |
| Obesity | 19.3% | 13.9% |
| Smoking | 7.9% | 13.5% |
Health checks done
| Check | Here | England |
|---|---|---|
| Cervical screening, women 25-49 | 81% | 67% |
| Cervical screening, women 50-64 | 80% | 75% |
| Blood pressure controlled (hypertension, under 80) | 73% | 68% |
| Blood pressure checked in last 5 years (45+) | 91% | 87% |
| Diabetes: blood pressure on target | 78% | 75% |
| Diabetes: blood sugar (HbA1c) on target | 68% | 57% |
| Diabetes: annual foot check | 88% | 78% |
| Asthma: annual review | 81% | 66% |
Other surgeries nearby
| Surgery | Distance | Score | Easy by phone | Rated good | New patients |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Weardale Practicethis surgery | – | 40 | 48% | 85% | Yes |
| Old Forge SurgeryBarnard Castle, DL12 0QE | 9.0 miles | 92 | 86% | 90% | Yes |
| Consett Medical CentreConsett, DH8 5YA | 10.1 miles | 48 | 54% | 79% | Yes |
| North House SurgeryCrook, DL15 9HU | 10.4 miles | 32 | 44% | 75% | Yes |
| Queens Road SurgeryConsett, DH8 0BW | 10.5 miles | 90 | 90% | 95% | Yes |
| Pinfold Medical PracticeBishop Auckland, DL13 5NX | 10.6 miles | 92 | 87% | 91% | Yes |
| Leadgate SurgeryConsett, DH8 6DP | 11.1 miles | 50 | 75% | 68% | Yes |
| Lanchester Medical CentreDurham, DH7 0LP | 11.7 miles | 44 | 67% | 57% | Yes |
| Woodview Medical PracticeBishop Auckland, DL13 5AF | 12.2 miles | 100 | 98% | 95% | Yes |
| Willington Medical GroupCrook, DL15 0EQ | 12.5 miles | 69 | 71% | 87% | Yes |
Old Forge Surgery is 9.0 miles away, scores 92 and is taking on new patients. You can usually join any surgery that covers your address.
Common questions
Is The Weardale Practice taking on new patients?
Yes. When we last checked its page on the NHS website (20 September 2026), The Weardale Practice was taking on new patients. You can register online through the NHS website or call the surgery on 01388 528555.
How do patients rate The Weardale Practice?
In the 2026 NHS GP Patient Survey, 85% of patients at The Weardale Practice said their overall experience was good. The England average is 77%. 48% found it easy to get through by phone (England 57%). Its GPScore is 40 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 Weardale Practice?
The Care Quality Commission, which inspects GP surgeries in England, rated The Weardale Practice as Good at its last published inspection (report published 6 April 2017).
What are the opening times of The Weardale Practice?
Reception is open Monday 8am to 6pm, Tuesday 8am to 6pm, Wednesday 8am to 6pm, Thursday 8am to 6pm, Friday 8am to 6pm, Saturday closed, Sunday closed. The surgery last confirmed these times on 13 November 2025. Bank holidays may differ.
How do I contact The Weardale Practice?
Call 01388 528555. You can also book and order repeat prescriptions in the NHS App. The address is Dales Street, Stanhope, Bishop Auckland, DL13 2XD.
Does The Weardale Practice have a branch surgery?
Yes. The Weardale Practice also runs St John's Chapel (Hood Street, St John's Chapel, Bishop Auckland, DL13 1QW) and Wolsingham Surgery (Market Place, Wolsingham, Bishop Auckland, DL13 3AB). Patients register with the practice and can usually be seen at either site.
How many patients are registered at The Weardale Practice?
Around 7,188 patients are registered (January 2025). The surgery is part of Wear Valley PCN, a group of local surgeries that share staff and services, in the North East and North Cumbria 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.