GP surgery in Lewisham

Vale Medical Centre

195-197 Perry Vale, Forest Hill, London, SE23 2JF

Taking on new patientsInspection: Good16,799 patients

Scores 43 out of 100, average for a GP surgery in England. 79% of patients say their experience is good and 54% 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.

Average Scores higher than 43% of GP surgeries in England. 4th of 14 in Lewisham Based on 115 patient survey replies, the inspection rating and NHS records.

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 46

  • Easy to get through on the phone36
  • Easy to contact online83
  • Good experience of getting in touch68
  • Did not wait too long for the appointment23

Quality of care 40

  • Patients rate the surgery as good51
  • Patients got what they needed40
  • Doctors and nurses listen40
  • Patients trust the staff78
  • Inspection rating (Good)50
  • Health checks and screening done14
  • Meets NHS clinical targets13
  • Children vaccinated on time23

What patients say

115 patients answered the 2026 NHS survey about this surgery.

54%

find the phone easy

below the England average (57%)

79%

say their experience is good

above the England average (77%)

+1

change since last year

2025: 78% · 2026: 79%

Getting in touch

Contacted the surgery by phone22%
Had their call answered straight away2%
Gave up or got no answer2%
Knew what would happen next straight away41%

The appointment

Were seen the same day10%
Waited more than a week41%
Were seen face to face77%
Saw a GP (rather than a nurse or other staff)66%
All survey questions, compared with England
What patients saidThis surgeryEnglandLast year
Getting in touch
Easy to get through by phone 54% 57% 54%
Easy to contact via website 73% 58% 54%
Easy to contact via NHS App 59% 54% 43%
Reception staff helpful 85% 85% 86%
Seeing the same person
Has a preferred clinician 22% 31% 27%
Sees preferred clinician 39% 42% 47%
What happened when they got in touch
Knew what would happen next 85% 84% 85%
Next steps within 2 days 96% 93% 89%
Good experience of contacting 81% 73% 69%
The appointment
Offered a choice of time or day 50% 57% 46%
Waiting time was about right 61% 69% 64%
Remote appointment 23% 26% 15%
The doctor or nurse
Good at listening 86% 87% 86%
Treated with care and concern 85% 86% 82%
Considered mental wellbeing 76% 75% 76%
Had all the information needed 91% 92% 86%
Confidence and trust 97% 93% 91%
Involved in decisions 90% 92% 83%
Needs were met 90% 90% 83%
Overall
Overall experience good 79% 77% 78%
Living with a long-term condition
Confident managing conditions 82% 79% 71%
Supported by local services 72% 70% 59%
Discussed managing condition 44% 43% 37%
Agreed a care plan 44% 46% 38%

Green means at least 2 points better than England, red at least 2 points worse. With about 115 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.

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1 of 10Last time you needed a routine appointment, how long did you wait?

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Opening times and contact

Monday8am to 6:30pm
Tuesday8am to 6:30pm
Wednesday8am to 6:30pm
Thursday8am to 6:30pm
Friday8am to 6:30pm
SaturdayClosed
SundayClosed

Confirmed by the surgery on 13 July 2023. Bank holidays may differ.

Address
195-197 Perry Vale, Forest Hill, London, SE23 2JF
Phone
020 8291 7007
Email
[email protected]
Website
www.thevalemedicalcentre.co.uk
Online
Book, order repeat prescriptions and see records in the NHS App
Works with
Aplos Health PCN (a group of local surgeries that share services)
NHS code
G85696 · NHS profile

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
  • 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 28 July 2016

This rating is 10 years old. The CQC has not published a newer inspection.

Read the inspection report

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

16,799registered patients
Averagehow well off the local area is
83.6years life expectancy locally (England 83.0)

Common health conditions

ConditionHereEngland
Hypertension7.5%15.2%
Diabetes4.7%7.9%
Asthma5.3%6.6%
COPD0.7%1.9%
Coronary heart disease0.7%3.0%
Depression12.7%14.3%
Obesity12.2%13.9%
Smoking13.0%13.5%

Health checks done

CheckHereEngland
Cervical screening, women 25-4972%67%
Cervical screening, women 50-6477%75%
Blood pressure controlled (hypertension, under 80)50%68%
Blood pressure checked in last 5 years (45+)81%87%
Diabetes: blood pressure on target63%75%
Diabetes: blood sugar (HbA1c) on target49%57%
Diabetes: annual foot check73%78%
Asthma: annual review62%66%

Other surgeries nearby

All surgeries in Lewisham →

SurgeryDistanceScoreEasy by phoneRated goodNew patients
Vale Medical Centrethis surgery4354%79%Yes
Woolstone Medical CentreLondon, SE23 2SG0.4 miles9079%93%Yes
Sydenham Green Group PracticeLondon, SE26 4TH0.5 miles2043%72%Yes
Modality Lewisham (ML)London, SE23 1HU0.5 miles1841%72%Yes
One Care LewishamLondon, SE23 1RJ0.5 miles71%85%No
One Care LambethLondon, SE23 1RJ0.5 milesNo
Sel Special Allocation PracticeLondon, SE23 1RJ0.5 miles21%51%
Special Allocation Scheme (Nel)London, SE23 1RJ0.5 miles
Wells Park PracticeLondon, SE26 6JQ0.9 miles530%60%Yes
Novum Health PartnershipLondon, SE6 4JH1.5 miles2951%80%Yes

Woolstone Medical Centre is 0.4 miles away, scores 90 and is taking on new patients. You can usually join any surgery that covers your address.

Common questions

Is Vale Medical Centre taking on new patients?

Yes. When we last checked its page on the NHS website (20 September 2026), Vale Medical Centre was taking on new patients. You can register online through the NHS website or call the surgery on 020 8291 7007.

How do patients rate Vale Medical Centre?

In the 2026 NHS GP Patient Survey, 79% of patients at Vale Medical Centre said their overall experience was good. The England average is 77%. 54% found it easy to get through by phone (England 57%). Its GPScore is 43 out of 100, grade C, which puts it in the middle 20% of GP surgeries in England.

What is the inspection rating for Vale Medical Centre?

The Care Quality Commission, which inspects GP surgeries in England, rated Vale Medical Centre as Good at its last published inspection (report published 28 July 2016).

What are the opening times of Vale 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 13 July 2023. Bank holidays may differ.

How do I contact Vale Medical Centre?

Call 020 8291 7007 or visit its website, www.thevalemedicalcentre.co.uk. You can also book and order repeat prescriptions in the NHS App. The address is 195-197 Perry Vale, Forest Hill, London, SE23 2JF.

How many patients are registered at Vale Medical Centre?

Around 16,799 patients are registered (January 2025). The surgery is part of Aplos Health PCN, a group of local surgeries that share staff and services, in the South East London 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.