GP surgery in Chester-le-Street
Villages Medical Group
21 Gardiner Crescent, Pelton Fell, Chester Le Street, DH2 2NJ
Scores 77 out of 100, good for a GP surgery in England. 83% of patients say their experience is good and 81% find it easy to get through on the phone (England: 77% and 57%). Inspectors rated it Good 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 89
- Easy to get through on the phone84
- Easy to contact online44
- Good experience of getting in touch80
- Did not wait too long for the appointment98
Quality of care 56
- Patients rate the surgery as good65
- Patients got what they needed29
- Doctors and nurses listen78
- Patients trust the staff60
- Inspection rating (Good)50
- Health checks and screening done39
- Meets NHS clinical targets19
- Children vaccinated on time66
What patients say
73 patients answered the 2026 NHS survey about this surgery.
81%
find the phone easy
well above the England average (57%)
83%
say their experience is good
above the England average (77%)
-1
change since last year
2025: 85% · 2026: 83%
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 | 81% | 57% | 81% |
| Easy to contact via website | 56% | 58% | 65% |
| Easy to contact via NHS App | 85% | 54% | 79% |
| Reception staff helpful | 90% | 85% | 91% |
| Seeing the same person | |||
| Has a preferred clinician | 36% | 31% | 45% |
| Sees preferred clinician | 81% | 42% | 49% |
| What happened when they got in touch | |||
| Knew what would happen next | 86% | 84% | 84% |
| Next steps within 2 days | 97% | 93% | 99% |
| Good experience of contacting | 86% | 73% | 82% |
| The appointment | |||
| Offered a choice of time or day | 77% | 57% | 63% |
| Waiting time was about right | 95% | 69% | 76% |
| Remote appointment | 27% | 26% | 30% |
| The doctor or nurse | |||
| Good at listening | 93% | 87% | 88% |
| Treated with care and concern | 86% | 86% | 91% |
| Considered mental wellbeing | 87% | 75% | 85% |
| Had all the information needed | 93% | 92% | 96% |
| Confidence and trust | 95% | 93% | 94% |
| Involved in decisions | 97% | 92% | 90% |
| Needs were met | 88% | 90% | 92% |
| Overall | |||
| Overall experience good | 83% | 77% | 85% |
| Living with a long-term condition | |||
| Confident managing conditions | 75% | 79% | 80% |
| Supported by local services | 87% | 70% | 78% |
| Discussed managing condition | 44% | 43% | 49% |
| Agreed a care plan | 68% | 46% | 54% |
Green means at least 2 points better than England, red at least 2 points worse. With about 73 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
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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 2 July 2026. Bank holidays may differ.
- Address
- 21 Gardiner Crescent, Pelton Fell, Chester Le Street, DH2 2NJ
- Phone
- 0191 387 3558
- Online
- Book, order repeat prescriptions and see records in the NHS App
- Works with
- Chester Le Street PCN (a group of local surgeries that share services)
- NHS code
- A83637 · NHS profile
Branch surgeries
Run by this practice from another building. Patients register with the practice, not the branch.
- Craghead Medical Centre
- Craghead, Stanley, DH9 6AN
- Pelton
- The Lavender Centre, Pelton Lane, Pelton, Chester Le Street, DH2 1HS · 0191 3700598
Access and facilities
- Disabled toilet
- Induction loop
- Step-free access
- Wheelchair access
- Baby changing facility
- Baby changing facility
- Car parking
Pins show each surgery's score. Get directions
Inspection rating
By the Care Quality Commission, the NHS regulator
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 | 21.7% | 15.2% |
| Diabetes | 11.3% | 7.9% |
| Asthma | 8.1% | 6.6% |
| COPD | 4.2% | 1.9% |
| Coronary heart disease | 4.8% | 3.0% |
| Depression | 12.4% | 14.3% |
| Obesity | 24.7% | 13.9% |
| Smoking | 16.1% | 13.5% |
Health checks done
| Check | Here | England |
|---|---|---|
| Cervical screening, women 25-49 | 71% | 67% |
| Cervical screening, women 50-64 | 70% | 75% |
| Blood pressure controlled (hypertension, under 80) | 68% | 68% |
| Blood pressure checked in last 5 years (45+) | 90% | 87% |
| Diabetes: blood pressure on target | 74% | 75% |
| Diabetes: blood sugar (HbA1c) on target | 56% | 57% |
| Diabetes: annual foot check | 83% | 78% |
| Asthma: annual review | 60% | 66% |
Other surgeries nearby
| Surgery | Distance | Score | Easy by phone | Rated good | New patients |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Villages Medical Groupthis surgery | – | 77 | 81% | 83% | Yes |
| Cestria Health CentreChester Le Street, DH2 3DJ | 0.7 miles | 35 | 44% | 68% | Yes |
| Pelton & Fellrose Medical GroupChester Le Street, DH2 1HS | 1.1 miles | 30 | 51% | 72% | Yes |
| Bridge End SurgeryChester Le Street, DH3 3SL | 1.5 miles | 43 | 35% | 78% | Yes |
| Middle Chare Medical GroupChester Le Street, DH3 3QD | 1.5 miles | 39 | 35% | 79% | Yes |
| Birtley Medical GroupChester Le Street, DH3 2QT | 2.7 miles | 20 | 48% | 67% | Yes |
| Sacriston Medical CentreDurham, DH7 6JW | 2.8 miles | 44 | 53% | 75% | Yes |
| Rickleton Medical CentreWashington, NE38 9EH | 2.9 miles | 92 | 90% | 94% | Yes |
| Great Lumley SurgeryChester Le Street, DH3 4LE | 3.0 miles | 98 | 87% | 93% | Yes |
| I J HealthcareWashington, NE38 9AB | 3.5 miles | 68 | 86% | 80% | Yes |
Rickleton Medical Centre is 2.9 miles away, scores 92 and is taking on new patients. You can usually join any surgery that covers your address.
Common questions
Is Villages Medical Group taking on new patients?
Yes. When we last checked its page on the NHS website (20 September 2026), Villages Medical Group was taking on new patients. You can register online through the NHS website or call the surgery on 0191 387 3558.
How do patients rate Villages Medical Group?
In the 2026 NHS GP Patient Survey, 83% of patients at Villages Medical Group said their overall experience was good. The England average is 77%. 81% found it easy to get through by phone (England 57%). Its GPScore is 77 out of 100, grade B, which puts it in the second-best 20% of GP surgeries in England.
What is the inspection rating for Villages Medical Group?
The Care Quality Commission, which inspects GP surgeries in England, rated Villages Medical Group as Good at its last published inspection (report published 22 June 2026).
What are the opening times of Villages Medical Group?
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 2 July 2026. Bank holidays may differ.
How do I contact Villages Medical Group?
Call 0191 387 3558. You can also book and order repeat prescriptions in the NHS App. The address is 21 Gardiner Crescent, Pelton Fell, Chester Le Street, DH2 2NJ.
Does Villages Medical Group have a branch surgery?
Yes. Villages Medical Group also runs Craghead Medical Centre (Craghead, Stanley, DH9 6AN) and Pelton (The Lavender Centre, Pelton Lane, Pelton, Chester Le Street, DH2 1HS). Patients register with the practice and can usually be seen at either site.
How many patients are registered at Villages Medical Group?
Around 4,143 patients are registered (January 2025). The surgery is part of Chester Le Street 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.