GP surgery in King's Lynn and West Norfolk
Watlington Medical Centre
Rowan Close, Watlington, King's Lynn, PE33 0TU
Scores 39 out of 100, below average for a GP surgery in England. 69% of patients say their experience is good and 57% find it easy to get through on the phone (England: 77% and 57%). Inspectors rated it Good in 2018. 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 43
- Easy to get through on the phone41
- Easy to contact online29
- Good experience of getting in touch24
- Did not wait too long for the appointment73
Quality of care 36
- Patients rate the surgery as good18
- Patients got what they needed52
- Doctors and nurses listen54
- Patients trust the staff23
- Inspection rating (Good)50
- Health checks and screening done66
- Meets NHS clinical targets63
- Children vaccinated on time59
What patients say
113 patients answered the 2026 NHS survey about this surgery.
57%
find the phone easy
about the England average (57%)
69%
say their experience is good
well below the England average (77%)
-12
change since last year
2025: 80% · 2026: 69%
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 | 57% | 57% | 69% |
| Easy to contact via website | 49% | 58% | 41% |
| Easy to contact via NHS App | 34% | 54% | 55% |
| Reception staff helpful | 89% | 85% | 90% |
| Seeing the same person | |||
| Has a preferred clinician | 24% | 31% | 30% |
| Sees preferred clinician | 45% | 42% | 29% |
| What happened when they got in touch | |||
| Knew what would happen next | 77% | 84% | 83% |
| Next steps within 2 days | 94% | 93% | 98% |
| Good experience of contacting | 66% | 73% | 71% |
| The appointment | |||
| Offered a choice of time or day | 67% | 57% | 57% |
| Waiting time was about right | 79% | 69% | 85% |
| Remote appointment | 18% | 26% | 24% |
| The doctor or nurse | |||
| Good at listening | 89% | 87% | 88% |
| Treated with care and concern | 92% | 86% | 92% |
| Considered mental wellbeing | 73% | 75% | 73% |
| Had all the information needed | 88% | 92% | 96% |
| Confidence and trust | 90% | 93% | 95% |
| Involved in decisions | 92% | 92% | 95% |
| Needs were met | 91% | 90% | 93% |
| Overall | |||
| Overall experience good | 69% | 77% | 80% |
| Living with a long-term condition | |||
| Confident managing conditions | 84% | 79% | 78% |
| Supported by local services | 69% | 70% | 64% |
| Discussed managing condition | 27% | 43% | 38% |
| Agreed a care plan | 36% | 46% | 42% |
Green means at least 2 points better than England, red at least 2 points worse. With about 113 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 | 8:30am to 6:30pm |
| Tuesday | 8:30am to 6:30pm |
| Wednesday | 8:30am to 6:30pm |
| Thursday | 8:30am to 6:30pm |
| Friday | 8:30am to 6:30pm |
| Saturday | Closed |
| Sunday | Closed |
Confirmed by the surgery on 28 December 2022. Bank holidays may differ.
- Address
- Rowan Close, Watlington, King's Lynn, PE33 0TU
- Phone
- 01553 810253
- Website
- www.watlingtonmedicalcentre.co.uk
- Online
- Book, order repeat prescriptions and see records in the NHS App
- Works with
- Fens & Brecks PCN (a group of local surgeries that share services)
- NHS code
- D82043 · NHS profile
Access and facilities
- Car parking
- Cycle 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 4 October 2018
This rating is 7 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 | 19.3% | 15.2% |
| Diabetes | 10.2% | 7.9% |
| Asthma | 6.7% | 6.6% |
| COPD | 2.2% | 1.9% |
| Coronary heart disease | 4.1% | 3.0% |
| Depression | 7.2% | 14.3% |
| Obesity | 12.8% | 13.9% |
| Smoking | 10.2% | 13.5% |
Health checks done
| Check | Here | England |
|---|---|---|
| Cervical screening, women 25-49 | 76% | 67% |
| Cervical screening, women 50-64 | 71% | 75% |
| Blood pressure controlled (hypertension, under 80) | 71% | 68% |
| Blood pressure checked in last 5 years (45+) | 91% | 87% |
| Diabetes: blood pressure on target | 80% | 75% |
| Diabetes: blood sugar (HbA1c) on target | 64% | 57% |
| Diabetes: annual foot check | 89% | 78% |
| Asthma: annual review | 75% | 66% |
Other surgeries nearby
| Surgery | Distance | Score | Easy by phone | Rated good | New patients |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Watlington Medical Centrethis surgery | – | 39 | 57% | 69% | Yes |
| The Hollies SurgeryDownham Market, PE38 9JE | 4.4 miles | 21 | 57% | 71% | Yes |
| Bridge Street SurgeryDownham Market, PE38 9DP | 4.5 miles | 50 | 40% | 78% | Yes |
| Howdale SurgeryDownham Market, PE38 9AF | 4.6 miles | 67 | 66% | 85% | Yes |
| St John's SurgeryWisbech, PE14 7RR | 5.5 miles | 96 | 95% | 94% | Yes |
| Southgates Surgical & Medical CentreKing's Lynn, PE30 5QX | 5.6 miles | 9 | 30% | 75% | Yes |
| Vida HealthcareKing's Lynn, PE30 4DY | 6.4 miles | 27 | 55% | 76% | Yes |
| Boughton SurgeryKing's Lynn, PE33 9AG | 7.3 miles | 62 | 79% | 79% | Yes |
| St Clements SurgeryKings Lynn, PE34 4LZ | 7.5 miles | 82 | 81% | 90% | Yes |
| St James Medical PracticeKing's Lynn, PE30 2FQ | 7.6 miles | 93 | 88% | 92% | Yes |
Bridge Street Surgery is 4.5 miles away, scores 50 and is taking on new patients. You can usually join any surgery that covers your address.
Common questions
Is Watlington Medical Centre taking on new patients?
Yes. When we last checked its page on the NHS website (20 September 2026), Watlington Medical Centre was taking on new patients. You can register online through the NHS website or call the surgery on 01553 810253.
How do patients rate Watlington Medical Centre?
In the 2026 NHS GP Patient Survey, 69% of patients at Watlington Medical Centre said their overall experience was good. The England average is 77%. 57% found it easy to get through by phone (England 57%). Its GPScore is 39 out of 100, grade D, which puts it in the second-worst 20% of GP surgeries in England.
What is the inspection rating for Watlington Medical Centre?
The Care Quality Commission, which inspects GP surgeries in England, rated Watlington Medical Centre as Good at its last published inspection (report published 4 October 2018).
What are the opening times of Watlington Medical Centre?
Reception is open Monday 8:30am to 6:30pm, Tuesday 8:30am to 6:30pm, Wednesday 8:30am to 6:30pm, Thursday 8:30am to 6:30pm, Friday 8:30am to 6:30pm, Saturday closed, Sunday closed. The surgery last confirmed these times on 28 December 2022. Bank holidays may differ.
How do I contact Watlington Medical Centre?
Call 01553 810253 or visit its website, www.watlingtonmedicalcentre.co.uk. You can also book and order repeat prescriptions in the NHS App. The address is Rowan Close, Watlington, King's Lynn, PE33 0TU.
How many patients are registered at Watlington Medical Centre?
Around 6,783 patients are registered (January 2025). The surgery is part of Fens & Brecks PCN, a group of local surgeries that share staff and services, in the Norfolk and Suffolk 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.