GP surgery in Breckland
Watton Medical Practice
24 Gregor Shanks Way, Watton, Thetford, IP25 6FA
Scores 18 out of 100, poor for a GP surgery in England. 63% of patients say their experience is good and 40% 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 12
- Easy to get through on the phone13
- Easy to contact online40
- Good experience of getting in touch8
- Did not wait too long for the appointment22
Quality of care 31
- Patients rate the surgery as good9
- Patients got what they needed43
- Doctors and nurses listen48
- Patients trust the staff40
- Inspection rating (Good)50
- Health checks and screening done69
- Meets NHS clinical targets68
- Children vaccinated on time55
What patients say
106 patients answered the 2026 NHS survey about this surgery.
40%
find the phone easy
well below the England average (57%)
63%
say their experience is good
well below the England average (77%)
-1
change since last year
2025: 64% · 2026: 63%
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 | 40% | 57% | 32% |
| Easy to contact via website | 54% | 58% | 59% |
| Easy to contact via NHS App | 35% | 54% | 31% |
| Reception staff helpful | 76% | 85% | 73% |
| Seeing the same person | |||
| Has a preferred clinician | 17% | 31% | 23% |
| Sees preferred clinician | 12% | 42% | 15% |
| What happened when they got in touch | |||
| Knew what would happen next | 77% | 84% | 79% |
| Next steps within 2 days | 93% | 93% | 93% |
| Good experience of contacting | 55% | 73% | 58% |
| The appointment | |||
| Offered a choice of time or day | 28% | 57% | 29% |
| Waiting time was about right | 61% | 69% | 68% |
| Remote appointment | 22% | 26% | 29% |
| The doctor or nurse | |||
| Good at listening | 88% | 87% | 80% |
| Treated with care and concern | 84% | 86% | 77% |
| Considered mental wellbeing | 76% | 75% | 70% |
| Had all the information needed | 90% | 92% | 86% |
| Confidence and trust | 92% | 93% | 88% |
| Involved in decisions | 90% | 92% | 86% |
| Needs were met | 90% | 90% | 81% |
| Overall | |||
| Overall experience good | 63% | 77% | 64% |
| Living with a long-term condition | |||
| Confident managing conditions | 73% | 79% | 78% |
| Supported by local services | 83% | 70% | 60% |
| Discussed managing condition | 32% | 43% | 25% |
| Agreed a care plan | 48% | 46% | 36% |
Green means at least 2 points better than England, red at least 2 points worse. With about 106 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 1pm 2:30pm 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 28 October 2025. Bank holidays may differ.
- Address
- 24 Gregor Shanks Way, Watton, Thetford, IP25 6FA
- Phone
- 01953 881247
- Website
- www.wattonmedicalpractice.co.uk
- Online
- Book, order repeat prescriptions and see records in the NHS App
- Works with
- Breckland Surgeries PCN (a group of local surgeries that share services)
- NHS code
- D82063 · NHS profile
Access and facilities
- Accessible toilets
- Audio-descriptive for appointment announcements
- Baby-changing facilities
- Bus stop nearby
- Cycle parking
- Disability awareness and equality training for staff
- Disabled car parking
- Free NHS WiFi
- Free on-site car parking
- Hearing loop or induction loop: helps to improve sound for hearing aid users
- Off-site car parking nearby
- Sign language interpreter available in-person
- Sign language interpreter available online
- Step-free access at entrances and exits
Pins show each surgery's score. Get directions
Inspection rating
By the Care Quality Commission, the NHS regulator
Good
overall, from the inspection published 16 April 2018
This rating is 8 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 | 20.9% | 15.2% |
| Diabetes | 10.4% | 7.9% |
| Asthma | 6.9% | 6.6% |
| COPD | 2.4% | 1.9% |
| Coronary heart disease | 3.8% | 3.0% |
| Depression | 14.4% | 14.3% |
| Obesity | 16.6% | 13.9% |
| Smoking | 17.9% | 13.5% |
Health checks done
| Check | Here | England |
|---|---|---|
| Cervical screening, women 25-49 | 64% | 67% |
| Cervical screening, women 50-64 | 69% | 75% |
| Blood pressure controlled (hypertension, under 80) | 73% | 68% |
| Blood pressure checked in last 5 years (45+) | 88% | 87% |
| Diabetes: blood pressure on target | 75% | 75% |
| Diabetes: blood sugar (HbA1c) on target | 62% | 57% |
| Diabetes: annual foot check | 86% | 78% |
| Asthma: annual review | 85% | 66% |
Other surgeries nearby
| Surgery | Distance | Score | Easy by phone | Rated good | New patients |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Watton Medical Practicethis surgery | – | 18 | 40% | 63% | Yes |
| Shipdham SurgeryThetford, IP25 7LA | 4.9 miles | 96 | 93% | 93% | Yes |
| Hingham SurgeryNorwich, NR9 4JB | 6.8 miles | 100 | 99% | 99% | Yes |
| Campingland SurgerySwaffham, PE37 7RD | 7.7 miles | 42 | 53% | 79% | Yes |
| Manor Farm Medical CentreSwaffham, PE37 7QN | 7.9 miles | 23 | 42% | 75% | Yes |
| Plowright Medical CentreSwaffham, PE37 7HJ | 8.3 miles | 79 | 90% | 88% | Yes |
| Attleborough SurgeryAttleborough, NR17 2AS | 9.0 miles | 12 | 30% | 62% | Yes |
| Orchard SurgeryDereham, NR19 1AE | 9.0 miles | 6 | 18% | 52% | Yes |
| Theatre Royal SurgeryDereham, NR19 2EN | 9.2 miles | 79 | 65% | 86% | Yes |
| E Harling & Kenninghall Medical PracticeNorwich, NR16 2AD | 10.1 miles | 0 | 17% | 54% | Yes |
Shipdham Surgery is 4.9 miles away, scores 96 and is taking on new patients. You can usually join any surgery that covers your address.
Common questions
Is Watton Medical Practice taking on new patients?
Yes. When we last checked its page on the NHS website (20 September 2026), Watton Medical Practice was taking on new patients. You can register online through the NHS website or call the surgery on 01953 881247.
How do patients rate Watton Medical Practice?
In the 2026 NHS GP Patient Survey, 63% of patients at Watton Medical Practice said their overall experience was good. The England average is 77%. 40% found it easy to get through by phone (England 57%). Its GPScore is 18 out of 100, grade E, which puts it in the bottom 20% of GP surgeries in England.
What is the inspection rating for Watton Medical Practice?
The Care Quality Commission, which inspects GP surgeries in England, rated Watton Medical Practice as Good at its last published inspection (report published 16 April 2018).
What are the opening times of Watton Medical Practice?
Reception is open Monday 8am to 6:30pm, Tuesday 8am to 1pm 2:30pm 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 28 October 2025. Bank holidays may differ.
How do I contact Watton Medical Practice?
Call 01953 881247 or visit its website, www.wattonmedicalpractice.co.uk. You can also book and order repeat prescriptions in the NHS App. The address is 24 Gregor Shanks Way, Watton, Thetford, IP25 6FA.
How many patients are registered at Watton Medical Practice?
Around 14,142 patients are registered (January 2025). The surgery is part of Breckland Surgeries 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.