GP surgery in County Durham

West Cornforth Medical Centre

Reading Street, West Cornforth, Ferryhill, DL17 9LH

Taking on new patientsInspection: Good2,754 patients

Scores 46 out of 100, average for a GP surgery in England. 72% of patients say their experience is good and 76% 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 46% of GP surgeries in England. 28th of 35 in County Durham Based on 116 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 47

  • Easy to get through on the phone76
  • Easy to contact online34
  • Good experience of getting in touch25
  • Did not wait too long for the appointment47

Quality of care 43

  • Patients rate the surgery as good27
  • Patients got what they needed39
  • Doctors and nurses listen27
  • Patients trust the staff49
  • Inspection rating (Good)50
  • Health checks and screening done92
  • Meets NHS clinical targets71
  • Children vaccinated on time86

What patients say

116 patients answered the 2026 NHS survey about this surgery.

76%

find the phone easy

well above the England average (57%)

72%

say their experience is good

below the England average (77%)

-11

change since last year

2025: 83% · 2026: 72%

Getting in touch

Contacted the surgery by phone72%
Had their call answered straight away12%
Gave up or got no answer5%
Knew what would happen next straight away75%

The appointment

Were seen the same day34%
Waited more than a week40%
Were seen face to face83%
Saw a GP (rather than a nurse or other staff)49%
All survey questions, compared with England
What patients saidThis surgeryEnglandLast year
Getting in touch
Easy to get through by phone 76% 57% 78%
Easy to contact via website 51% 58% 79%
Easy to contact via NHS App 52% 54% 82%
Reception staff helpful 82% 85% 92%
Seeing the same person
Has a preferred clinician 21% 31% 26%
Sees preferred clinician 41% 42% 50%
What happened when they got in touch
Knew what would happen next 84% 84% 83%
Next steps within 2 days 97% 93% 95%
Good experience of contacting 66% 73% 85%
The appointment
Offered a choice of time or day 44% 57% 73%
Waiting time was about right 70% 69% 77%
Remote appointment 18% 26% 24%
The doctor or nurse
Good at listening 84% 87% 91%
Treated with care and concern 83% 86% 89%
Considered mental wellbeing 74% 75% 78%
Had all the information needed 89% 92% 95%
Confidence and trust 93% 93% 92%
Involved in decisions 89% 92% 94%
Needs were met 90% 90% 95%
Overall
Overall experience good 72% 77% 83%
Living with a long-term condition
Confident managing conditions 74% 79% 78%
Supported by local services 66% 70% 75%
Discussed managing condition 34% 43% 47%
Agreed a care plan 47% 46% 35%

Green means at least 2 points better than England, red at least 2 points worse. With about 116 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 6pm
Tuesday8am to 6pm
Wednesday7am to 6pm
Thursday8am to 6pm
Friday8am to 6pm
SaturdayClosed
SundayClosed

Confirmed by the surgery on 25 June 2021. Bank holidays may differ.

Address
Reading Street, West Cornforth, Ferryhill, DL17 9LH
Phone
01740 656578
Email
[email protected]
Website
www.intrahealth.co.uk/surgeries/west-cornforth-medical-centre
Online
Book, order repeat prescriptions and see records in the NHS App
Works with
Sedgefield North PCN (a group of local surgeries that share services)
NHS code
A83634 · NHS profile

Access and facilities

  • Disabled parking
  • Disabled toilet
  • Signing service
  • Step-free access
  • Wheelchair access
  • 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 17 August 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

2,754registered patients
Among the pooresthow well off the local area is
80.8years life expectancy locally (England 83.0)

Common health conditions

ConditionHereEngland
Hypertension23.8%15.2%
Diabetes13.8%7.9%
Asthma10.3%6.6%
COPD4.2%1.9%
Coronary heart disease5.3%3.0%
Depression17.4%14.3%
Obesity28.1%13.9%
Smoking17.6%13.5%

Health checks done

CheckHereEngland
Cervical screening, women 25-4982%67%
Cervical screening, women 50-6476%75%
Blood pressure controlled (hypertension, under 80)70%68%
Blood pressure checked in last 5 years (45+)95%87%
Diabetes: blood pressure on target77%75%
Diabetes: blood sugar (HbA1c) on target57%57%
Diabetes: annual foot check88%78%
Asthma: annual review89%66%
SurgeryDistanceScoreEasy by phoneRated goodNew patients
West Cornforth Medical Centrethis surgery4676%72%Yes
Coxhoe Medical PracticeDurham, DH6 4DH1.1 miles6067%80%Yes
Ferryhill and Chilton Medical PracticeFerryhill, DL17 8JJ1.6 miles750%57%Yes
Bowburn Medical CentreDurham, DH6 5AL2.3 miles6264%79%Yes
St Andrew's Medical PracticeSpennymoor, DL16 6QA3.0 miles8266%83%Yes
Bishops Close Medical PracticeSpennymoor, DL16 6ED3.1 miles6171%82%Yes
Skerne Medical GroupStockton-on-Tees, TS21 3BN4.5 miles2552%71%Yes
The Medical GroupDurham, DH7 8NH5.3 miles8376%86%Yes
Claypath & University Medical GroupDurham, DH1 1QW5.5 miles5076%74%Yes
Jubilee Medical GroupNewton Aycliffe, DL5 4SE5.6 miles3258%81%Yes

Coxhoe Medical Practice is 1.1 miles away, scores 60 and is taking on new patients. You can usually join any surgery that covers your address.

Common questions

Is West Cornforth Medical Centre taking on new patients?

Yes. When we last checked its page on the NHS website (20 September 2026), West Cornforth Medical Centre was taking on new patients. You can register online through the NHS website or call the surgery on 01740 656578.

How do patients rate West Cornforth Medical Centre?

In the 2026 NHS GP Patient Survey, 72% of patients at West Cornforth Medical Centre said their overall experience was good. The England average is 77%. 76% found it easy to get through by phone (England 57%). Its GPScore is 46 out of 100, grade C, which puts it in the middle 20% of GP surgeries in England.

What is the inspection rating for West Cornforth Medical Centre?

The Care Quality Commission, which inspects GP surgeries in England, rated West Cornforth Medical Centre as Good at its last published inspection (report published 17 August 2016).

What are the opening times of West Cornforth Medical Centre?

Reception is open Monday 8am to 6pm, Tuesday 8am to 6pm, Wednesday 7am to 6pm, Thursday 8am to 6pm, Friday 8am to 6pm, Saturday closed, Sunday closed. The surgery last confirmed these times on 25 June 2021. Bank holidays may differ.

How do I contact West Cornforth Medical Centre?

Call 01740 656578 or visit its website, www.intrahealth.co.uk/surgeries/west-cornforth-medical-centre. You can also book and order repeat prescriptions in the NHS App. The address is Reading Street, West Cornforth, Ferryhill, DL17 9LH.

How many patients are registered at West Cornforth Medical Centre?

Around 2,754 patients are registered (January 2025). The surgery is part of Sedgefield North 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.