GP surgery in Whickham
Whickham Cottage Medical Centre
Rectory Lane, Whickham, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE16 4PD
Scores 53 out of 100, average for a GP surgery in England. 81% of patients say their experience is good and 67% 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 51
- Easy to get through on the phone60
- Easy to contact online34
- Good experience of getting in touch57
- Did not wait too long for the appointment42
Quality of care 54
- Patients rate the surgery as good57
- Patients got what they needed36
- Doctors and nurses listen40
- Patients trust the staff29
- Inspection rating (Good)50
- Health checks and screening done61
- Meets NHS clinical targets93
- Children vaccinated on time87
What patients say
98 patients answered the 2026 NHS survey about this surgery.
67%
find the phone easy
well above the England average (57%)
81%
say their experience is good
above the England average (77%)
-5
change since last year
2025: 86% · 2026: 81%
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 | 67% | 57% | 64% |
| Easy to contact via website | 51% | 58% | 63% |
| Easy to contact via NHS App | 63% | 54% | 55% |
| Reception staff helpful | 90% | 85% | 94% |
| Seeing the same person | |||
| Has a preferred clinician | 23% | 31% | 28% |
| Sees preferred clinician | 23% | 42% | 22% |
| What happened when they got in touch | |||
| Knew what would happen next | 98% | 84% | 94% |
| Next steps within 2 days | 93% | 93% | 97% |
| Good experience of contacting | 78% | 73% | 82% |
| The appointment | |||
| Offered a choice of time or day | 52% | 57% | 59% |
| Waiting time was about right | 69% | 69% | 74% |
| Remote appointment | 17% | 26% | 21% |
| The doctor or nurse | |||
| Good at listening | 86% | 87% | 89% |
| Treated with care and concern | 85% | 86% | 91% |
| Considered mental wellbeing | 69% | 75% | 67% |
| Had all the information needed | 93% | 92% | 97% |
| Confidence and trust | 91% | 93% | 97% |
| Involved in decisions | 86% | 92% | 90% |
| Needs were met | 89% | 90% | 90% |
| Overall | |||
| Overall experience good | 81% | 77% | 86% |
| Living with a long-term condition | |||
| Confident managing conditions | 77% | 79% | 84% |
| Supported by local services | 75% | 70% | 83% |
| Discussed managing condition | 52% | 43% | 37% |
| Agreed a care plan | 35% | 46% | 48% |
Green means at least 2 points better than England, red at least 2 points worse. With about 98 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 6pm |
| Tuesday | 8am to 7:30pm |
| Wednesday | 8am to 7:30pm |
| Thursday | 8am to 6pm |
| Friday | 7am to 6pm |
| Saturday | Closed |
| Sunday | Closed |
Confirmed by the surgery on 26 November 2024. Bank holidays may differ.
- Address
- Rectory Lane, Whickham, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE16 4PD
- Phone
- 0191 488 5555
- [email protected]
- Online
- Book, order repeat prescriptions and see records in the NHS App
- Works with
- Gateshead Inner West PCN (a group of local surgeries that share services)
- NHS code
- A85020 · NHS profile
Access and facilities
- Disabled parking
- Disabled toilet
- Step-free access
- Wheelchair access
- Pram park
- Car parking
- Cycle parking
- Disabled 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? | Outstanding |
| 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 | 21.6% | 15.2% |
| Diabetes | 8.0% | 7.9% |
| Asthma | 7.8% | 6.6% |
| COPD | 1.8% | 1.9% |
| Coronary heart disease | 3.8% | 3.0% |
| Depression | 12.3% | 14.3% |
| Obesity | 15.5% | 13.9% |
| Smoking | 7.8% | 13.5% |
Health checks done
| Check | Here | England |
|---|---|---|
| Cervical screening, women 25-49 | 80% | 67% |
| Cervical screening, women 50-64 | 82% | 75% |
| Blood pressure controlled (hypertension, under 80) | 68% | 68% |
| Blood pressure checked in last 5 years (45+) | 91% | 87% |
| Diabetes: blood pressure on target | 77% | 75% |
| Diabetes: blood sugar (HbA1c) on target | 61% | 57% |
| Diabetes: annual foot check | 81% | 78% |
| Asthma: annual review | 60% | 66% |
Other surgeries nearby
| Surgery | Distance | Score | Easy by phone | Rated good | New patients |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Whickham Cottage Medical Centrethis surgery | – | 53 | 67% | 81% | Yes |
| Sunniside SurgeryNewcastle Upon Tyne, NE16 5LP | 1.6 miles | 99 | 95% | 97% | Yes |
| Glenpark & Teams Medical ServicesGateshead, NE11 9FJ | 1.6 miles | 39 | 63% | 75% | Yes |
| Holmside Medical GroupNewcastle Upon Tyne, NE4 8QB | 1.8 miles | 36 | 56% | 63% | Yes |
| Chainbridge Medical PartnershipBlaydon-on-Tyne, NE21 5AE | 1.9 miles | 63 | 62% | 78% | Yes |
| Betts Avenue Medical GroupNewcastle Upon Tyne, NE15 6TQ | 1.9 miles | 60 | 77% | 81% | Yes |
| Oldwell SurgeryBlaydon-on-Tyne, NE21 4RD | 2.0 miles | 65 | 59% | 84% | Yes |
| Hollyhurst Medical CentreBlaydon-on-Tyne, NE21 4RD | 2.0 miles | 53 | 81% | 80% | Yes |
| Elswick Family PracticeNewcastle Upon Tyne, NE4 6SH | 2.2 miles | 17 | 52% | 68% | Yes |
| West Road Medical CentreNewcastle Upon Tyne, NE4 9QB | 2.3 miles | 34 | 56% | 74% | Yes |
Sunniside Surgery is 1.6 miles away, scores 99 and is taking on new patients. You can usually join any surgery that covers your address.
Common questions
Is Whickham Cottage Medical Centre taking on new patients?
Yes. When we last checked its page on the NHS website (20 September 2026), Whickham Cottage Medical Centre was taking on new patients. You can register online through the NHS website or call the surgery on 0191 488 5555.
How do patients rate Whickham Cottage Medical Centre?
In the 2026 NHS GP Patient Survey, 81% of patients at Whickham Cottage Medical Centre said their overall experience was good. The England average is 77%. 67% found it easy to get through by phone (England 57%). Its GPScore is 53 out of 100, grade C, which puts it in the middle 20% of GP surgeries in England.
What is the inspection rating for Whickham Cottage Medical Centre?
The Care Quality Commission, which inspects GP surgeries in England, rated Whickham Cottage Medical Centre as Good at its last published inspection (report published 28 July 2026).
What are the opening times of Whickham Cottage Medical Centre?
Reception is open Monday 8am to 6pm, Tuesday 8am to 7:30pm, Wednesday 8am to 7:30pm, Thursday 8am to 6pm, Friday 7am to 6pm, Saturday closed, Sunday closed. The surgery last confirmed these times on 26 November 2024. Bank holidays may differ.
How do I contact Whickham Cottage Medical Centre?
Call 0191 488 5555. You can also book and order repeat prescriptions in the NHS App. The address is Rectory Lane, Whickham, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE16 4PD.
How many patients are registered at Whickham Cottage Medical Centre?
Around 15,607 patients are registered (January 2025). The surgery is part of Gateshead Inner West 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.