GP surgery in North Hertfordshire
Whitwell Surgery
60 High Street, Whitwell, Hitchin, SG4 8AG
Scores 12 out of 100, poor for a GP surgery in England. 51% of patients say their experience is good and 61% find it easy to get through on the phone (England: 77% and 57%). Inspectors rated it Good in 2024. 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 18
- Easy to get through on the phone48
- Easy to contact online14
- Good experience of getting in touch8
- Did not wait too long for the appointment18
Quality of care 10
- Patients rate the surgery as good2
- Patients got what they needed8
- Doctors and nurses listen1
- Patients trust the staff2
- Inspection rating (Good)50
- Health checks and screening done47
- Meets NHS clinical targets86
- Children vaccinated on time99
What patients say
104 patients answered the 2026 NHS survey about this surgery.
61%
find the phone easy
above the England average (57%)
51%
say their experience is good
well below the England average (77%)
-4
change since last year
2025: 56% · 2026: 51%
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 | 61% | 57% | 42% |
| Easy to contact via website | 40% | 58% | 37% |
| Easy to contact via NHS App | 57% | 54% | 21% |
| Reception staff helpful | 65% | 85% | 56% |
| Seeing the same person | |||
| Has a preferred clinician | 12% | 31% | 24% |
| Sees preferred clinician | 42% | 42% | 17% |
| What happened when they got in touch | |||
| Knew what would happen next | 80% | 84% | 80% |
| Next steps within 2 days | 92% | 93% | 92% |
| Good experience of contacting | 56% | 73% | 51% |
| The appointment | |||
| Offered a choice of time or day | 51% | 57% | 39% |
| Waiting time was about right | 59% | 69% | 43% |
| Remote appointment | 20% | 26% | 24% |
| The doctor or nurse | |||
| Good at listening | 67% | 87% | 80% |
| Treated with care and concern | 69% | 86% | 77% |
| Considered mental wellbeing | 50% | 75% | 55% |
| Had all the information needed | 83% | 92% | 81% |
| Confidence and trust | 81% | 93% | 81% |
| Involved in decisions | 84% | 92% | 82% |
| Needs were met | 82% | 90% | 84% |
| Overall | |||
| Overall experience good | 51% | 77% | 56% |
| Living with a long-term condition | |||
| Confident managing conditions | 88% | 79% | 72% |
| Supported by local services | 68% | 70% | 62% |
| Discussed managing condition | 21% | 43% | 29% |
| Agreed a care plan | 27% | 46% | 27% |
Green means at least 2 points better than England, red at least 2 points worse. With about 104 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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Opening times and contact
| Monday | 8:30am to 1pm 2pm to 6pm |
| Tuesday | 8:30am to 1pm 2pm to 6pm |
| Wednesday | 8:30am to 1pm 2pm to 6pm |
| Thursday | 8:30am to 1pm 2pm to 6pm |
| Friday | 8:30am to 1pm 2pm to 6pm |
| Saturday | Closed |
| Sunday | Closed |
Confirmed by the surgery on 21 October 2022. Bank holidays may differ.
- Address
- 60 High Street, Whitwell, Hitchin, SG4 8AG
- Phone
- 01438 871398
- [email protected]
- Online
- Book, order repeat prescriptions and see records in the NHS App
- Works with
- Hitchin and Whitwell PCN (a group of local surgeries that share services)
- NHS code
- E82626 · NHS profile
Access and facilities
- Disabled parking
- 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
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 | 17.5% | 15.2% |
| Diabetes | 5.6% | 7.9% |
| Asthma | 7.1% | 6.6% |
| COPD | 2.0% | 1.9% |
| Coronary heart disease | 2.8% | 3.0% |
| Depression | 11.9% | 14.3% |
| Obesity | 6.6% | 13.9% |
| Smoking | 11.4% | 13.5% |
Health checks done
| Check | Here | England |
|---|---|---|
| Cervical screening, women 25-49 | 78% | 67% |
| Cervical screening, women 50-64 | 79% | 75% |
| Blood pressure controlled (hypertension, under 80) | 61% | 68% |
| Blood pressure checked in last 5 years (45+) | 87% | 87% |
| Diabetes: blood pressure on target | 72% | 75% |
| Diabetes: blood sugar (HbA1c) on target | 61% | 57% |
| Diabetes: annual foot check | 69% | 78% |
| Asthma: annual review | 49% | 66% |
Other surgeries nearby
| Surgery | Distance | Score | Easy by phone | Rated good | New patients |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Whitwell Surgerythis surgery | – | 12 | 61% | 51% | Yes |
| The Symonds Green Health CentreStevenage, SG1 2JW | 3.5 miles | 93 | 86% | 93% | Yes |
| King George & Manor House SurgeriesStevenage, SG1 3HT | 3.8 miles | 4 | 34% | 62% | Yes |
| Larkside PracticeLuton, LU2 9SB | 4.0 miles | 49 | 48% | 81% | Yes |
| Stanmore Medical GroupStevenage, SG1 3QA | 4.1 miles | 17 | 41% | 65% | Yes |
| Bridge Cottage SurgeryWelwyn, AL6 9EF | 4.2 miles | 30 | 59% | 69% | Yes |
| Knebworth & Marymead PracticeKnebworth, SG3 6ER | 4.3 miles | 6 | 29% | 54% | Yes |
| Bedwell Medical CentreStevenage, SG1 1LQ | 4.5 miles | 25 | 37% | 71% | Yes |
| Shephall Health CentreStevenage, SG2 9QZ | 4.9 miles | 53 | 49% | 79% | Yes |
| Elms Medical PracticeHarpenden, AL5 4QA | 5.0 miles | 49 | 40% | 78% | Yes |
The Symonds Green Health Centre is 3.5 miles away, scores 93 and is taking on new patients. You can usually join any surgery that covers your address.
Common questions
Is Whitwell Surgery taking on new patients?
Yes. When we last checked its page on the NHS website (20 September 2026), Whitwell Surgery was taking on new patients. You can register online through the NHS website or call the surgery on 01438 871398.
How do patients rate Whitwell Surgery?
In the 2026 NHS GP Patient Survey, 51% of patients at Whitwell Surgery said their overall experience was good. The England average is 77%. 61% found it easy to get through by phone (England 57%). Its GPScore is 12 out of 100, grade E, which puts it in the bottom 20% of GP surgeries in England.
What is the inspection rating for Whitwell Surgery?
The Care Quality Commission, which inspects GP surgeries in England, rated Whitwell Surgery as Good at its last published inspection (report published 11 September 2024).
What are the opening times of Whitwell Surgery?
Reception is open Monday 8:30am to 1pm 2pm to 6pm, Tuesday 8:30am to 1pm 2pm to 6pm, Wednesday 8:30am to 1pm 2pm to 6pm, Thursday 8:30am to 1pm 2pm to 6pm, Friday 8:30am to 1pm 2pm to 6pm, Saturday closed, Sunday closed. The surgery last confirmed these times on 21 October 2022. Bank holidays may differ.
How do I contact Whitwell Surgery?
Call 01438 871398. You can also book and order repeat prescriptions in the NHS App. The address is 60 High Street, Whitwell, Hitchin, SG4 8AG.
How many patients are registered at Whitwell Surgery?
Around 2,901 patients are registered (January 2025). The surgery is part of Hitchin and Whitwell PCN, a group of local surgeries that share staff and services, in the Central East 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.