Epping Forest and Harlow's GPs ranked in 2021 patient survey

The 2021 GP surgery Survey ratings have been released after 9,580 questionnaires were sent out to residents – 41 per cent of which were completed.

The GP Patient Survey measures patients’ experiences across a range of topics, including making an appointment, access to online services and out-of-hours services.

Old Harlow Health Centre was the second highest rated surgery in the West Essex NHS Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) where 97 per cent of patients described their overall experience as ‘good’ – well above the national average of 83 per cent.

Palmerston Road Surgery in Buckhurst Hill also made the top five in West Essex CCG which serves Epping Forest, Harlow and Uttlesford.

Ninety-five per cent of patients at the surgery described their experience as ‘good’.

Overall, ten surgeries across the CCG were rated over 90 per cent including Market Square Surgery in Waltham Abbey and Kings Medical Centre in Buckhurst Hill (both 92 per cent).

How was your GP rated?

At the other end of the scale, the lowest rated practice in the CCG was Kings Langley Medical Practice in Harlow where just 61 per cent of patients rated their experience as ‘good’.

The Limes Medical Centre in Waltham Abbey was also rated poorly by patients with just 63 per cent rating it good.

In terms of getting through to a staff member on the phone, which has become of even more importance due to the coronavirus pandemic, Lister Medical Centre in Harlow was rated the worst in the CCG, with just 18 per cent of patients saying it was easy to call the GP.

Palmerston Road Surgery was near the top of the list, with 88 per cent of patients saying they found it easy to contact the surgery by phone.