Colchester reacts to NHS GP Patient Survey results

The GP Patient Survey is a nationwide project and over 10,000 people across the Suffolk and North East Essex Integrated Care System, which includes practices in Colchester and the surrounding areas, have taken part in it.

One of the main featured questions in the survey was on your overall experience with your GP surgery, and many practices were ranked on how ‘good’ they are.

Colchester Medical Practice ranked the highest with 92 per cent, Mill Road Surgery was second at 90 per cent,  and The Ardleigh Surgery was third with 77 per cent.

Group - Castle Gardens Medical Centre which is part of Colchester Medical Practice (Image: Google Maps)

Location - Mill Road Surgery (Image: Matt Carter)

Lower down the list was GP practices like Tiptree Medical Centre with 57 per cent, and Ambrose Avenue Group Practice, which was the lowest, at 47 per cent.

The full table of results, which includes areas of North East Essex, outside of the Colchester patch, can be seen below.

Colchester resident, Debby Newman, agrees with Colchester Medical Practice’s result.

She said: “I 100 per cent agree.

“I'm with Colchester Medical Practice in Shrub End Road, I can’t fault them.

“They were amazing last year when I had some major health issues.

“Nurses are fantastic there too as are the reception staff.”

Practice - Highwoods Surgery which scored 76 per cent (Image: Newsquest)

Bluebell Surgery - the practice scored 60 per cent (Image: Newsquest)

Fellow Colchester resident, Peter Gauntlett, was delighted with Tollgate Health Centre’s result of 70 per cent.

He said: “It is good to see the Tollgate practice with 70 per cent despite some adverse comments over the year.

“Well done Tollgate.”

Reader, Carol Mary Burt said: "The best surgery is Rowhedge, a good old fashioned one where they know you by name, and are really helpful."

Colchester MP Pam Cox has shared her reaction to the survey.

She said: “Our GPs and their staff work very hard in challenging times and I thank them for all that they do. 

"But these survey results show that some Colchester GP practices clearly need to improve. 

"I’m very willing to work with them, the ICB and others to identify ways of doing that. 

MP - Pam Cox (Image: Credited)

"As your new MP, I’ll also bring our GPs’ needs to the attention of our new government.”

Prettygate ward councillor Sue Lissimore has commented on the Ambrose Avenue Group Practice’s ranking, and is aware the team are making improvements at the surgery.

“I had a meeting with the practice manager last year, they seemed to be making really good strides," she said. 

Low ranking - a Street View image of Ambrose Avenue Group Practice (Image: Google Maps)

Ward Councillor Sue Lissimore pictured in the middle with Roger Buston on the left, and Beverly Davies on the right

“Since then, they had a bad CQC inspection which meant they were asked to make improvements.

“I’m not quite sure how much they have been able to do since that inspection, certainly since I met them, they were taking on the issues raised.

“Some of the issues are easier to deal with than others, issues such as staff shortages as the NHS is having recruitment issues, it is very difficult to suddenly have new practice staff.

“I hope the practice takes the comments on board and makes improvements.”