Best and worst GP surgeries in Carlisle - as rated by patients

An NHS annual survey has revealed the most popular GP practices in and around the city according to the public.

The GP Patient Survey figures reveal how Carlisle's doctors' surgeries were rated between January and April 2022.

Brampton Medical Practice came top of the list, taking the highest marks for overall experience.

They were voted for having some of the most helpful receptionists and ranked highly for their patients having confidence and trust in healthcare professionals.

They also achieved 100 per cent in the 'needs were met at last appointment' category. 

Fusehill Medical Practice scored the lowest for overall experience at 29 per cent. 

Just 16 per cent of those surveyed said GPs were easy to access using the telephone, and 21 per cent said they had a positive experience getting an appointment.

All surgeries scored well when patients were asked if their needs were met at the last appointment as they all scored 83 per cent or higher.

Patient opinions sought

Residents were asked for their opinion on a variety of elements with practices including:

• booking appointments;
• waiting times;
• out-of-hours services;
• quality of care given;

Fusehill Medical Practice ranked quite low in each category

Results showed that 86 per cent of respondents at Longtown Medical Centre; 82 per cent at Seascale Health Centre; 68 per cent of those surveyed at Warwick Road Surgery; 82 per cent at M Spencer Street Surgery; 84 per cent of respondents at Eden Medical Group; 79 per cent at Warwick Square Medical Group Practice;  and 74 per cent at Carlisle Healthcare all said their ‘overall experience’ was good or very good.

Warwick Square Medical Group was rated the easiest surgery to get hold over the phone with 82 per cent of those surveyed saying the experience was ‘easy’ followed by Spencer Street Surgery at 77 per cent.

Other GPs in this category attained lower scores such as Fusehill. Carlisle Healthcare and Eden Medical practices achieved 38 per cent and 48 per cent respectively. 

There was much praise for the receptionists at Warren Square Medical Group Practice and Brampton Medical Practice with both scoring above 90 per cent on questions about staff helpfulness.

Warwick Square Group Practice ranked well in the middle of the field

The questionnaire asked if mental health needs were recognised and understood. Carlisle Healthcare received a score of 96 per cent.

Eden Medical Group and Brampton Medical Practice closely followed in the list, both achieving above 90 per cent.

Fusehill was at the bottom of the list receiving 54 per cent overall.

Another category asked if patients saw their preferred GP and most scores were low in this category. The highest was Warwick Road Surgery at 77 per cent. The other GPs all scored 50 per cent of less with Fusehill only achieving 2 per cent.

But perhaps these results show patients are not overly concerned about seeing a specific GP as the highest scorers overall, had some of the lower scores in this category.

When checking the latest reviews from a different location such as Google reviews, the scores appear reflective of these.

One user review of Fusehill said: "Today I have rang the surgery over 30 times started at 8am and eventually got through at 11.40am for an appointment for my daughter either in the surgery or a telephone appointment just to be told there isn’t any."

The user rated the practice one star.

Brampton Medical Practice appeared to be mostly 5 star reviews, with the odd lower ranking.

Results not a trend

The results do not seem to follow a specific trend in line with the most affluent/deprived areas of Carlisle.

For example, according to the Carlisle Deprivation Summary by Cumbria Intelligence Observatory, Morton is one of the most deprived areas in Carlisle, however the surgery closest to this area produced results consistently in the top three or four.

However, in contrast, Fusehill Medical Practice close to Botcherby ranked consistently low.

'Tangible feedback'

A spokesperson for North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board said: “We are always very interested in the results of the of the GP Patient Survey as it provides us with some tangible feedback and importantly highlights areas that require attention and further development.

“There is a mixed picture across the North Cumbria area in the patient survey this year with some the practices faring well across the categories and others unfortunately highlighting areas that need to be improved.

"Our focus is always very much on continuous improvement and there is a lot of work taking place within the collaboration of our Primary Care Networks (PCNs) who have shown incredible resilience and flexibility in dealing with the challenges and demands of the last few years.

"Primary Care Networks (PCNs) are GP practices working together and in North Cumbria they are part of Integrated Care Communities (ICCs) which bring together community, mental health, social care, pharmacy, hospital, third sector and voluntary services in their local areas.

Performing above the national average

“It’s encouraging to see our region (North East and North Cumbria) performing above the national average in some categories, but unfortunately in some of the results we have seen a drop in people’s satisfaction of their experience, in some areas, which we will be considered as we strive for improved patient experiences.

"We recognise it has been a particularly challenging time for practices, particularly with staffing and high demand.

"As a result we continue to look at innovative ways of working which includes the development of new specialist roles within primary care teams which in turn frees up the time of GPs and ensures patients get the timely access to care from other specialists.”

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