RESULTS of a new patient experience survey have revealed the best and worst rated GP practices in St Helens.

To assess the performance of GP practices across the country, an NHS England survey asked patients to rate their experiences with their local healthcare provider.

The survey asked patients a range of questions such as the experience of making an appointment, the ease of getting through on the phone, how often their preferred GP is seen, and their confidence in their healthcare professional.

With dozens of health-related questions asked, the biggest indicator of patient satisfaction is how people rated their overall experience of their GP practice, from 'Very good' to 'Very poor'.

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Across St Helens, the survery showed that Kenneth MacRae Medical Centre in Rainford received the highest number of patients who rated it as good, with 91 per cent.

Kenneth MacRae came out on top due to its high ratings in the confidence of healthcare professionals, the ease of getting through on the phone, and the practice's helpful receptionists.

Rainford Health Centre and Longholme Health Centre received the second and third highest ratings in terms of overall satisfaction.

On the other end of the scale, Billinge Medical Practice received the lowest number of patients who rated it as good, with 31 percent.

83 percent of patients stated that they were confident in their healthcare professional at the Recreation Drive practice, but only 20 percent were satisfied with the appointments they were offered.

Just 12 percent of Billinge Medical Practice patients recorded that it was easy to get through on the phone, which was a common complaint of patients at other practices.

Overall experience of GP practices in St Helens (where overall experience was rated as good):

  • Atlas Medical Practice - 53.3%
  • Berrymead Family Medical Centre - 77.4%
  • Bethany Medical Centre - 80.2%
  • Billinge Medical Practice - 30.8%
  • The Bowery Medical Centre - 76.1%
  • Central Surgery - 76.1%
  • The Crossroads Surgery - 82.8%
  • Eccleston Medical Centre - 71%
  • Four Acre Health Centre - 44.4%
  • Garswood Surgery - 88.6%
  • Hall Street Medical Centre - 83.6%
  • Haydock Medical Centre - 63.21%
  • Kenneth MacRae Medical Centre - 91.2%
  • Lingholme Health Centre - 90.6%
  • Longton Medical Centre - 72.7%
  • Marshalls Cross Medical Centre - 63.3%
  • Mill Street Medical Centre - 71.4%
  • Newton Community Hospital Practice - 85.4%
  • Newton Medical Centre - 42.8%
  • Newholme Surgery - 82.6%
  • Ormskirk House Surgery - 86.7%
  • Parkfield Surgery - 87.7%
  • Patterdale Lodge - 54.3%
  • Phoenix Medical Practice - 68.5%
  • Dr Rahil's Surgery - 89.8%
  • Rainbow Medical Centre - 65.1%
  • Rainford Health Centre - 90.7%
  • Rainhill Village Surgery - 83.6%
  • The Spinney Medical Centre - 71.9%
  • Vista Road surgery - 64.7%
  • Windermere Medical Centre - 84.4%