The national GP Patient Survey has officially launched for 2026, inviting people across England to rate their local doctor's surgery. This annual questionnaire is a crucial tool for gathering patient feedback on the performance and accessibility of primary care services.
How the Survey Works and Why It Matters
The survey asks patients to evaluate their overall experience, focusing on several key areas. These include the quality of care received, the ease of getting through to the practice by phone or online, and the process of booking an appointment.
Participants are asked to provide an overall rating, choosing from 'very good', 'fairly good', 'fairly poor' or 'very poor'. This feedback is vital, as it can alert regulators like the Care Quality Commission (CQC) to potential issues that may require closer inspection and intervention.
The West Midlands' Lowest-Rated Practices in 2025
Based on the results from the 2025 survey, a number of practices in the West Midlands were identified as having the poorest patient ratings. At these surgeries, only around four in ten patients believed the practice was doing a good job.
The practice with the lowest score last year was Saltley and Fernbank Medical Practice, where just 36% of patients gave an overall 'good' rating. The full list of the ten lowest-rated surgeries in the region is as follows:
- Saltley and Fernbank Medical Practice - 36% rated good
- Stone Cross Medical Centre - 40%
- Aubrey Road Medical Centre, Small Heath - 42%
- Jubilee Health Centre, Wednesbury - 42%
- Finch Road Primary Care Centre, Lozells - 45%
- Hawthorns Medical Centre, Smethwick - 45%
- Victoria Road Medical Centre, Aston - 46%
- Black Country Family Practice, Tipton - 47%
- Clifton Lane Medical Centre, Stone Cross - 47%
- Great Bridge Health Centre - 48%
Looking Ahead to the 2026 Results
Patients are now being encouraged to share their views once again in the new year. The collected data will form the 2026 GP Patient Survey results, which are typically published in the summer.
Surgeries that found themselves at the bottom of the performance list last year will be hoping for significant improvement in their 2026 ratings. The survey provides a direct channel for patients to influence and highlight where services need to improve, making their participation essential for driving change in local healthcare.
