PATIENTS have revealed the best and worst rated GP surgeries in Runcorn and Widnes for 2024.

The results of this year’s GP Patient Survey have been published after 5,934 questionnaires were sent out to patients at surgeries across the borough.

A total of 1,616 were returned complete in Runcorn and Widnes, demonstrating a response rate of 28 per cent.

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.

Tower House Practice in Runcorn was named the best in Halton according to patients, with an overall approval rating of 85 per cent.

The second best overall in Halton happened to be the best rated in Widnes, namely Hough Green Health Park, which was given a rating of 84 per cent.

The lowest approval rating was given to Runcorn’s Murdishaw Health Centre at 39 per cent, followed by Widnes practices Newtown Surgery (57 per cent) and The Beeches Medical Centre (60 per cent).

In terms of improvement, three Widnes surgeries saw their rates increase by double figures.

Peelhouse Medical Plaza was up by 14 per cent, while Bevan Group Practice saw a 13 per cent increase, and Hough Green Health Park an 11 per cent rise.

The biggest rise though was Grove House Practice in Runcorn, which was 22 percentage points better off than in 2023.

Conversely, two practices, in Runcorn and Widnes respectively, saw their approval rating decrease by double figures – Murdishaw Health Centre by 14 points and The Beeches Medical Centre by 11 points.

The national approval rating across England for 2023 is 74 per cent – up from 71 per cent last year.

In total, eight Halton surgeries fell below this mark – one fewer than in 2023 – while six were above average.

Overall, 70 per cent of Runcorn and Widnes residents were happy with the experience they received from their GP surgery, up from 67 per cent last year.

You can find the satisfaction rate for each surgery in the borough below, with last year’s rating in brackets.

Here is the full list for Widnes:

1. Hough Green Health Park – 84% (73)

2. Peelhouse Medical Plaza – 80% (66)

3. Bevan Group Practice – 71% (58)

4. Oaks Place Surgery – 69% (66)

5. Upton Rocks Primary Care – 68% (61)

6. Fir Park Medical Centre – 61% (63)

7. The Beeches Medical Centre – 60% (71)

8. Newtown Surgery – 57% (63)

Here is the full list for Runcorn:

1. Tower House Practice – 85% (80)

2. Weaver Vale Practice – 83% (78)

3. Castlefields Health Centre – 79% (83)

4. Grove House Practice – 75% (53)

5. Brookvale Practice – 70% (67)

6. Murdishaw Health Centre – 39% (53)