PATIENT surveys have revealed the worst-rated GP surgeries in Somerset for "ease of phone contact".

NHS England's GP Patient Survey for 2024 asked patients to share whether they found their surgery's "ease of phone contact" positive or negative.  

Of GP surgeries in the Somerset Integrated Care System, here are the top ten with the highest percentage of patients reporting they experienced "negative ease of phone contact".

Patients were also asked to indicate whether they found their surgery's receptionists "helpful" or "unhelpful".

Somerset GP surgeries with the worst 'ease of phone contact', revealed by NHS England's GP Patient Survey:

1. Burnham Medical Centre, Love Lane, Burnham-On-Sea

Negative "ease of phone contact": 77.60%

Receptionist helpful: 71.80%

Receptionist unhelpful: 28.20%

2. Diamond Health Group, 74 Hendford, Yeovil 

Negative "ease of phone contact": 75.80%

Receptionist helpful: 62.10%

Receptionist unhelpful: 37.90%

3. Ariel Healthcare, Chard

Negative "ease of phone contact": 64.40%

Receptionist helpful: 66.90%

Receptionist unhelpful: 33.10%

4. St James Medical Centre, Coal Orchard, Taunton

Negative "ease of phone contact": 60.70%

Receptionist helpful: 81.30%

Receptionist unhelpful: 18.70%

5. Frome Medical Centre, Enos Way, Frome

Negative "ease of phone contact": 57.90%

Receptionist helpful: 87.30%

Receptionist unhelpful: 12.70%

6. Preston Grove Medical Centre, Preston Grove, Yeovil

Negative "ease of phone contact": 55.10%

Receptionist helpful: 80.60%

Receptionist unhelpful: 19.40%

7. Church Street Surgery, Church Street, Martock

Negative "ease of phone contact": 55.10%

Receptionist helpful: 77.20%

Receptionist unhelpful: 22.80%

8. Highbridge Medical Centre, Pepperall Road, Highbridge

Negative "ease of phone contact": 52.80%

Receptionist helpful: 54.00%

Receptionist unhelpful: 46.00%

9. Oaklands Surgery, Birchfield Road, Yeovil

Negative "ease of phone contact": 51.60%

Receptionist helpful: 57.70%

Receptionist unhelpful: 42.30%

10. Minehead Medical Centre, Minehead 

Negative "ease of phone contact": 50.40%

Receptionist helpful: 78.90%

Receptionist unhelpful: 21.10%