GP surgeries in Downham Market: ratings and patient reviews
There are 3 GP practices in Downham Market, with 21,395 registered patients between them (September 2026). The highest share of patients rating their overall experience as good is at Howdale Group Practice (85%, England 77%). Across the town there are 2,469 patients per qualified GP, against 2,171 across England.
Latest data: September 2026. Registered patients September 2026; GP Patient Survey 2026.
Across the 3 practices in Downham Market with survey results, the share of patients describing their overall experience as good ranges from 71% at The Hollies Surgery to 85% at Howdale Group Practice, with a median of 78% (England: 77%). 1 is above England and 0 below by more than the survey's margin of error. Howdale Group Practice has the highest share finding it easy to get through by phone (66%, England 57%).
| Practice | Registered patients | Overall experience good | Easy to contact by phone | CQC rating | Patients per GP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Howdale Group Practice | 7,936 | 85% | 66% | Good | 3,450 |
| Bridge Street Surgery | 8,312 | 78% | 40% | Good | 1,759 |
| The Hollies Surgery | 5,147 | 71% | 57% | Good | 3,138 |
There are 2,469 registered patients per full-time-equivalent qualified GP in Downham Market, more than England's 2,171 and Norfolk and Suffolk's 2,133. Practices recorded 722 appointments a month per 1,000 patients (England: 510), 67% of them face to face. 42% of appointments took place on the day they were booked (England: 45%).
29% of registered patients are aged 65 or over (England: 19%). Lists grew by 0.6% over the year (England: shrank 1.1%).
| Measure | Downham Market | Norfolk and Suffolk | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Patients per qualified GP | 2,469 | 2,133 | 2,171 |
| Appointments per 1,000 patients a month | 722 | 578 | 510 |
| Face-to-face appointments | 67% | 70% | 63% |
| Same day as booked | 42% | 42% | 45% |
| Did not attend | 4% | 3% | 4% |
| Patients aged 65 or over | 29% | 25% | 19% |
Relative to England, the register furthest above England's rate at practices in Downham Market is atrial fibrillation (3.7% against 2.2%), and the furthest below is osteoporosis (0.4% against 1.2%).
| Condition register | Age group | Downham Market (2024/25) | England | Patients on register |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| High blood pressure | All ages | 19.7% | 15.2% | 4,194 |
| Depression | 18+ yrs | 13.6% | 14.3% | 2,378 |
| Diabetes | 17+ yrs | 10.3% | 7.9% | 1,815 |
| Asthma | 6+ yrs | 8.1% | 6.6% | 1,631 |
| Chronic kidney disease | 18+ yrs | 6.1% | 4.6% | 1,065 |
| Cancer | All ages | 5.4% | 3.8% | 1,142 |
| Coronary heart disease | All ages | 4.3% | 3.0% | 923 |
| Atrial fibrillation | All ages | 3.7% | 2.2% | 779 |
| Stroke and TIA | All ages | 3.0% | 1.9% | 639 |
| COPD | All ages | 2.7% | 1.9% | 575 |
| Heart failure | All ages | 1.3% | 1.1% | 271 |
| Dementia | All ages | 1.2% | 0.8% | 259 |
| Rheumatoid arthritis | 16+ yrs | 1.1% | 0.8% | 196 |
| Epilepsy | 18+ yrs | 0.9% | 0.8% | 151 |
| Serious mental illness | All ages | 0.8% | 1.0% | 161 |
| Peripheral arterial disease | All ages | 0.5% | 0.6% | 113 |
| Palliative care | All ages | 0.5% | 0.6% | 113 |
| Learning disability | All ages | 0.5% | 0.6% | 99 |
| Osteoporosis | 50+ yrs | 0.4% | 1.2% | 44 |
How many GP practices are there in Downham Market?
3, with 21,395 registered patients in September 2026.
Which GP practice in Downham Market do patients rate highest?
Howdale Group Practice: 85% of patients described their overall experience as good in the 2026 GP Patient Survey, above the England figure of 77%.
How many patients are there per GP in Downham Market?
2,469 registered patients per full-time-equivalent qualified GP, against 2,171 across England.
How many GP appointments in Downham Market are face to face?
67% of appointments at the town's practices were face to face, against 63% across England.