GP surgeries in Watford: ratings and patient reviews
There are 8 GP practices in Watford, with 106,012 registered patients between them (September 2026). The highest share of patients rating their overall experience as good is at Bridgewater Surgeries (91%, England 77%). Across the town there are 2,415 patients per qualified GP, against 2,171 across England.
Latest data: September 2026. Registered patients September 2026; GP Patient Survey 2026.
Across the 8 practices in Watford with survey results, the share of patients describing their overall experience as good ranges from 68% at Suthergrey House Medical Centre to 91% at Bridgewater Surgeries, with a median of 76% (England: 77%). 1 is above England and 1 below by more than the survey's margin of error. The Elms Surgery has the highest share finding it easy to get through by phone (86%, England 57%).
| Practice | Registered patients | Overall experience good | Easy to contact by phone | CQC rating | Patients per GP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bridgewater Surgeries | 36,819 | 91% | 65% | Good | 2,476 |
| The Elms Surgery | 8,673 | 83% | 86% | Requires improvement | 4,879 |
| South Oxhey Surgery | 4,263 | 82% | 55% | Good | 2,855 |
| Garston Medical Centre | 13,276 | 78% | 64% | Good | 2,874 |
| Sheepcot Medical Centre | 10,103 | 75% | 50% | – | 2,256 |
| The Consulting Rooms | 6,540 | 73% | 69% | Good | 1,777 |
| Upton Road Surgery | 17,979 | 71% | 44% | Good | 2,447 |
| Suthergrey House Medical Centre | 8,359 | 68% | 45% | Good | 1,482 |
There are 2,415 registered patients per full-time-equivalent qualified GP in Watford, more than England's 2,171 and Central East's 2,348. Practices recorded 510 appointments a month per 1,000 patients (England: 510), 60% of them face to face. 52% of appointments took place on the day they were booked (England: 45%).
13% of registered patients are aged 65 or over (England: 19%). Lists shrank by 1.5% over the year (England: shrank 1.1%).
| Measure | Watford | Central East | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Patients per qualified GP | 2,415 | 2,348 | 2,171 |
| Appointments per 1,000 patients a month | 510 | 521 | 510 |
| Face-to-face appointments | 60% | 62% | 63% |
| Same day as booked | 52% | 48% | 45% |
| Did not attend | 4% | 4% | 4% |
| Patients aged 65 or over | 13% | 17% | 19% |
Relative to England, the register furthest above England's rate at practices in Watford is diabetes (8.2% against 7.9%), and the furthest below is osteoporosis (0.6% against 1.2%).
| Condition register | Age group | Watford (2024/25) | England | Patients on register |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| High blood pressure | All ages | 13.1% | 15.2% | 14,064 |
| Depression | 18+ yrs | 10.9% | 14.3% | 9,233 |
| Diabetes | 17+ yrs | 8.2% | 7.9% | 7,017 |
| Asthma | 6+ yrs | 5.5% | 6.6% | 5,491 |
| Chronic kidney disease | 18+ yrs | 3.0% | 4.6% | 2,497 |
| Cancer | All ages | 2.7% | 3.8% | 2,926 |
| Coronary heart disease | All ages | 2.4% | 3.0% | 2,527 |
| Atrial fibrillation | All ages | 1.5% | 2.2% | 1,608 |
| Stroke and TIA | All ages | 1.3% | 1.9% | 1,410 |
| COPD | All ages | 1.2% | 1.9% | 1,340 |
| Serious mental illness | All ages | 1.0% | 1.0% | 1,108 |
| Rheumatoid arthritis | 16+ yrs | 0.8% | 0.8% | 688 |
| Heart failure | All ages | 0.7% | 1.1% | 773 |
| Dementia | All ages | 0.6% | 0.8% | 689 |
| Epilepsy | 18+ yrs | 0.6% | 0.8% | 523 |
| Learning disability | All ages | 0.6% | 0.6% | 630 |
| Osteoporosis | 50+ yrs | 0.6% | 1.2% | 186 |
| Palliative care | All ages | 0.4% | 0.6% | 407 |
| Peripheral arterial disease | All ages | 0.4% | 0.6% | 387 |
How many GP practices are there in Watford?
8, with 106,012 registered patients in September 2026.
Which GP practice in Watford do patients rate highest?
Bridgewater Surgeries: 91% 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 Watford?
2,415 registered patients per full-time-equivalent qualified GP, against 2,171 across England.
How many GP appointments in Watford are face to face?
60% of appointments at the town's practices were face to face, against 63% across England.