Reception teams can play a big role in our experience at our GP practice, from booking appointments to inquiring about test results.
Patients across the North East have shared their views on how they feel their GP receptionists are performing in the latest GP Patient Survey, produced by Ipsos on behalf of NHS England.
More than 700,000 patients in England completed the 2025 survey, which was carried out between January and March this year, and gathers information on how patients feel about their local GP.
The survey uncovered patients’ experiences with the reception and administrative team at their GP practice. Across the country, the majority of patients described their GP reception team as ‘very helpful’ (42%) or ‘fairly helpful’ (41%).
Here we reveal the surgeries in the North East where reception teams have been voted the best by you. Surgeries are ranked by the proportion of patients who said the reception and administrative team at their GP practice is ‘very helpful’.
17. Gainford Surgery - Gainford, Darlington
There were 245 survey forms sent out to patients at Gainford Surgery in Gainford, Darlington, and the response rate was 45%. 73% of patients said the reception team was ‘very helpful’, while 27% said they found the team ‘fairly helpful’. | Google Maps
18. Belford Medical Practice - Belford
There were 264 survey forms sent out to patients at Belford Medical Practice in Belford, and the response rate was 46%. 73% of patients said the reception team was ‘very helpful’, while 23% said they found the team ‘fairly helpful’. | Google Maps
19. Bevan Medical Group - Durham
There were 387 survey forms sent out to patients at Bevan Medical Group in Durham, and the response rate was 33%. 72% of patients said the reception team was ‘very helpful’, while 24% said they found the team ‘fairly helpful’. | Google Maps
20. Blacketts Medical Practice - Darlington
There were 336 survey forms sent out to patients at Blacketts Medical Practice in Darlington, and the response rate was 37%. 72% of patients said the reception team was ‘very helpful’, while 25% said they found the team ‘fairly helpful’. | Google Maps