The Government has recently announced plans to transform GP services in the UK, changing the current funding format, which is more than two decades old.
Research found that people living in more deprived areas and coastal towns often have the highest needs for the NHS, but the fewest GPs, the worst-performing services, and the longest waiting lists.
Reception teams can play a big role in our experience at our GP practice, from booking appointments to inquiring about test results. Patients in Greater Manchester have shared their views on how they feel their GP receptionists are performing.
The latest GP Patient Survey, produced by Ipsos on behalf of NHS England, sheds light on patients’ experiences across Greater Manchester and beyond.
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 doctor’s surgery.
The survey reveals how patients really feel about their reception and administrative team at their GP practice. Across the country, the majority of patients described their reception team as ‘very helpful’ (42%) or ‘fairly helpful’ (41%).
However, not every GP surgery met expectations. Here we reveal the surgeries in Greater Manchester where reception teams have been voted the worst by you. Surgeries are ranked by the proportion of patients who said the reception and administrative team at their GP practice is ‘not very helpful or not at all helpful’.
1. The Croft Shifa Health Centre - Rochdale
There were 780 survey forms sent out to patients at The Croft Shifa Health Centre in Rochdale, and the response rate was 11%. 57% of patients said the reception team was 'not very helpful or not at all helpful.' | Google Maps
2. Ashton Medical Group - Ashton-under-Lyne
There were 489 survey forms sent out to patients at Ashton Medical Group in Ashton-under-Lyne, and the response rate was 22%. 55% of patients said the reception team was 'not very helpful or not at all helpful.' | Google Maps
3. Hattersley Group Practice - Hattersley, Hyde
There were 531 survey forms sent out to patients at Hattersley Group Practice in Hattersley, Hyde, and the response rate was 22%. 46% of patients said the reception team was 'not very helpful or not at all helpful.' | Google Maps
4. Limefield Medical Practice - Salford
There were 933 survey forms sent out to patients at Limefield Medical Practice in Salford, and the response rate was 8%. 46% of patients said the reception team was 'not very helpful or not at all helpful.' | Google Maps