Cranham Village Surgery has once again been rated the best in Havering for overall patient experience, according to the latest NHS GP Patient Survey 2026. The practice in Ingrebourne Gardens secured a borough‑leading score of 91.6% of respondents describing their overall experience as good, placing it first among local surgeries for the fourth consecutive year.
Strong patient endorsement in national survey
The national survey, run on behalf of NHS England, invited around three million registered patients aged 16 and over to have their say, with 654,714 responses returned across the country. Respondents were asked about their most recent contact with their GP practice, how straightforward it is to book appointments, and whether they feel their needs are understood and met.
- Overall experience (Cranham Village Surgery, 2026): 91.6%
- Previous scores at Cranham: 92.4% (2025), 99% (2023)
- Chase Cross Medical Care placed second in Havering at 89.8%
While Cranham’s overall experience score dipped slightly from last year’s level, it remains comfortably ahead of the borough field. The result underscores a pattern of consistently high patient satisfaction at the surgery.
‘Old-fashioned healthcare’ that puts continuity first
Partners at Cranham Village Surgery credit an emphasis on relationships and continuity for the strong ratings. One of the partners, Dr Mohammed Akhter, described a philosophy rooted in familiarity with patients and their families.
“We feel most strongly [about] having a named doctor present who you build a relationship with, you know who your doctor is, they’ve watched you grow up, they know your family.”
Dr Akhter characterised the approach as staying true to proven ways of working even as new technology develops, adding that the team strives to work in partnership with patients and values their understanding when pressures arise.
How Havering practices compare
The NHS GP Patient Survey looks at what people experience day to day when they contact their GP practice. It captures feedback on access, communication, and whether care feels tailored. On this measure, Cranham Village Surgery led Havering again in 2026, followed by Chase Cross Medical Care. The published scores locally include:
| Practice | Overall experience (2026) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Cranham Village Surgery | 91.6% | Highest rating in Havering |
| Chase Cross Medical Care | 89.8% | Second in Havering |
For Cranham, the past three survey cycles have each delivered the top borough ranking. Although its percentage has shifted year to year, the surgery continues to lead on overall experience among Havering respondents.
What patients were asked about
The survey covered practical and relational aspects of care, including:
- People’s most recent interaction with their GP practice
- How easy it is to make an appointment
- Perceptions of how well their needs were understood and met
These results matter locally because they reflect what residents encounter when seeking help—getting through on the phone or online, arranging appointments, and feeling listened to by the clinicians who know them. For many, having a named doctor is the difference between repeating their story and being known.
Partnership between surgery and patients
Dr Akhter said the team’s ethos depends not only on staff commitment but on patients working with them when pressures mount. He called the outcome “a testament to the dedication of the team,” adding that many patients meet the practice “halfway” when challenges arise.
“We know who your doctor is… old fashioned healthcare for a new age.”
For residents across Havering, the survey findings point to pockets of strong satisfaction alongside continuing strain on access. The borough’s best‑rated practices are often those where continuity and clear communication are prioritised, even as demand remains high. Cranham’s result suggests that personal, steady relationships between patients and clinicians continue to resonate with local people.
