Cranham leads borough for fourth year running
Cranham Village Surgery has once again taken the top spot in Havering for overall patient experience, according to the latest NHS GP Patient Survey 2026. The practice in Ingrebourne Gardens secured a 91.6% ‘good’ rating for overall experience — the highest of any GP surgery in the borough — marking its fourth consecutive year at the summit.
The national survey, carried out on behalf of NHS England, invited around three million patients aged 16 and over to take part and received 654,714 valid responses across the country. Respondents were asked about their most recent GP experiences, the ease of booking appointments and how well their needs were met.
‘Old fashioned healthcare for a new age’
Partner Dr Mohammed Akhter said the result reflected the practice’s ethos and team effort. He described the approach as rooted in continuity and personal connection, even as the wider system embraces more digital tools.
“[The result is] a testament to the dedication of the team that we have here.”
He added that the surgery aims to work closely with patients and values mutual understanding when problems arise.
“[We are] working in partnership with our patients,” and are grateful that patients often “meet us halfway.”
While some advocate rapid adoption of new technologies and centralised systems, the Cranham team emphasises relationship-based general practice.
He described its approach as “old fashioned healthcare for a new age”, adding: “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.”
Scores in context
Cranham’s overall experience score has softened from 92.4% last year and from 99% in 2023, but it remains the borough’s highest. Chase Cross Medical Care ranked second in Havering this year with an overall experience score of 89.8%. The year-on-year picture underlines steady borough-leading performance by Cranham, amid shifting expectations and pressure on access.
| Surgery | Overall experience 2026 | Previous years (where stated) |
|---|---|---|
| Cranham Village Surgery | 91.6% | 2025: 92.4%; 2023: 99% |
| Chase Cross Medical Care | 89.8% | — |
What this means for patients locally
For residents from Cranham to Upminster and across the borough, the findings underline the value of continuity — seeing the same named GP where possible — and how it can shape satisfaction with care. The survey’s focus on appointment access, communication and whether needs are met reflects the everyday concerns we hear locally: getting through on the phone, securing timely slots, and feeling listened to in the consultation room.
- Continuity of care: Having a named GP can help patients feel known and supported over time.
- Access and booking: Ease of making appointments remains central to how people judge their practice.
- Communication: Clear, respectful conversations influence whether patients feel their needs are met.
The survey does not prescribe how practices should deliver these outcomes, but Cranham’s result suggests that a relationship-first model can sit alongside necessary modernisation. While some services are moving more online, many Havering residents continue to value familiar faces and consistent clinical oversight.
Pressures and expectations
Practices across Havering are working with finite staff and growing demand. Within that reality, the challenge is to maintain responsiveness while preserving the human touch that patients rate highly. Dr Akhter’s comments point to a balancing act: using technology where it helps, without losing continuity of care that patients recognise and appreciate.
The borough-wide rankings also offer a prompt for residents to share constructive feedback with their own surgery — especially around booking systems and communication — as practices refine how they work. For Cranham Village Surgery, the latest score keeps it at the top of the local table for another year, and the team credits that position to consistent, personal care.
