Flixton Road Medical Centre

On this page

• Overview
• Person-centred Care
• Care provision, Integration and continuity
• Providing Information
• Listening to and involving people
• Equity in access
• Equity in experiences and outcomes
• Planning for the future

We carried out an announced assessment of one quality statement, equity of access, under the key question Responsive and found: The practice had organised services to meet patients’ needs. The practice used people’s feedback and other evidence to actively seek and improve access for people. They analysed and understood their patient population and associated needs. Services were designed to make them accessible and timely for people including those most likely to have difficulty accessing care. The provider prioritised, allocated resources and developed opportunities as needed to tackle inequalities and achieve equity of access. The practice monitored, reviewed and analysed data and feedback related to patient’s experiences when accessing care at the service. Where negative feedback was received or opportunities to improve were identified, the practice responded with plans developed and implemented and changes designed to improve access, patients’ experiences, and satisfaction levels. Systems implemented were evaluated for effectiveness.

This service scored 75 (out of 100) for this area. Find out what we look at when we assess this area and How we calculate these scores.

We did not look at Person-centred Care during this assessment. The score for this quality statement is based on the previous rating for Responsive.

We did not look at Care provision, Integration and continuity during this assessment. The score for this quality statement is based on the previous rating for Responsive.

We did not look at Providing Information during this assessment. The score for this quality statement is based on the previous rating for Responsive.

We did not look at Listening to and involving people during this assessment. The score for this quality statement is based on the previous rating for Responsive.

Patients could book appointments by telephone, online, through an App. (AskMyGp) and in person at the practice. Information regarding access was displayed in the practice, on the telephone messaging system and online. Appointments were available face to face, by telephone, online or as a home visit. Same day and pre bookable appointments were available. The practice provided additional appointments for their patients until 8pm Monday- Friday and 9am - 5pm Saturday and Sunday. There were also additional appointments available through an extended access arrangement with other local GP practices in the network. The practice offered appointments from a variety of clinical staff for example doctors, practice nurses, healthcare assistants, assistant practitioners and pharmacist. They also offered appointments with advanced role clinicians through the PCN such as dietician and physiotherapist. Patients have continuity of care and can access a named GP. Information on how to access care out of normal GP hours was available on the telephone message system, online and at the practice. The practice had arrangements in place for prioritising patients. Staff were trained and supported by documented protocols and clinicians to triage and book appointments with members of the practice clinical team or signpost patients to other appropriate services. We saw evidence that the number of available clinician appointments offered each week was adjusted, suitable for the population need and met requirements of the GP contract. The practice demonstrated how feedback from patients was continually monitored. We were shown and told about feedback that was gathered, reviewed and acted upon. We saw resulting action plans in place. Initiatives had been implemented and monitored to improve access, such as inhouse extended hours appointments, patient education, staff training, improved telephone and online booking system.

Feedback from the 2023 National GP Patient Survey demonstrated responses for patient satisfaction with how easy it is to get through to the practice by phone was positive and above national average. Satisfaction with GP practice appointment times, the appointment offered, and with the overall experience of making an appointment were in line with national averages. Results from the NHS Friends and Family Test (FFT) were reviewed. We found there had been positive improvements with feedback. For example, feedback in December 2023, January and February 2024 demonstrated a total of 688 responses were received in these three months with an average of 96% of respondents saying they thought the practice was good or very good. (England average is 91%). The practice patient population was acknowledged and understood. Adaptations were made for vulnerable people, those whose first language was not English and for patients who had information and communication needs related to a disability, impairment or sensory loss. Patients were not discriminated against and were able to access services easily. Access was tailored for different patients’ needs including, military veterans, homeless people, LGBTQIA+, and migrants. The practice was accessible to patients with reduced mobility, baby and mothers and those who were hard of hearing. Leaders had gathered patient feedback by a variety of methods, responded to it and were continuously making improvements.

Leaders demonstrated they were aware of the challenges to patient access and had acted to improve. The practice created action plans in response to patient surveys and to patient feedback relating to access. We were told how these changes were assessed to make sure patients were not disadvantaged and how the impact of the changes was being monitored. Leaders explained they provided opportunities and support for different groups of the patient population to overcome health inequalities including adjustments to the registration process, and to how patients could communicate with the practice. Feedback from staff demonstrated people in vulnerable circumstances were easily able to register with the practice, including those with no fixed abode such as homeless people, asylum seekers and refugees. We heard about changes they had made including changes to staffing, appointment availability on days of the week identified as having access pressures, website and telephony system and patient education. The practice promoted the use of their website and online consultation service through the App. to improve access and had available online booking of appointments as well as offering online consultations. However traditional methods of access were available to those who were not digitally proficient. We heard about ways that the practice was working with other local stakeholders to improve access to primary care, such as implementation of the local Primary Care Network (PCN) capacity and access improvement plan and the General Practice Improvement Programme. Improving access and patient experience was a priority. They reviewed data and feedback, and changes were made to ensure improvements would have a positive impact for their patients.

We did not look at Equity in experiences and outcomes during this assessment. The score for this quality statement is based on the previous rating for Responsive.

We did not look at Planning for the future during this assessment. The score for this quality statement is based on the previous rating for Responsive.