The Care Quality Commission
  • Doctor
  • GP practice

Birchwood Medical Centre

Overall: Good read more about inspection ratings

15 Benson Road, Birchwood, Warrington, Cheshire, WA3 7PJ (01925) 823502

Provided and run by:
Dr A K Patiniott & Partners

All Inspections

12 October 2019

During an annual regulatory review

We reviewed the information available to us about Birchwood Medical Centre on 12 October 2019. We did not find evidence of significant changes to the quality of service being provided since the last inspection. As a result, we decided not to inspect the surgery at this time. We will continue to monitor this information about this service throughout the year and may inspect the surgery when we see evidence of potential changes.

18 April 2018

During a routine inspection

This practice is rated as Good overall. (Previous inspection 12 May 2015 – Good)

The key questions are rated as:

Are services safe? – Good

Are services effective? – Good

Are services caring? – Good

Are services responsive? – Good

Are services well-led? - Good

We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection at Birchwood Medical Centre on 17 April 2018 as part of our inspection programme.

Previously we carried out an announced comprehensive inspection at Birchwood Medical Centre on 12 May 2015. The overall rating for the practice was good. The full comprehensive report on the May 2015 inspection can be found by selecting the ‘all reports’ link for Birchwood Medical Centre on our website at .

At this inspection we found:

  • The practice had clear systems to manage risk so that safety incidents were less likely to happen. When incidents did happen, the practice learned from them and improved their processes.
  • The practice routinely reviewed the effectiveness and appropriateness of the care it provided. It ensured that care and treatment was delivered according to evidence- based guidelines.
  • Staff involved and treated patients with compassion, kindness, dignity and respect.
  • Patients found the appointment system easy to use and reported that they were able to access care when they needed it.
  • There was a strong focus on continuous learning and improvement at all levels of the organisation.
  • We received eight comment cards all of which were highly positive about the level of care experienced.
  • There was a clear leadership structure and staff felt supported by management.
  • There was a system in place to manage and learn from complaints.

Professor Steve Field CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGPChief Inspector of General Practice

12 May 2015

During a routine inspection

Letter from the Chief Inspector of General Practice

This is the report of findings from our inspection of Dr Redfearn and Partners.

We undertook a comprehensive inspection on 12 May 2015. We reviewed CQC comment cards completed by patients and spoke with patients, staff and the practice management team.

Overall, the practice was rated as Good. A safe, caring, effective, responsive and well- led service was provided that met the needs of the population it served.

Our key findings across all the areas we inspected were as follows:

  • There were systems in place to protect patients from avoidable harm. Staff understood and fulfilled their responsibilities to raise concerns and to report incidents. Information about safety was recorded, monitored, appropriately reviewed and addressed.
  • Patients’ needs were assessed and care was planned and delivered in consideration with best practice guidance. Staff had received training appropriate to their roles and any further training needs had been identified and planned.
  • Patients were very positive about the care they received from the practice. Patients said they were treated with compassion, dignity and respect and they were involved in their care and decisions about their treatment.
  • Information about services and how to complain was available and easy to understand.
  • The practice planned its services to meet the differing needs of patients. The recently upgraded telephone system improved access to the appointment system. The practice encouraged patients to give their views about access to the services and made changes as a consequence.
  • The practice had good facilities and was well equipped to treat patients and meet their needs.
  • There was a clear leadership structure and staff felt supported by management. Quality and performance were monitored, risks were identified and managed. The practice ensured that staff had access to learning and improvement opportunities.

There was an area of practice where the provider needs to make improvements.

The provider should:

  • Record multi-disciplinary meetings to demonstrate monitoring arrangements and support for palliative care patients and identified vulnerable patients.

Professor Steve Field (CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP) 

Chief Inspector of General Practice