Enter and view: Priory Medical Centre

Healthwatch Warwickshire did an announced Enter and View to Priory Medical Centre on 20th April 2015. The surgery was clearly signposted from the main road. There is a car park for staff and visitors at the surgery, however, parking is tight and there are a limited number of spaces with only one disabled parking bay available. There were no concerns observed with the external building condition, while the internal decoration was clean and functional.

The Healthwatch team found the surgery met all their observational criteria.

The questionnaire asked the patients attending the surgery about appointments, access, parking, signage, staff attitudes, cleanliness and the quality of care amongst other things. When asked to rate the GP, Nurse and Reception staff at the surgery, the GP seemed to get the best ratings, however it seems the reception staff are improving. Punctuality of appointments seemed to be problematic sometimes, “Long waiting times. If running late this is communicated on arrival.” “Sometimes running late. Difficult if parking in a paid space.”

“I believe that the practice is doing its best in inadequate premises for the 14,000 patients on its books.”

The report recommends that the surgery widely communicate changes to the booking system and look into concerns raised by the patients in respect of the process. Particular consideration to be given to people who have difficulty accessing the telephone during the day. No response from the provider is included.