Enter and view: Caton Health Centre

Healthwatch Lancashire undertook an announced enter and view visit to Caton Health Centre on 29 May 2025.  They spoke to 3 patients.

Overall patients were positive about the quality of care that they received at the health centre. Waiting times to see a GP and telephone appointments were raised by patients as requiring some improvement, as well as a desire for more online services. The ease of travelling to and parking at the health centre meant that the patients spoken with had preferred to use Caton Health Centre rather than accessing the Lancaster practice. 

Observations identified that the entrance to the health centre needs highlighting more to reduce confusion, and that it would be good if the reception desk was more open and inclusive. There is also a need for an accessibility audit to be carried out in order to ensure that the disabled toilet meets is fully accessible and that the centre is dementia friendly. 

Caton Health Centre has an active Patient Participation Group (PPG) as part of the Queen Square Medical Practice, although two of the patients spoken with had not heard of the group and one was unsure. Further promotion of the PPG will help increase patient numbers and allow for more diverse patient demographics where possible.