Enter and view: Alston Medical Practice

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Summary of report content

Healthwatch Westmorland and Furness undertook an enter and view visit to Alston Medical Practice on 20 August 2025.  They spoke to 15 people.

Patient satisfaction with care quality at Alston Medical Practice, combined with consistently high ratings for communication and premises maintenance, reflects a GP practice that has successfully adapted to serve a remote rural community with complex healthcare needs.

Patients particularly value the responsive appointment system, with many securing same-day or next-day appointments, and the proactive text reminder service. The multichannel communication approach successfully accommodates different patient preferences and digital capabilities. The effective referral system is crucial given limited local specialist provision, especially following the reduction in cottage hospital services.

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General details

Local Healthwatch
Healthwatch Westmorland and Furness
Publication date
Date evidence capture began
Date evidence capture finished
Key themes
Access to services
Accessibility and reasonable adjustments
Booking appointments
Building, Decor and Facilities, including health and safety
Caring, kindness, respect and dignity
Complaints
Consent, choice, user involvement and being listened to
Diagnosis
Medication, prescriptions and dispensing
Referrals
Remote appointments and digital services
Service organisation, delivery, change and closure
Written information, guidance and publicity

Methodology and approach

Was the work undertaken in partnership with another organisation?
No
Primary research method used
Observation (eg Enter and View)
If an Enter and View methodology was applied, was the visit announced or unannounced?
Not Known

Details of health and care services included in the report

Details of health and care services included in the report
General Practice (GP)

Details of people who shared their views

Number of people who shared their views
15
Seldom heard groups
People who are geographically isolated
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