Enter and view: Woodlawn Medical Centre

Healthwatch Richmond undertook an enter and view visit to Woodlawn Medical Centre on 8 and 9 October 2014.

• There was insufficient signage with no sign for the toilets, no sign indicating opening hours or staff names/information.  
• NHS Direct (this service closed on the 31^st March 2013) was still being inappropriately advertised in the surgery.
• The waiting room was very small and concern was raised about the privacy at the Woodlawn reception area, with receptionists can frequently be overheard by patients.
• The experience of booking appointments was very mixed, with some patients getting appointments relatively easy, and others had to wait up to two weeks
• Staff at the practice were seen as one of the most positive aspects of the service with staff offering patients a personal approach. Reception staff created a friendly and jovial atmosphere for patients
• Patients had confidence in the medical staff: they felt that clinicians had the skills needed and patients felt comfortable discussing anything with them
• Patients felt that they were always involved in their care and that they understood the treatments offered
• Problems were reported regarding prescriptions at Woodlawn and Oak Lane suggesting that the way prescriptions are managed across both practices needs improving