Enter and view: Severnside Medical Practice

Healthwatch Gloucestershire did this visit to Severnside Medical Practice, a GP practice in Gloucester, on 9 and 10 October 2023. This visit was part of our ongoing partnership working with NHS Gloucestershire and the CQC to support improving the patient experiences in GP practices across the county. It is also supporting a wider project being undertaken by Healthwatch Gloucestershire in relation to accessing GP services.

The visit was carried out over two sessions on different days, engaging 25 patients. The majority of feedback provided by patients was positive, with patients being complimentary about staff across the practice. Patients did raise two areas of concern: delays in being able to arrange appointments for routine issues, and the length of time it can take for the phone to be answered. Patients generally felt kept up to date about what is happening in the practice, though those without mobile phones felt they were not kept up to date in the same way.

The report makes eight recommendations.

1.  Consider how to keep patients updated and reassured about the upcoming changes being made to the phone system.
2. Consider providing information to patients about how and when to contact the practice.
3. Continue to review the appointments that are available to patients.
4. Continue to work with to improve access to the car park.
5. Recognise the restrictions in relocating the disabled parking bays due to space
6. Review the screen in the waiting room.
7. Review the website in relation to the directions/access to the practice.
8. Consider introducing a clock into the waiting room.