Enter and view: VM Surgery
Download (PDF 736.88 KB)Summary of report content
In October 2017, Healthwatch Redbridge conducted an announced Enter and View visit at VM Surgery in Ilford, Essex, as part of the local Healthwatch programme of Enter and View visits to GP Practices in Redbridge to evaluate whether providers are adequately supporting people with communication impairments to use services.
Three Enter and View representatives made observations and spoke with the Receptionist during the visit. They were unable to speak with any patients during this visit as there were no people waiting for appointments.
Observations focused around whether providers met their obligations under the Accessible Information Standard (AIS). Volunteers looked at website accessibility, building accessibility, parking, facilities, provision of information and alternative formats, hearing loops and procedures to support the communication of patients with a hearing or vision impairment.
A total of 10 recommendations were made suggesting ways to enhance the service to meet obligations set out under legislation as above. Palms Medical Centre responded to the report stating only that the surgery has been closed since 1st November 2017.