Enter and view: Westbury Medical Centre
Download (PDF 451.78 KB)Summary of report content
Healthwatch Shropshire conducted an announced Enter and View visit to Westbury Medical Centre, on 20 February 2018, as part of a planned programme of work to explore the implementation of the NHS Accessible Information Standards in GP practices across the county.
Healthwatch Shropshire contacted the practice’s Patient Participation Group (PPG) prior to the visit to ask that they assist in the promotion of this visit. During the visit, Enter and View Authorised Representatives (ARs) on the visit team made an observation of the environment and completed a checklist, spoke to patients / carers in the waiting room and spoke to any staff in the practice who were free and happy to comment.
Enter and View Authorised Representatives noted that there was a poster displayed on one of the large notice boards in the waiting room which states: 'If you have difficulties understanding or communicating, please let a member of staff know. We have access to independent interpreters and can supply information in different formats to suit individual needs.'
The medical centre website has a clearly labelled 'accessibility information' section, which includes: an 'Accessible Information form' which patients can complete and submit electronically information about how to match the website to individual needs (including a button to translate all website information into a wide range of languages). The practice demonstrated the staff access to NHS England guidance on the Accessible Information Standard. The reception and administration staff we spoke to were aware of the term 'Accessible Information' and what it means. The Authorised Representatives were also shown a large print Practice booklet that has been developed by the practice.
The report makes a number of recommendations in the report and these include finding ways to share the good practice demonstrated at this Medical Centre with other Primary Care providers and also recommends that the staff continue to apply the NHS Accessible Information Standards,
The provider response acknowledges all of the recommendations made.