Alchester Medical Group

On this page

• Overview
• Person-centred Care
• Care provision, Integration and continuity
• Providing Information
• Listening to and involving people
• Equity in access
• Equity in experiences and outcomes
• Planning for the future

We looked for evidence the service met people’s needs, and staff treated people equally and without discrimination. At our last inspection, we rated this key question as Good. At this inspection, the rating remains the same.

This service scored 75 (out of 100) for this area. Find out what we look at when we assess this area and How we calculate these scores.

We did not look at Person-centred Care during this assessment. The score for this quality statement is based on the previous rating for Responsive.

We did not look at Care provision, Integration and continuity during this assessment. The score for this quality statement is based on the previous rating for Responsive.

We did not look at Providing Information during this assessment. The score for this quality statement is based on the previous rating for Responsive.

We did not look at Listening to and involving people during this assessment. The score for this quality statement is based on the previous rating for Responsive.

The practice made sure people could access the care, support and treatment they needed when they needed it. We saw the appointment system and clinical skill mix was under constant review to reflect changes in demand.

The practice performed in line than the national averages in the results of the 2025 National GP Patient Survey regarding access. This showed people could access the service when they needed it in a way that suited their needs, such as by telephone, in person or through the practice website. For example:

• 62% of respondents to the survey said they found it easy to get through to this service by telephone, compared to a national average of 53%.
• 66% of respondents to the survey described their overall experience of contacting this service as being good, compared to a national average of 70%.

In response to feedback from people who used the service and staff feedback, the practice had made changes to improve access. This included amending clinic times to reflect the working age population in Bicester, which reduced waiting times for people.

All sites were accessible to those patients with limited mobility and the dispensary opening hours aligned to the core practice opening hours.

Patient feedback highlighted no concerns with access, this included access to appointments and for those eligible, access to their medication via the dispensary.

Staff and leaders actively listened to information about people who were most likely to experience inequality in experience or outcomes. They tailored their care, support and treatment in response to this.

For example:

• The practice provided dispensary services for people who needed additional support with their medicines, for example weekly or monthly blister packs. There was also a secure medicines delivery service for those who had difficulties getting to the practice due to limited local public transport availability.

• The practice accommodated home visits and provided weekly ward rounds to the 3 aligned care homes who accessed GP services from the practice.

Staff treated people equally and without discrimination. Leaders proactively sought ways to address any barriers to improving people’s experience, this included supporting a transient population who lived at local military bases. We also found the practice were continuing to support a cohort of Asylum Seekers. Staff followed processes to ensure people could register at the practice, including those in vulnerable circumstances such as homeless people and Travellers.

We did not look at Planning for the future during this assessment. The score for this quality statement is based on the previous rating for Responsive.