The Care Quality Commission
  • Doctor
  • GP practice

Unsworth Medical Centre

Overall: Good read more about inspection ratings

Parr Lane, Unsworth, Bury, Lancashire, BL9 8JR (0161) 766 4092

Provided and run by:
Unsworth Medical Centre

All Inspections

6 July 2023

During a monthly review of our data

We carried out a review of the data available to us about Unsworth Medical Centre on 6 July 2023. We have not found evidence that we need to carry out an inspection or reassess our rating at this stage.

This could change at any time if we receive new information. We will continue to monitor data about this service.

If you have concerns about Unsworth Medical Centre, you can give feedback on this service.

10 January 2020

During an annual regulatory review

We reviewed the information available to us about Unsworth Medical Centre on 10 January 2020. We did not find evidence of significant changes to the quality of service being provided since the last inspection. As a result, we decided not to inspect the surgery at this time. We will continue to monitor this information about this service throughout the year and may inspect the surgery when we see evidence of potential changes.

During a routine inspection

We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection at Unsworth Medical Centre on 17 December 2018 as part of our inspection programme.

We based our judgement of the quality of care at this service on a combination of:

  • what we found when we inspected
  • information from our ongoing monitoring of data about services and
  • information from the provider, patients, the public and other organisations.

We have rated this practice as good overall and good for all population groups.

We found that:

  • The practice provided care in a way that kept patients safe and protected them from avoidable harm.
  • Patients received effective care and treatment that met their needs.
  • Staff dealt with patients with kindness and respect and involved them in decisions about their care.
  • The practice organised and delivered services to meet patients’ needs. Patients could access care and treatment in a timely way.
  • The way the practice was led and managed promoted the delivery of high-quality, person-centre care.

Whilst we found no breaches of regulations, the provider should:

  • Review and update clinical policies and procedures.
  • Record clinical observations of newly appointed nursing staff.

Details of our findings and the evidence supporting our ratings are set out in the evidence tables.

Professor Steve Field CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP
Chief Inspector of General Practice

5 April 2016

During a routine inspection

Letter from the Chief Inspector of General Practice

We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection at Unsworth Medical Centre on 5 April 2016. Overall the practice is rated as good.

Our key findings across all the areas we inspected were as follows:

  • There was an open and transparent approach to safety and an effective system in place for reporting and recording significant events.
  • Risks to patients were assessed and well managed.
  • Staff assessed patients’ needs and delivered care in line with current evidence based guidance.
  • Staff were trained so they had the skills, knowledge and experience to deliver effective care and treatment.
  • Patients said they were treated with compassion, dignity and respect and they were involved in their care and decisions about their treatment.
  • Information about services and how to complain was available and easy to understand. Improvements were made to the quality of care as a result of complaints and concerns.
  • Patients said they sometimes found it difficult get through to the surgery by phone to make an appointment with a named GP.
  • Patients said that urgent appointments were available the same day.
  • The practice had good facilities and was well equipped to treat patients and meet their needs.
  • There was a clear leadership structure and staff felt supported by management. The practice proactively sought feedback from staff and patients which it acted on.
  • The provider was aware of and complied with the requirements of the duty of candour.

Professor Steve Field (CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP) 

Chief Inspector of General Practice

8 July 2014

During an inspection looking at part of the service

During our last inspection in September 2013 we looked at how the provider was meeting the regulations relating to cleanliness and infection control and workers. We found that action was required to ensure people were protected from the risk of infection and that improvements to the staff recruitment process. Following that inspection the provider submitted an action plan detailing what steps they had taken to address the issues raised. We conducted this follow up inspection to establish that the regulations relating to cleanliness and infection control and workers were being met and to ensure that the action taken by the provider had been sustained.

We found that this was the case and appropriate action had been taken and sustained.

19 September 2013

During a routine inspection

We saw that patients were treated respectfully and were given privacy during their visit to Unsworth Medical Centre. Patients usually had the choice of being able to see a male or female GP. A translation service was available for patients who did not speak English as their first language.

We saw the triage appointment system that was in place. A GP spoke with all patients who requested an urgent appointment. If necessary they were then booked in for an appointment with a GP. Recent feedback on the NHS Choices website was positive about the triage system.

New patients were given an appointment with the practice nurse for an initial health check. We saw that several clinics for specific conditions were held at the practice. Emergency drugs and resuscitation equipment were available for use in the case of a patient emergency.

All areas of the practice were visibly clean. However, there were tears in the vinyl covering of two examination couches which meant effective cleaning of them could not take place.

The practice obtained a full work history for all prospective staff members and we saw that interviews took place prior to a recruitment decision being made. However, references were not always provided for staff. The identity of locum doctors was checked but the practice manager told us the identity for other staff members was not requested.

The practice had a patient reference group to help collect the views of patients.