Archived: The Smethwick Medical Centre

The Smethwick Medical Centre provides a range of primary medical services for approximately 10,000 patients.  Services are provided from their main two storey building in Smethwick and their branch surgery at the Hollybush Medical Centre in Quinton three miles away. This inspection was carried out at the Smethwick Medical Centre main surgery.   The practice is part of the ‘Vitality Partnership’ which is an extended partnership of practices in central Birmingham and the border of Sandwell.

Prior to our inspection we spoke with patients during a listening event held locally and a representative of the Patient Participation Group (PPG).  This is a group of patients from the practice who seek the views of patients regarding the service and work with the practice to develop plans to address areas where improvements could be made.   We also spoke with the local area team from NHS England, the local Clinical Commission Group (CCG) and the local medical committee.  During our inspection we spoke with staff and patients attending the practice that day.

We found that the practice was safe, effective, caring, responsive and well-led.  There were robust systems and processes in place to ensure the safety of patients and staff.  The practice was committed to learning from when things went wrong and engaged in significant event and clinical audit.  Clinical audit is a way of finding out if healthcare has been provided in line with recommended standards. 

Patients we spoke with at the practice reported that the practice was caring and that they were treated with respect.  The majority of patients reported satisfaction with the care they received from the practice but there were concerns expressed regarding difficulty in getting appointments.  This has been an area where the practice have been working over a period of time with the PPG and have implemented actions to improve access.

The practice were proactive in identifying the needs of the practice population and had analysed data and implemented changes to how services were delivered as a result. The practice offered services to include provision of health care to all population groups. 

There was a specific GP with an interest in care of older people and mental health. We found that patients with long term conditions were managed effectively. 

The practice offered facilities for young children and mothers for support and advice and opportunity to take up national screening programmes for immunisation and cervical screening.  There were extended opening hours and online appointments to provide improved access to services for those patients who work.  The practice had systems in place to identify vulnerable people and those with mental health problems who may need additional support and referral to more specialised services. 

Please note that when referring to information throughout this report, for example any reference to the Quality and Outcomes Framework data, this relates to the most recent information available to the CQC at that time.