The Care Quality Commission
  • Doctor
  • GP practice

Abington Medical Centre

Overall: Good read more about inspection ratings

51a Beech Avenue, Northampton, Northamptonshire, NN3 2JG (01604) 723420

Provided and run by:
Abington 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 Abington 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 Abington Medical Centre, you can give feedback on this service.

09 December 2021

During an inspection looking at part of the service

We carried out an unannounced inspection at Abington Medical Centre on 9 December 2021. This inspection was focused on the management of access to appointments.

Overall, the practice remains rated as Good.

The full reports for previous inspections can be found by selecting the ‘all reports’ link for Abington Medical Centre on our website at www.cqc.org.uk

Why we carried out this inspection

This inspection was undertaken in response to data/information we reviewed which suggested potential issues with access to appointments.

How we carried out the inspection

The inspection was led by a CQC lead inspector who spoke with staff on site. The inspection included a site visit.

Interviews were carried out with the clinical lead and practice manager.

We found that:

  • People were able to access appointments in a timely way.
  • The provider implemented a triage system which reduced avoidable footfall in the practice and enabled staff to navigate patients to the right healthcare professional with the right level of urgency.
  • The practice offered a range of appointment types.
  • There were systems in place to support people who face communication barriers to access treatment.
  • There were systems in place to monitor access to appointments and make improvements. The practice carried out an internal survey which showed that patients were satisfied with the range of options to access appointments.
  • The practice listened and responded to patient feedback, by making adjustments to technology to support the delivery of improvements.
  • The practice shared changes with other neighbouring practices; such as the implementation of a triage protocol which some neighbouring practices adopted.
  • Regular reviews of demand was carried out and used to support staff workflow and allocation of tasks. This was also used to ensure sufficient levels of staff were allocated to managing the phone lines during busy periods.
  • Clinical leads undergoing a masters degree in digital health used theoretical knowledge gained to make improvements within the practice.
  • The practice had an active Patient Participation Group (PPG) and shared updates with PPG members.
  • The practice created a tutorial video for patients around how to sign up to and use online services.

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

Dr Rosie Benneyworth BM BS BMedSci MRCGP

Chief Inspector of Primary Medical Services and Integrated Care

2 June 2016

During a routine inspection

Letter from the Chief Inspector of General Practice

We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection at Abington Medical Centre on 2 June 2016. Overall the practice is rated as good.

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

  • Staff understood and fulfilled their responsibilities to raise concerns, and to report incidents and near misses. Information about safety was recorded including lessons learned.

  • Safe arrangements were in place for staff recruitment that protected patients from risks of harm. The numbers of staff were regularly reviewed to enable them to meet patients’ needs.

  • There were on-going arrangements were in place to protect patients and others from unnecessary infections.

  • Patients’ needs were assessed and care was planned and delivered following best practice guidance. Staff had received training appropriate to their roles and any further training had been encouraged and planned.

  • Patients told us they were treated with compassion, dignity and respect and they were involved in decisions about their treatment.

  • Senior staff had responded to the latest results of the National Patient Survey regarding access for appointments. A system was introduced in April 2016.All patients who requested same day appointments were triaged to ensure they received appropriate and timely care.

  • Information about how to make a complaint was readily available and easy to understand. Complaints received were dealt with appropriately.

  • The practice had good facilities and was well equipped to assess and treat patients.

  • There was a clear leadership structure and staff told us they felt well supported by senior staff. Management sought feedback from patients which it acted on.

  • The provider was aware of and complied with the requirements of the Duty of Candour.

However, there were areas of practice where the provider needs to make improvements.

In addition the provider should:

  • Increase the number of clinical audits that are repeated to demonstrate on-going clinical systems improvement for patient care.

  • Continue to monitor implementation of the new same day appointment system for improvement in future patient survey results.

Professor Steve Field (CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP) 

Chief Inspector of General Practice