Updated 26 September 2018
The Acorn Group Practice provides primary medical services in Twickenham to approximately 8600 patients and is one of 29 practices in Richmond Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG).
The practice population is in the least deprived decile in England. The proportion of children registered at the practice who live in income deprived households is 7%, which is lower than the CCG average of 10%; for older people the practice value is 11%, which is lower than the CCG average of 12%. The age profile of patients registered at the practice is broadly the same as the CCG averages; however, the practice population has a slightly below average proportion of patients aged under 18 years (34% compared with a CCG average of 40%); the majority of patients at the practice are aged between 15 and 44 years. Of patients registered with the practice, the largest group by ethnicity are white (85.9%), followed by Asian (7.5%), mixed (3.6%), black (1.6%) and other non-white ethnic groups (1.5%).
The practice is situated over three floors of a purpose-built medical centre. The building comprises of a reception and waiting area, nurse and GP consultation rooms on the ground floor, further consultation rooms on the first floor, and administrative space on the second floor. All floors are accessible by both stairs and a lift. Patient and staff toilets area available, including an accessible toilet with baby changing facilities on the ground floor.
The practice team at the surgery is made up of three full time GPs who are partners (one female, two male), three part time salaried GPs (all female), a part time practice nurse, a part time healthcare assistant and a part time pharmacist. The practice team also consists of a practice manager, assistant practice manager, nine receptionists, a secretary and a finance assistant.
The practice operates under a General Medical Services (GMS) contract, and is signed up to a number of local and national enhanced services (enhanced services require an enhanced level of service provision above what is normally required under the core GP contract).
The practice is open between 8:30am and 6pm Monday to Friday. Appointments are from 8:30am to 5:30pm. An extended hours surgery is offered between 6:30pm and 7:45pm on Tuesdays. In total 34.5 GP sessions are available per week. Patients can also access appointments via the CCG seven-day opening Hub, which offers appointments from 8am until 8pm every day.
When the practice is closed patients are directed to contact the local out of hours service.
The practice is registered as a sole provider with the Care Quality Commission to provide the regulated activities of diagnostic and screening services; maternity and midwifery services; treatment of disease, disorder or injury; surgical procedures; and family planning.