Updated 2 May 2019
Chapel Medical Centre provides GP services to approximately 8,300 patients in Slough and some surrounding areas. The practice is operated from a purpose-built building within the grounds of Upton Hospital. It is co-located with a walk-in service, where patients with non-urgent conditions can be seen and treated the same day without an appointment.
Both Chapel Medical Centre and the walk-in service are provided by East Berkshire Primary Care Out of Hours Ltd (EBPCOOH). The GP practice was registered to provide regulated activities from the location with the CQC in November 2018, although EBPCOOH have been responsible for the day to day operation of the service since September 2017. During this inspection we only inspected the GP service.
The practice provides the following regulated activities:
- Diagnostic and screening procedures
- Family planning
- Surgical procedures
- Treatment of disease, disorder or injury
The practice address is:
Chapel Medical Centre, Upton Hospital, Albert Street, Slough, SL1 2BJ.
The provider (EBPCOOH) has overall organisational responsibility for the practice and has several departments within the organisation that assist the practice remotely. For example, a Human Resources department, complaints administrator and information governance lead. There is also a call centre primarily operated for other services provided by EBPCOOH. The call centre can accept calls for the practice when required.
The practice has five salaried GPs (three female and two male) who make a whole time equivalent (WTE) of 3.2 full time GPs. The nursing team is led by a nurse manager (WTE 1), with three practice nurses (WTE 2.5) and a full-time healthcare assistant. There is also a pharmacist (WTE 0.6). The day-to-day operation of the practice is overseen by a Practice Manager (in post since September 2018), a trainee Practice Manager, three administration staff and nine reception staff.
The patient population is diverse and in an area of medium deprivation. According to the Office of National Statistics there are 70% of patients from black and minority ethnic backgrounds and 22% from other white/European backgrounds. There is an 8% white British population. There are areas of high deprivation locally and some transient groups who do not often access healthcare services. In addition, there is a high number of new migrants in the area with limited knowledge or experience of accessing NHS healthcare.
The practice is open from 8am to 6.30pm Monday to Friday. Out of these core hours patients can access the out of hours service also provided by EBPCOOH.
The centre had recently introduced a new website for patients to access online services: www.thechapelmedicalpractice.org.uk