• Doctor
  • GP practice

Olive Medical Practice

Overall: Good read more about inspection ratings

3 Lime Street, Blackburn, Lancashire, BB1 7EP (01254) 287070

Provided and run by:
Olive Medical Practice

Important: The provider of this service changed. See old profile
Important:

We took enforcement action on 26 January 2026, placing a condition on the registration of Olive Medical Practice stating they must not carry out surgical circumcision procedures without the permission of the Care Quality Commission.

Assessment report published 28 September 2026

On this page

Responsive

Good

7 September 2026

We looked for evidence that the service met people’s needs, and that staff treated people equally and without discrimination.

At our last assessment, we rated this key question as requires improvement. Since then, the service has re-established an effective complaints procedure, ensuring that complaints are managed appropriately, lessons are identified and acted upon, and patients are treated with openness and honesty. These improvements have strengthened the service's approach to learning and accountability. At this assessment, the rating has changed to good.
 

This service scored 71 (out of 100) for this area. Find out what we look at when we assess this area and How we calculate these scores.

Person-centred Care

Score: 3

The service made sure people were at the centre of their care and treatment choices and they decided, in partnership with people, how to respond to any relevant changes in people’s needs. The practice told us people who used services were involved in planning and making shared decisions about their care and treatment, for example, patients on the end-of-life pathway.

Care plans reflected physical, mental, emotional, and social needs of patients including those related to protected characteristics under the Equality Act. Our review of clinical records showed patients were supported to understand their condition and were involved in planning for their care needs. They were also involved in decisions about their care.

The practice received below average scores in the 2026 National GP Patient Survey for questions linked to patient centred care, however these scores had improved from our last inspection. For example, 71% of respondents (compared to 85% nationally and 86% locally) found the reception and administrative team helpful, and 78% (compared to 87% nationally and 88% locally) said the healthcare professional they saw or spoke to was good at listening to them during their last general practice appointment.
 

Care provision, Integration and continuity

Score: 3

The service understood the diverse health and care needs of people and their local communities, so care was joined-up, flexible and supported choice and continuity.

We saw the practice worked in partnership with other services, including those within the primary care network, to meet the needs of its patient population. The practice had tailored its services to meet the diverse needs of its community, for example, building relationships with community groups to promote the take up of screening programmes.
 

Providing Information

Score: 3

The service supplied appropriate, accurate and up-to-date information in formats that were tailored to individual needs. Patients were informed as to how to access their care records.

Processes were in place to ensure people received information that was tailored to their individual needs, which included, making reasonable adjustments for disabled people and providing interpretation and translation services for people who did not speak English or who used British Sign Language. People who had difficulty with reading, writing or using digital services were supported with accessible information.
 

Listening to and involving people

Score: 3

The service made it easy for people to share feedback and ideas, or raise complaints about their care, treatment and support. They involved people in decisions about their care and told them what had changed as a result.

We saw complaints were managed and addressed effectively. Learning from complaints was evident and staff were able to identify changes made as a result of patient feedback, including complaints. Leaders we spoke with discussed positive changes being implemented as a result of patient feedback.
 

Equity in access

Score: 2

The service made sure that people could access the care, support and treatment they needed when they needed it. For example, using digital tools, supporting language needs, arranging home visits and ensuring disability needs were met. Physical premises and equipment were accessible, and people were given support to overcome barriers to ensure equal access. Clinicians were available to see people for all types of appointment requests including urgent appointments. There was a daily on-call duty GP to handle urgent requests.

The service received below average scores in the 2026 National GP Patient Survey for questions linked to access, however these had improved since our last inspection. The percentage of respondents who were positive about their experience of contacting the practice was 59% (compared to 73% nationally and 74% locally) and 56% of respondents (compared to 69% nationally and 70% locally) felt they waited about the right amount of time for their last appointment. The percentage of respondents who responded positively to how easy it was to contact their GP practice on the phone was 28% (compared to 57% nationally and 61% locally). The survey found that 49% of patients found it easy to contact the practice using the NHS App (compared to 54% nationally and 57% locally).

In response to the National GP Patient Survey data and from feedback from members of the community the provider had identified changes to improve access to the service. For example, a new artificial intelligence (AI) receptionist was being implemented to address the high volume of calls the practice receives. Leaders we spoke with described how the AI receptionist could handle high volume of calls simultaneously and converse in a wide range of languages.

The service offered extended appointments for people with a learning disability. People could access the service to suit their needs for example online, in person and by telephone. Treatment rooms were available on the ground floor; there was level access and disabled parking to the entrance.
 

Equity in experiences and outcomes

Score: 3

Staff and leaders actively listened to information about people who were most likely to experience inequality in experience or outcomes and tailored their care, support and treatment in response to this. Staff treated people equally and without discrimination. Leaders proactively sought ways to address any barriers to improving people’s experience and worked with local organisations, including within the voluntary sector, to address any local health inequalities.

Staff understood the importance of providing an inclusive approach to care and made adjustments to support equity in people’s experience and outcomes. The provider had processes to ensure people could register at the practice, including those in vulnerable circumstances. Staff used appropriate systems to capture and review feedback from people using the service, including those who did not speak English or have access to the internet.
 

Planning for the future

Score: 3

People were supported to plan for important life changes, so they could have enough time to make informed decisions about their future, including at the end of their life.

Our records review showed people were supported to consider their wishes for their end-of-life care, including Do Not Attempt Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (DNACPR) decisions. This information was reviewed and discussed with family where appropriate and shared with other services when necessary. There were regular multi-disciplinary meetings to discuss supporting people receiving end of life care.