Registered from 16 December 2022.
GP practice · independent evidence profile
Embrace Medical Centre
Twelve Acre Approach, Kesgrave, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP5 1JF
CQC location 1-14380365737NHS organisation code D83084
A registered address may be where care is managed rather than delivered.
ODS code D83084. Data refreshed 1 September 2026.
Location and contact
Twelve Acre Approach, Kesgrave, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP5 1JF
Use the provider website or telephone number to confirm opening times, services and whether this is the place where care is delivered.
CQC assessment breakdown
How the service was assessed
These are CQC key-question results for this location. A percentage is shown only where CQC publishes one.
Caring
The key question has not been fully assessed to give a rating
Effective
The key question has not been fully assessed to give a rating
Responsive
The key question has not been fully assessed to give a rating
Safe
The key question has not been fully assessed to give a rating
Well-led
This service is not always well-led
Latest published evidence
Ongoing Assessment for The Birches Medical Centre
Assessment dated 24 July 2024. Published 4 September 2024.
What CQC reported
Date of assessment: 24 June to 10 July 2024.
We conducted this assessment due to the legal entity change of this provider and because we received information of concern.
We have not previously rated this service. This assessment did not cover all parts of our Single Assessment Framework; therefore, we have only updated scores and ratings for those areas which we have assessed. We will carry out future assessments to cover other parts of the Framework and will update our website with the findings.
We assessed all quality statements from the well-led key question and found areas of concern. Overall, the practice is unrated with the well led key question rated as requires improvement. At this assessment, we found effective arrangements were in place for partnership working and for improvement and innovation. However, we found improvements were needed to ensure governance systems for the oversight of recruitment and training were effective. Improvements were needed to ensure policies, procedures and guidance could be easily accessed by staff and newly written policies needed time to be embedded in practice.
We found 1 breach of regulation for governance. We have asked the provider for an action plan in response to the concerns found at this assessment.
People’s experience
The practice was rated 3.5 out of 5 stars from feedback on the Healthwatch Suffolk website. The most recent 10 reviews were mixed, with 3 rated 5 stars, 2 rated 3 stars, and 5 rated 2 stars. Positive feedback related to ease of contact, access to appointments, willingness of staff to help, and a speedy response for a cancer referral. Less positive feedback related to difficulties with access to appointments, poor communication, and a lack of confidentiality in the reception area. The practice had 2 reviews on the NHS website, 1 rated 5 stars and 1 rated 4 stars. Both related to access and included improvements which had been made to access and noted staff were helpful, caring, kind and efficient and people felt listened to.
We spoke with and received feedback from 34 people and their representatives. Most people were happy with the care and treatment they received. However, some reported difficulty accessing an appointment and getting through on the telephone. The provider monitored access to appointments regularly and had implemented changes to the online appointment system in response to this. A new telephone system was being installed in July 2024.
One indicator in the National GP Patient Survey published 2023 showed a negative variation in relation to access by telephone, however improvements to performance had been sustained in 3 of the other access indicators, over the previous 2-3 years.
GP Patient Survey 2026
What registered patients reported
108 completed questionnaires · 33.1% response rate.
Overall experience was good
Confidence interval 63.6%–76.1%Experience of contacting the practice was good
Confidence interval 66.2%–78.5%Last appointment met the patient’s needs
Confidence interval 83.9%–92.9%Healthcare professional was good at listening
Confidence interval 84.9%–93.5%Healthcare professional treated the patient with care and concern
Confidence interval 84.2%–93%Patient had confidence and trust in the healthcare professional
Confidence interval 85.2%–93.8%Reception and administrative team were helpful
Confidence interval 77.7%–88.1%Contacting the practice by phone was easy
Confidence interval 37.6%–52.1%Contacting the practice through its website was easy
Confidence interval 55%–69.7%Survey percentages are weighted official statistics and describe the people who responded; they are not a Check My GP score or ranking. Results based on small numbers may be suppressed by the survey publisher.
Community experiences
Patient reviews of Embrace Medical Centre
Personal reviews are moderated and shown separately from official CQC findings and the GP Patient Survey.
New
No approved community reviews yet.
Be the first to share a useful, factual experience.Registered scope
Services and regulated activities
Labels below come from the CQC location record and do not confirm current appointment availability.
Service types
Doctors/Gps
Regulated activities
Maternity and midwifery servicesFamily planningTreatment of disease, disorder or injuryDiagnostic and screening procedures
Specialisms
Services for everyone
Read this profile carefully
Evidence, not a league table.
CQC findings and GP Patient Survey results answer different questions and may cover different time periods. Neither confirms current appointment availability, NHS acceptance, opening hours or whether a provider is suitable for you.
Check the provider’s own website and the complete official CQC record before making a decision. If you need urgent medical help, use NHS 111 or call 999 in an emergency.
Independent lookup: Check My GP is not affiliated with the CQC, NHS or this provider. Providers cannot pay to change their rating or position. CQC data is reused under the Open Government Licence; GP Patient Survey results are published by NHS England and Ipsos.