Weoley Park Surgery

What CQC reported

The service is performing well and meeting our expectations.

People’s experience

In 2023 results from the National GP Patient Survey showed responses to questions relating to access were below the national average. Previous trends in the patient survey had been above the national average but had declined over the last two years.

Results from the Friends and Family Test were more positive. Of 153 responses between November 2023 and January 2024, 79% of patients rated the practice as good or very good. Among the responses received there were 12 comments which positively mentioned access and 4 negative.

There were two reviews left on the NHS Website relating to the practice, one of which the patient referred to difficulties in receiving a timely appointment.

Patient feedback gathered by the practice was also more positive. The practice had undertaken inhouse surveys relating specifically to access. Results from 112 patients between December and January 2024 showed 88% of patients responded positively to questions about accessing the service. However, these results cannot be directly compared to those of the GP National Patient Survey. The practice also shared complaints they had received in the last 12 months none of which related to access.

Minutes from a Patient Group Meeting in 2022 showed discussions about lengthy waits on the telephone when contacting the practice. The practice had informed the group that they were planning to implement a new cloud-based telephone system in the near future.

We recognise the pressure that practices are currently working under, and the efforts staff are making to maintain levels of access for their patients. At the same time, our strategy makes a commitment to deliver regulation driven by people’s needs and experiences of care. Although we saw the practice was attempting to improve access, this was not currently reflected in the GP patient survey data.