A new temporary provider has been put in place at St Werburgh Medical Practice in Hoo, following the CQC’s recent urgent enforcement action meaning the registered provider cannot currently see patients.
Medway Practices Alliance (MPA), the GP federation that brings together practices and GPs from across Medway to develop quality healthcare, now has staff based at St Werburgh Medical Practice, Bells Lane, running the surgery.
MPA is also working with neighbouring practices The Elms Medical Centre, Tilley Close, and Highparks Medical Practice, Park Side, Cliffe Woods, both of which will be supporting MPA with providing patient care if the need arises.
Wilf Williams, Accountable Officer at NHS Kent and Medway Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), which plans and buys health services, said: “The most important thing to note is that patients do not need to take any action. We are very grateful to MPA, The Elms Medical Centre and Highparks Medical Practice for stepping in at short notice to ensure services are maintained and any disruption to patient care is kept to a minimum. We had to put a temporary solution in place for a couple of days following the CQC action but in under three working days, we have a new provider ready to see patients.”
CQC inspectors visited St Werburgh Medical Practice on Friday 19 June 2020. As a result of this inspection, the CQC took urgent enforcement action at 5pm on Wednesday 24 June to protect patients using services there, and also in their branch surgeries of Stoke Village Hall and the Yellow Suite at Balmoral Gardens Healthy Living Centre.
The registered provider has been in place at St Werburgh Medical Practice and its branch surgeries since 1 September 2018, providing care for some 11,000 patients. The other practices at Balmoral Gardens Healthy Living Centre are unaffected by the CQC’s decision and operating as usual, including Green Suite.
Wilf Williams said: “Now that MPA is based at St Werburgh, patients will be able to book appointments and get their prescriptions as usual, including those who use apps such as Patient Access. Due to Covid-19, many appointments are currently being conducted virtually but if patients need to see a healthcare professional, that can be arranged by calling the main surgery. As the situation develops we may need to call on other nearby surgeries for support but patients will be seen at their own surgery wherever possible.”
Clinics at the branch surgeries will also be available soon but in the meantime, patients can call St Werburgh Medical Practice to arrange an appointment.
Wilf Williams continued: “We are trying to keep patients up-to-date with what has been a fast-changing situation so I would advise those registered at St Werburgh to keep an eye on the CCG’s website and social media channels. As the CQC took urgent action over concerns about the safe delivery of services, unfortunately it was impossible to inform patients prior to their decision.”
For the latest information on St Werburgh Medical Practice, please visit www.kentandmedwayccg.nhs.uk.