Priti Patel MP with the Silver End Surgery team
Priti Patel MP visits Silver End Surgery
The MP for Witham, Priti Patel, has been visiting the Silver End Surgery for a tour and discussion of the latest Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspection in April, which has indicated improvements have been made and given the practice an overall rating of ‘good’. This follows a very critical report it issued in January 2018.
Commenting after her visit to the surgery on Friday (11.10.19), Priti said: “It was good to meet up with the new Service Manager, Pauline Doyle, who has been overseeing the improvements at Silver End Surgery. The CQC inspection earlier this year provided welcome signs that the practice is turning the corner but I am keen to ensure that there is no complacency either at Virgin Care or among NHS leaders and that it continues to improve. I worked closely with Mid Essex CCG and NHS England to secure these essential service improvements for local patients. I will continue to monitor the situation.”
Service Manager, Pauline Doyle added: “We were very pleased to see Priti and show her the improvements we have made at the surgery. These have included three regular long-term GPs instead of regularly changing locums, a dedicated staff member to deal with repeat prescriptions and a new telephone system being put in place, which increases the number of lines into the surgery and provides a special line for repeat prescriptions.”
“This has been a real team effort and it is great to show the progress we have made to Priti, but we realise we still have more to do as we want to provide the best possible service for people living in the community and, ultimately, be judged as outstanding by the inspectors.”
The surgery is now open from 7.30am, Monday to Thursday which is a great help to commuters, parents and children, who can get early appointments without missing work or school. There is a weekly clinic for patients who require frequent blood tests and monitoring due to medication they take to reduce the risk of strokes or blood clots. Previously, they would have to travel every week to sites further from where they live, as this was not available.
Employees have also been undertaking Dementia Friends training and a monthly dementia café drop-in for those with this condition and their carers begins this month.