West Midlands' GP surgeries praised despite survey of ten worst
A Facebook engagement post carried out by the Express & Star has found out people who responded are generally happy with their GP practices and the service they provide.
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We carried out the straw poll in response to new research from Midland Health which uncovered serious concerns over the quality of care provided at several GP practices across the West Midlands. The private GP practice covers the Birmingham and Midland areas.
They ranked GP practices based on three crucial metrics - Quality and Outcomes Framework (QOF) achievements, Care Quality Commission (CQC) ratings, and NHS Patient Survey scores.
At the bottom of the list was the Great Barr Medical Practice, Queslett Road in Great Barr, with an overall score of just 36.4 out of 100. Despite being in a high-need area, this practice received low scores in both patient satisfaction and care quality.
Similar trends appear in practices across Birmingham and Walsall, including Mirfield Surgery and Pleck Health Centre, which scored 44.4 and 45.9, respectively,
But the Facebook survey was mainly positive, with Bilbrook Medical Centre getting a number of favourable mentions.
Cathy Cookson said; "Bilbrook Surgery is great. I never have any issues with appointments doctors, nurses and all reception/admin staff are so helpful."
Practice nurse Gemma Lynch said: " Bilbrook surgery is very good. Obviously they are stretched and getting through for an appointment on the phone is difficult but that’s not due to the surgery-it’s nationwide.
Wordsley Green Surgery near Stourbridge was also praised, with Edmund Scott saying: " They are truly amazing. Never ever have I had a problem getting an appointment to see a doctor. For me everyone who works there always give a professional service. "
Claire Jackson Jones said: "I'm with Lakeside Medical in Perton. The receptionists are lovely, especially Nicky. Dr Gupta is a wonderful GP, I wouldn't go elsewhere else. "
Streets Corner Surgery in Walsall Wood and Haden Vale Medical Practice in Cradley Heath are also praised, as is Penkridge Medical Practice of which Mike Rad said: " It is over subscribed by thousands due to all the new estates built locally but they cope very well under the circumstances.
"Emergency appointments get seen in the same day, bit of a wait for a normal appointment and more wait for the phlebotomist but in general, very good service under duress."
The main complaint in the Facebook poll was not being able to be seen quick enough.
10 worst-rated GP practices in the West Midlands - Midland Health Survey
Great Barr Medical Practice, Great Barr – Overall Score: 36.4
Mirfield Surgery, Birmingham – Overall Score: 44.4
Pleck Health Centre, Walsall – Overall Score: 45.9
St John’s Medical Centre, Walsall – Overall Score: 46.0
Bath Street Medical Centre, Dudley – Overall Score: 47.7
Phoenix Family Care, Coventry – Overall Score: 48.6
Selly Oak Health Centre, Birmingham – Overall Score: 48.7
New Street Surgery, Dudley – Overall Score: 49.3
Saltley and Fernbank Medical Practice, Birmingham – Overall Score: 49.4
Poolway Medical Centre, Birmingham – Overall Score: 49.9
