Humshaugh and Wark Medical Group

Updated 30 November 2023

Humshaugh and Wark Medical Group is located at The Surgery, Humshaugh, Hexham, Northumberland NE46 4BU. It has 1 branch site.

The provider is registered to deliver the regulated activities of diagnostic and screening procedures; maternity and midwifery services; treatment of disease, disorder or injury; and, surgical procedures.

The practice is situated within the NHS North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board (ICB) and delivers a General Medical Services contract (GMS) to a patient population of over 3,500 patients. This is part of a contract held with NHS England. The practice is part of a wider Primary Care Network (PCN).

Humshaugh and Wark Medical Group has a higher than the national average percentage of patients in the over 65 age group, and lower levels of income deprivation when compared to other practices in the local area.

The practice is open between 8am to 6pm Monday to Friday The practice offers a range of appointment types including telephone consultations and advance appointments.

Out of hours services are provided by 111

Updated 30 November 2023

We carried out a targeted assessment of Humshaugh and Wark Medical Group in relation to the responsive key question. This assessment was carried out on 16 November 2023 without a site visit. Overall, the practice is rated as Good. We rated the key question of responsive as Good.

Safe - Good

Effective – Good

Caring - Good

Responsive – Good

Well-led – Good

The full reports for previous inspections can be found by selecting the ‘all reports’ link for the Humshaugh and Wark Medical Group on our website at www.cqc.org.uk

Why we carried out this inspection

This inspection was a targeted assessment of the key question of responsive.

How we carried out the inspection

This inspection was carried remotely.

This included:

• Conducting staff interviews using video conferencing.
• Requesting evidence from the provider.

Our findings

We based our judgement of the quality of care at this service on a combination of:

• what we found when we inspected
• information from our ongoing monitoring of data about services and
• information from the provider, patients, the public and other organisations.

We found that:

• Patients were satisfied with how easy it was to get through on the phone, the experience of making an appointment and the appointment times offered. This was reflected in the National GP survey.
• Patients were less satisfied with the type of appointment they were offered. According to the National GP survey this fell slightly below the national averages.
• The practice understood the needs of its local population.
• The practice had worked collaboratively within its primary care network and GP federation to ensure additional types of appointments and extended hours were available.
• The practice dealt with complaints in a timely manner and learned from them.

Whilst we found no breaches of regulations, the provider should:

• Continue to develop solutions to provide better access to their patients.

Details of our findings and the evidence supporting our ratings are set out in the evidence tables.

Dr Sean O’Kelly BSc MB ChB MSc DCH FRCA

Chief Inspector of Hospitals and Interim Chief Inspector of Primary Medical Services