The Care Quality Commission
  • Doctor
  • GP practice

Colchester Medical Limited Also known as North Colchester Healthcare Centre

Overall: Good read more about inspection ratings

Turner Road, Colchester, Essex, CO4 5JR (01206) 481250

Provided and run by:
Colchester Medical Limited

All Inspections

6 July 2023

During a monthly review of our data

We carried out a review of the data available to us about Colchester Medical Limited on 6 July 2023. We have not found evidence that we need to carry out an inspection or reassess our rating at this stage.

This could change at any time if we receive new information. We will continue to monitor data about this service.

If you have concerns about Colchester Medical Limited, you can give feedback on this service.

29 June 2022

During a routine inspection

We carried out an announced inspection at Colchester Medical Limited on 29 June 2022. Overall, the practice is rated as good.

The ratings for each key question are:

Safe - good

Effective - good

Caring - good

Responsive - good

Well-led - good

The provider registered this location with CQC on 30 March 2020. They had not previously been inspected due to the impact on our inspection program from the Covid-19 pandemic.

Why we carried out this inspection

This inspection was a comprehensive first inspection to rate a new location.

How we carried out the inspection

Throughout the pandemic CQC has continued to regulate and respond to risk. However, taking into account the circumstances arising as a result of the pandemic, and in order to reduce risk, we have conducted our inspections differently.

This inspection was carried out in a way which enabled us to spend a minimum amount of time on site. This was with consent from the provider and in line with all data protection and information governance requirements.

This included:

  • Conducting staff interviews using video conferencing
  • Completing clinical searches on the practice’s patient records system and discussing findings with the provider
  • Reviewing patient records to identify issues and clarify actions taken by the provider
  • Requesting evidence from the provider
  • A short site visit

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 have rated this practice as Good overall

We found that:

  • The practice provided care in a way that kept patients safe and protected them from avoidable harm.
  • The practice held appropriate emergency medicines and equipment to keep people safe.
  • Patients received effective care and treatment that met their needs.
  • Staff dealt with patients with kindness and respect and involved them in decisions about their care. Patient feedback was positive, and the GP survey results were in line with local and national findings.
  • The practice adjusted how it delivered services to meet the needs of patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. Patients could access care and treatment in a timely way.
  • The way the practice was led and managed promoted the delivery of quality, person-centre care.

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

  • Review the process to identify carers to increase the number identified and therefore increase the number of carers offered support.
  • Continue to improve the uptake of childhood immunisations for measles, mumps and rubella.
  • Continue to improve the uptake of cervical cancer screening.
  • Develop the nursing team to provide consistent onsite nurse support for the health care assistant and to increase oversight of infection control processes.

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

Dr Rosie Benneyworth BM BS BMedSci MRCGP

Chief Inspector of Primary Medical Services and Integrated Care