A SWINDON medical practice has been told it "requires improvement" after a report by health service inspectors.

Inspectors from the Care Quality Commission (CQC) visited the Abbey Meads Medical Group in Elsetree Way and the Penhill Practice, which is also run by the company, on October 28 and 29 last year.

And the inspectors said the overall rating for the practices was "requires improvement" after inspecting a number of criteria.

Inspectors said one key failing was on waiting times for appointments.

“Patients were able to get an urgent appointment when they needed one. However, the waiting times for routine appointments with a specific GP was three to four weeks,” the report read.

It said patients were treated by suitably qualified staff and that staff were "caring and treated patients with kindness and respect".

The report listed improvements the provider must make in the coming months.

It said: “(The provider must) ensure administrative staff undertaking chaperone duties have a criminal records check via the Disclosure and Barring Service.

“Ensure the practice recruitment policy is followed when recruiting staff. For example, ensuring the appropriate number of references have been received.

“Ensure there are systems to assess, monitor and address risks to standards of cleanliness and hygiene and prevention of infection.”

The report also said the practice should improve in areas such as ensuring the child protection policy features details of other agencies to contact, and to develop a system to ensure equipment such as scissors and wound closures are in date.

The practice, which was unable to comment when contacted by the Adver, says on its website: “Abbey Meads Medical Group is committed to providing high quality primary health care under the NHS, in an efficient, effective, modern and friendly setting.

“Working in partnership with patients to achieve excellence and education in healthcare. It is our aim to: promote full and appropriate use of the Primary Health Care Team in the pursuit of better patient care, develop the range of services and degree of patient choice available within the primary care setting, promote informed patient choice through health education, help patients to a better understanding of their illnesses through disease management clinics.”

For the full CQC report, log on to www.cqc.org.uk/location/1-545363187.