MP and GP partners agree service needs to improve

Victoria Prentis met with the practice management team after receiving comments from constituents

The standard of service at a local surgery is not good enough and needs to improve: that’s something Banbury’s MP says she agreed with the partners and Practice Manager at Deddington Health Centre.

Victoria Prentis recently attended one of the practice’s weekly meetings after receiving comments from constituents.

She heard that Deddington Health Centre was facing similar challenges to other surgeries across the country, but the rate of population growth in north Oxfordshire had amplified pressures on appointment availability locally.

Staff retention and recruitment were also highlighted during the discussion.

Mrs Prentis said: “The difficulties the surgery has faced with staffing hasn’t helped: a handful of staff have moved on and recruiting replacements has been challenging. However, I was reassured to learn that they have new GPs starting soon which it is hoped will bring much-needed additional capacity.”

Some of the Health Centre’s patients had contacted Mrs Prentis in relation to difficulties with the Health Centre’s telephone system.  This had been updated earlier in the year to give patients more information on waiting times.   Further enhancements are currently being considered which the partners hoped could mark a major improvement on appointment allocation.

Mrs Prentis agreed to take the wider concerns to the body which is in charge of local healthcare.   She said: “I agreed to raise the Partners’ concerns with the Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire West Integrated Care Board, who oversee primary care locally.

“I will be meeting the Head of Primary Care Infrastructure and Places Director next week to discuss what can be done to improve the situation.”

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Published: 18/08/2023 12:30pm by Banbury FM Newsteam

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