Somercotes Medical Centre

In June 2025 we visited Somercotes Medical Centre

We wanted to learn:

• What people thought about the service
• How easy it is for patients to book and access appointments
• How well communication methods and digital tools are working
• How inclusive and accessible the environment is
• What could be improved

Key findings

• Most people gave positive feedback about the care and staff at Somercotes Medical Centre
• Staff spoke warmly about their team and workplace environment
• The centre was found to be clean, welcoming and generally accessible
• Signage could be improved – both outside and inside, including clearer toilet and dementia-friendly exit signs
• The biggest area of concern was phone wait times, with some people unaware of other booking options such as the NHS App
• Awareness of the Health and Wellbeing drop-in sessions and NHS App training was low.
• Some people didn’t know they could ask for reasonable adjustments, such as a quieter space or longer appointment
• There is a hearing loop, but staff weren’t sure where it was located
• The waiting area was generally liked, though people suggested access to water, more space during busy times, and higher chairs for those with mobility issues would help

What we suggested

We made 24 recommendations to help the practice continue improving, including:

• Adding clearer signage inside and outside the building
• Making the website more accessible, with easier-to-find accessibility tools, translation options, and clearer language
• Increasing awareness of carer registration, reasonable adjustments, and drop-in health sessions through notice boards, waiting room screens and the website
• Improving access to a hearing loop and signage about it
• Considering water access, more child-friendly waiting area options, and patient input on background music

What’s happened since

The practice has already taken action on many of our recommendations - updating signage, reviewing website accessibility, adding TV screen messages, and planning further patient surveys to shape future improvements.

Thank you to the Somercotes Medical Centre team for welcoming us and to everyone who shared their experiences.‍

Read the full report to see all our findings and how the practice has responded.

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