Suffolk MP raises concerns over quality of patient care at Ipswich GP practice
Dr. Dan Poulter, who is an NHS doctor himself, has referred Cardinal Medical Practice to the Care Quality Commission
Last updated 30th Sep 2021
Dr. Dan Poulter, MP for Central Suffolk and North Ipswich, has written to the chief executive of the Care Quality Commission, asking them to look into concerns over poor quality patient care at an Ipswich GP practice.
He says Cardinal Medical Practice, which has branches on Chesterfield Drive, Norwich Road and Deben Road, was the subject of persistent complaints about long waiting times for telephone appointments, lengthy delays in obtaining virtual consultation and no access to in-person consultations for those who need it.
The practice serves a little over 30,000 registered patients
Dr. Poulter says he received numerous complaints from concerned citizens, local parish councils and clinicians at Ipswich Hospital.
In the letter addressed to the Chief Executive of the commission, Ian Trenholm, he talks about patients having to wait longer than an hour to get through to the practice via telephone.
Other concerns include waiting periods longer than one or two days for electronic correspondence with the practice and patients receiving virtual consultation appointments many days and in some cases weeks after making the original phone call.
Perhaps the most worrying concern was from clinicians at Ipswich Hospital, who Dr. Poulter says in his letter, are concerned that patients are not being investigated thoroughly by the practice leading to some cases presenting even more unwell when they get to the hospital.
In a statement, Dr Poulter says, “I have contacted the surgery directly and understand that it has recognised that it needs to improve patient services and experience, but improvements have not taken place in a timely manner and this is why I have now raised my concerns directly with the Care Quality Commission.”
The matter has also been taken up with the NHS Ipswich and East Suffolk Clinical Commissioning Group.
We've contacted the medical practice for comment.