Updated 17 February 2023
Barnsbury Medical Practice (the practice) is operated by Islington GP Group Limited (the provider) at 8 Bingfield Street, London N1 0AL. The location is a purpose-built healthcare facility - Bingfield Primary Care Centre – run by the local NHS Trust, which the practice shares with a number of other services. These include the local community gynaecology service, which is also operated by the provider.
The provider is registered with CQC to deliver the Regulated Activities; diagnostic and screening procedures, family planning, maternity and midwifery services and treatment of disease, disorder or injury in relation to the practice.
The provider operates the practice under caretaking arrangement with the service commissioner, the North Central London Integrated Care System (ICS), not under a standard medical services contract. The arrangement commenced in January 2021 and runs until December 2023.
The practice is part of a network, the South Islington Primary Care Network (PCN) made up of seven local practices, sharing some resources and staff.
The practice provides services to approximately 4,300 patients. Information published by Office for Health Improvement and Disparities shows that deprivation within the practice population group is in the third lowest decile (third of 10). The lower the decile, the more deprived the practice population is relative to others. According to the latest available data, the ethnic make-up of the practice area is approximately 61% White; 14% Asian, 14% Black, 6% Mixed, and 4% Other. The practice has more working age patients than the local and national averages, with fewer younger and older people.
The clinical team is made up of six GPs (four female, two male), three of whom work remotely. There is a bank or regular locums, used to cover when necessary. There are two practice nurses, one working remotely and a trainee nurse; a trainee nurse associate; a healthcare assistant / administrator. Another nurse is due to start at the practice in February 2023. The practice shares two clinical pharmacists and a paramedic with the other practices within the PCN.
The administrative team consists of an acting practice manager, who at the time of the inspection was supported by the provider’s Operations Manager and its Network & Infrastructure Manager; and five administrator / receptionists. More recruitment is ongoing.
The practice is open between 8:00am and 6:30pm Monday to Friday, with appointments available throughout the day. The practice offers a range of appointment types including book on the day, telephone consultations and advance appointments. Appointment requests from patients are triaged by a duty clinician to assess if a face-to-face consultation is necessary.
An extended access service is provided at three locations in the borough, where late evening and weekend appointments are available. These operate from 6:30pm - 8:00pm, Monday to Friday; 9:00am - 8:00pm on Saturdays; and 8:00am – 8:00pm Sundays and public holidays. Service appointments can be booked by contacting the practice.
The out of hours services can be contacted by telephoning NHS111.