The Limes Medical Centre

Updated 5 February 2015

The Limes Medical Practice is located on the outskirts of Epping Town. The practice services a large geographical area that covers Epping, North Weald, Theydon Bois, Nazeing and Waltham Abbey. The Limes Medical Practice provides services for approximately 23,000 patients living in the area. The practice has five branch surgeries, including two small surgeries in Nazeing and North Weald. The branch surgeries were not visited as part of this inspection.

The practice is a partnership between six GPs. The practice employs seven salaried GPs, two advanced nurse practitioners, five practice nurses and five health care assistants. In addition there is a team of administrative and reception staff who support the practice.

The Limes Medical Practice is a teaching practice and a number of GP Registrars (GPs in training) are working at the practice.

The practice is open between 8am and 6.30pm on weekdays. Pre-booked early morning and appointments from 7am on Tuesdays and Wednesdays; and late evening appointments up to 8pm on Mondays and Thursdays were available. Same day and pre-booked advance appointments may be made in person, by telephone or online. The practice offers a 24 hour telephone access system where patients can book, cancel or reschedule appointments.

The Limes Medical Practice does not provide an out-of-hours service to patients. Details of how to access out-of-hours emergency and non-emergency treatment and advice was available within the practice and on its website.

Updated 5 February 2015

Letter from the Chief Inspector of General Practice

We conducted a scheduled announced inspection on 15 October 2014 under the new approach.

Our key findings were as follows:

• The practice was warm, friendly, caring and responsive. The practice listened to and acted on the views of patients. Following concerns raised about telephone access, an analysis of telephone calls was carried out to identify times during the day when the practice experienced high volumes of telephone calls. As a result of the analysis extra staff were deployed to take telephone calls to reduce patient waiting times.
• The practice provided a safe service in an environment which was well managed and risks to staff and patients were identified and minimised.
• Staff were trained and supported to deliver high quality patient care and treatment and to improve outcomes and experiences for patients. The practice provided flexible options for patients to book, reschedule and cancel their appointments. Patients could book and rearrange routine and non-urgent appointments using the practice 24 hour automated telephone booking system or online via the practice website.

The practice offered free Wi Fi to patients so that they could access the internet while they waited for their appointments.

Professor Steve Field (CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP) 

Chief Inspector of General Practice