In December 2023 Healthwatch England initiated a project about understanding people’s experiences of diagnostic services. Healthwatch North and West Northamptonshire participated by visiting Corby’s Willowbrook Health Centre, evaluating accessibility and gathering patient feedback.
The key findings
Accessibility and transport:
- The centre is accessible by public transport, with a bus stop nearby.
- Issues with parking availability, especially for disabled spaces, which were sometimes occupied by mobile diagnostic vans.
Facilities and environment:
- The diagnostic services visited (phlebotomy and ultrasound) were quiet and pleasant, with clean and comfortable seating.
- Some patients had to stand due to limited seating in the waiting area shared by ultrasound, x-ray, and urgent care.
Staff and patient interaction:
- Staff were friendly and respectful of patient privacy and dignity.
- There was a lack of usage and signage for hearing loops, and no posters informing patients about accessible information standards.
Patient feedback:
- Most patients found the location convenient and the staff to be the best part of their experience.
- Issues highlighted included the need for improved parking and a larger waiting room.
Read the full report below for more in depth information on our observations of the centre, patient feedback and recommendations we made.
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