Northampton GP surgery rated 'good' by health watchdog despite petition to save practice in midst of funding battle
A GP surgery in Northampton has been rated ‘good’ by the health watchdog, despite being in the middle of a funding battle, which has led to a petition to save the practice.
Penvale Park Medical Centre in Hardwick Road, Wootton, run by Shreeji Medical Centre – which also runs Earls Barton Medical Centre - was inspected by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) in November, 2025.
In a report published this week, the practice was rated ‘good’ in all five categories: safe, effective, caring, well-led and responsive. Inspectors said staff expressed their commitment to “always treating people with kindness, empathy and compassion and respected their privacy and dignity”.
The GP surgery had undergone a period of uncertainty, following issues with the former provider. The new providers took over in 2024 and CQC inspectors note in their latest report that the new providers have “demonstrated that improvements have been made since the last CQC assessment”, when the service was rated ‘inadequate’ in 2021.
In the report, inspectors said: “The service had a good learning culture, and patients could raise concerns. Managers investigated incidents thoroughly. Patients were protected and kept safe.
"Staff understood and managed risks. There were enough staff with the right skills, qualifications and experience.
"Managers made sure staff received training and regular appraisals to maintain high-quality care.
“Leaders and staff had a shared vision and culture based on listening, learning and trust. Leaders were visible, knowledgeable and supportive, helping staff develop in their roles.”
Inspectors added that managers made “positive changes” because of feedback from the active patient participation group.
Earlier this month, Shreeji Medical Centre launched a petition to save both Penvale Park and Earls Barton Medical Centres, as bosses claim funding has reduced further and there has been “ongoing inconsistency in certain payments”. View the petition here.
The provider is also calling on the Northamptonshire Integrated Care Board (ICB) to confirm a stable funding and payment position, confirm a timetable for premises improvement support and confirm a dated, independent resolution meeting with decision-makers present to address the issues with a definitive outcome on the day.
The ICB says it is in “ongoing discussions” with the provider to “agree mediation sessions”.