STATEMENT OF PURPOSE
This is a Statement of Purpose for The Village Practice (CQC ID1-567759493.)
Aim
Our aim is to provide high quality medical care, including appropriate health promotion and disease prevention activity, to all patients registered at our practice.
The environment and equipment
To provide an environment which balances the requirements of a clinical space with the needs of a consulting room in which patients often need to discuss difficult issues and benefit from non-clinical support i.e. an environment that:
- Meets the national standards for cleanliness and infection control
- Complies with all relevant safety regulation
- Is comfortable.
To ensure that all equipment is safe and effective by annual testing.
The care
To understand and meet the needs of our patients, involve them in decision making about their treatment and care and encourage them to participate fully.
To ensure that all members of the team have the right skills and training to carry out their duties competently.
To ensure that all patients are treated with respect, and their dignity and privacy maintained.
To provide a chaperone whenever needed.
To provide access to a high quality and independent translation service when appropriate.
Working with other professionals
To involve other professionals in the care of our patients where it is the patient’s best interests, i.e. referrals for specialist care and advice.
To communicate effectively with all professionals involved in a patient’s care.
To work effectively with other members of the wider primary care team.
To ensure that all members of staff have appropriate indemnity.
Our Vision
To be a trusted, forward-thinking healthcare hub at the heart of our community – where every patient feels heard, valued, and supported to live a healthy, fulfilling life.
Our Mission
To deliver accessible, high-quality medical care with empathy and integrity, supporting every patient’s health journey through personal, preventative, and continuous care.
Our Core Values
We are guided by values that shape everything we do:
Respect – recognising the dignity and individuality of every patient.
Compassion – showing care and understanding in every interaction.
Integrity – upholding honesty, professionalism, and trust.
Inclusivity – providing equitable care to people of all backgrounds and needs.
Teamwork – collaborating with patients, carers, and healthcare partners.
Learning – always improving based on experience, evidence, and feedback.
Confidentiality
To ensure that confidentiality is maintained at all times by managing all contact with patients appropriately and sensitively including telephone conversations, face to face encounters, and handling of computerised and paper records.
Listening to patients
To carry out patient satisfactions surveys and use the results to make change when required.
To respond to complaints appropriately and take any necessary remedial action.
To develop, and to consult with, the patient participation group.
Systems
To operate an appointment system which, within the constraints of the resources available, ensures quick and easy access to the doctor or nurse of choice, as much as possible at a time that is convenient for the patient.
To ensure that patients are fully informed about the service including:
- Details of the staff
- What services are provided and when
- How to access the services
- How to communicate with relevant team members
- How to express dissatisfaction with the service and/or pursue a formal complaint
- Details of fees for services which are not covered by the NHS e.g. medical reports, etc.
Training
We are a training practice and are committed to providing a high quality experience to trainees.We maintain full and appropriate supervision and support to ensure the safety of our patients.
Regulated activities
The practice is registered for the following regulated activities:
- treatment of disease, disorder or injury
- diagnostic and screening procedures
- maternity and midwifery services
- family planning services
Services
Services provided include:
- General medical care
- Contraceptive advice
- Chronic disease management (including asthma, COPD, heart failure, diabetes, hypertension)
- Cardiovascular risk assessment
- Spirometry
- 24 hour blood pressure monitoring
- ECG
- Cervical cytology
- Joint injections
- Child heath surveillance
- Immunisations and travel advice
Service users
Our service users are our registered population which includes:
- people of all ages
- people with learning disabilities
- people with physical disabilities
- people with mental health problems
- people with dementia
- people from a range of ethnic and cultural backgrounds
Non NHS Services
Our Practice also provides services which are non NHS and are paid for by the patient. These services include:
- Insurance claim forms
- Pre-employment and HGV medicals
- Fostering and adoption medicals
Location
All the registered activities are undertaken at our main site. The Village Practice, Thornton Medical Centre, Church Road, Thornton Cleveleys, FY5 2TZ
Facilities at the Thornton Medical Centre
The Village Practice Centre is a modern purpose-built facility incorporating some of the previous health centre building at the same site. Facilities include:
- A large waiting room
- Toilet facilities
- Car park
- Disabled access for patients to all public areas.
- Disabled access for staff to all relevant areas.
- Hearing loop
The Thornton Practice operates from the same health centre. Some facilities are shared e.g. the waiting room, toilets etc.
The following professionals and facilities are also based at, or use, the Health Centre:
- Treatment room (run by the district nursing service offering complex wound care)
- Community midwife team
- Health Visitor team
- Other visiting services
Security and confidentiality at the Thornton Medical Centre
The secure administration area is located away from the public areas; electronic key access is required ensuring the safety of confidential documents.
Telephone calls are answered in the secure administration area and cannot be overheard by members of the public.
Receptionists who work at the reception desk are trained and experienced in maintaining confidentiality.
The Partnership
Dr Vinesh Sobha
Bsc (hons), MBChB, MRCGP, MSc (Diabetes). Registered 2005 (Manchester UK)
Dr Helen Steiner
MBBS., MRCGP., DFFP., BSC. (Hons). Registered 1990 (London UK)
Salaried GP’s
Dr Ben Allen
Dr Saira Shabbir
Registered CQC manager
Dr Vinesh Sobha
Address for service
The Village Practice
Thornton Medical Cantre
Church Road
Thornton Cleveleys
FY5 2TZ
01253 204333
Reviewed by: Dr Vinesh Sobha (registered manager)
Review Date: November 2025