Inspectors from the Care Quality Commission (CQC) said the Reading Walk In Centre in the Broad Street Mall needed to address its provision for increasing patient numbers and for non-English speakers.

Concerns over the appointment booking system and correct procedures being maintained with repeat prescriptions were also raised.

The service was said to be safe and caring but required more action in dealing with the 7,700 plus residents who are registered with the practice.

As well as registered patients the centre also deals with patients not registered with a GP and this added pressure was noted in the report, published yesterday.

Following a one day inspection on January 28 the CQC team spoke with GPs, nurses, reception staff and patients as they assessed the level of health care at the town centre practice.

Professor Steve Field, chief inspector of general practice, led the team of five in their one-day visit.

In his report Professor Field highlighted a number of areas where the centre required improvements in its services.

He noted the patients they spoke with were “largely dissatisfied” with the appointment booking system and that the repeat prescription process needed to be reviewed.

The report read: “The practice had worked with some specific sections of the local population, such as the Nepalese community. However, not all sections of the local community were considered in the planning of the service.”

Professor Field added: “The practice had a highly diverse patient population and significant levels of vulnerable patients. It was a challenge for the practice to meet the needs of all these groups.

Some areas of service were praised by inspectors who noted satisfaction with the seven day a week, 8am to 8pm, opening hours.

The report also said: “The practice was using innovative an pro-active methods to improve patient outcomes such as diagnosing diabetes among at risk groups.”

Inspectors awarded a ‘good’ rating in the categories of safety, caring and being a well-led service.

A spokesman for the centre, which opened in August 2009, said the rise in numbers was due to more existing residents signing up, rather than population increase.

Dr Gerard D’Cruz, GP and Chairman for Assura Reading LLP who run the centre, said: “Patients continue to tell us they really like the service at Reading Walk in Health Centre and 2,000 more patients have registered in the last three years. We have recruited doctors to meet that demand and we’ll continue to do this as more patients chose to join the practice.”