Political figures have expressed their desire to improve GP services in Royton after complaints from patients.

Royton Medical Centre (RMC) on Chapel Street was given a rating of "requires improvement" by watchdog, the Care Quality Commission, this month, scoring "inadequate" in one area.

READ MORE: Royton GP surgery 'requires improvement' after breaching legal regulations

The Oldham Times reported throughout summer that patients were facing an uphill battle to book a GP appointment at both RMC and Royton and Crompton Family Practice on Park Street, presenting concerns for the most vulnerable in the area.

READ MORE: ‘You hope you don’t get sick’: Royton residents blast battle for GP appointment

But despite assurances from the council that it was investigating the practices, the CQC report suggests little improvements have been made at RMC.

A major area of concern highlighted in the report has been around leadership where it was rated "inadequate", the lowest possible rating.

READ MORE: Anger as residents 'struggle' to get GP appointments months after council probe

Inspectors found leaders at the surgery could not demonstrate that they could deliver high-quality care.

The surgery is currently managed by Oldham's deputy mayor, Dr Zahid Chauhan, a former healthcare cabinet cabinet member on the council.

The council declined to comment about the CQC report last week, but the local authority's leader, who represents Royton South, Cllr Amanda Chadderton, said she has "acted" this week by bringing healthcare leaders from both the Royton practices together.

Cllr Chadderton said a meeting revealed patient care is a key concern for Roytoners and that she made a "public commitment" that the council will work with the NHS "to help Oldhamers live better lives".

She added: "What is clear from residents in Royton is that our GP services must improve."

While RMC has received a poor report from the CQC, Royton and Crompton Family Practice received a "good" rating across the board in its November inspection.

However, patients have claimed they face similar difficulty at the surgery when it comes to booking a GP appointment.

In the summer, the practice said it "recognises the difficulties patients experience when requesting appointments" and said that historically, appointments were booked online, in person and via the telephone.

It added it has suffered from an "exponential increase" in demand post-Covid and that it has set up additional systems as well as a pilot platform to try to mitigate against the rise.

Cllr Chadderton said the council met with GPs from across the two surgeries and with Oldham's NHS leaders to discuss an action plan.

She added: "We also agreed that given the level of concern, progress reports will be brought to future meetings of Oldham Council’s cabinet.

“We will keep Roytoners in the loop throughout this process to ensure that services get better for them.”

Cllr Steven Bashforth, deputy cabinet member for health and social care who also represents Royton South, added: "There is no easy fix to this problem, but we will continue working with them until we get it right."

The Oldham Conservatives confirmed that they have been working "for some time" to address the GP issues in Royton.

Royton North Cllr Dave Arnott said: “Myself and Cllr Quigg have been contacted by several residents regarding the service that they receive from GP practices in Royton. 

"Of particular concern has been the difficulty in securing a face-to-face appointment."

Cllr Arnott said his party held several meetings with constituents, wrote to the Royton GP surgeries in October and offered to chair a meeting.

However, he said "no reply" on the offer has been received but noted this was before the CQC's report was made public.

The councillors now have a meeting scheduled this week with representatives from NHS Greater Manchester Integrated Care Trust.

Jim McMahon, MP for Oldham West and Royton, also said he had expressed concern - primarily about the pressures health services are enduring amid a high backlog exacerbated by the pandemic.

The former council leader said: "Across Oldham, our hospital has been judged 'requires improvement', and we have eight care homes and four primary care practices with the same inspection outcome too.

“Following the CQC inspection in Royton, I have sought and received assurances from the practice that the findings of the inspection have been acknowledged, and that there is a plan in place to ensure all aspects of care are to the highest possible standard.”

Mr McMahon, who himself was an inpatient at Oldham hospital a few weeks ago, said he saw "first-hand" how the health service "is under immense strain with staff working hard to keep things going".

"It is vital staff on the frontline are given the resources they need to give patients the care they need wherever it takes place", he added.

Dr Chauhan has been contacted on behalf of RMC for comment, and Royton and Crompton Family Practice has also been approached.