Background to this inspection
Updated
22 August 2019
Dr Kalpana Kommalapati’s service (also known as Downsfield Medical Centre) is situated in a purpose built medical centre in the area of Sheldon, Birmingham. Public Health England data ranks the levels of deprivation in the area as one out of 10, with 10 being the least and one being the most deprived. The practice provides services to approximately 3,645 patients.
The service is registered to provide the regulated activities of Diagnostic and screening procedures, Maternity and midwifery services, Surgical procedures, Family planning and the Treatment of disease, disorder or injury.
The practice is led by a single handed female GP who is supported by a clinical team of three GPs, a practice nurse (female) and a healthcare assistant (female). The three GPs includes a male salaried GP and a male and female locum GP who both work at the practice on a long-term sessional basis. The practice is supported by a practice manager and team of administrative staff who cover reception, administrative and secretarial duties.
The practice is open between 9am and 6.30pm Monday to Wednesday and from 7am to 6.30pm on Thursdays and Fridays. Extended hours are available through a partner practice (Bosworth Medical Centre) on weekday evenings between 6.30pm and 8pm and on weekends between 9am and 12pm. The practice also offers earlier appointments from 7am on Thursdays and Fridays. There is a GP on call for emergency appointments between 8am – 9am. During afternoons when appointments are closed, patients are diverted to Badger who were contracted to provide in-hours telephone coverage for the practice.
For out of hours care patients are diverted to the GP out of hours service which is also provided by Badger as an out of hours service, when appointments are closed. Patients can also access advice through the NHS 111 service.
Updated
22 August 2019
Letter from the Chief Inspector of General Practice
We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection at Dr. Kommalapati on 11 January 2017. Overall the practice is rated as good.
Our key findings across all the areas we inspected were as follows:
- There was an open and transparent approach to safety and an effective system in place for reporting and recording significant events.
- Risks to patients were assessed and well managed.
- Staff assessed patients’ needs and delivered care in line with current evidence based guidance. Staff had been trained to provide them with the skills, knowledge and experience to deliver effective care and treatment.
- Patients said they were treated with compassion, dignity and respect and they were involved in their care and decisions about their treatment.
- Information about services and how to complain was available and easy to understand. Improvements were made to the quality of care as a result of complaints and concerns.
- Patients said they found it easy to make an appointment with a named GP and there was continuity of care, with urgent appointments available the same day.
- The practice had good facilities and was well equipped to treat patients and meet their needs.
- There was a clear leadership structure and staff felt supported by management. The practice proactively sought feedback from staff and patients, which it acted on.
- The provider was aware of and complied with the requirements of the duty of candour.
The areas where the provider should make improvement are:
- Review the response from the national patient survey to further consider areas not included in the practice survey for further improvement.
Professor Steve Field (CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP)
Chief Inspector of General Practice
Working age people (including those recently retired and students)
Updated
22 August 2019
People experiencing poor mental health (including people with dementia)
Updated
22 August 2019
People whose circumstances may make them vulnerable
Updated
22 August 2019