Archived: Lister Medical Centre

Updated 23 March 2016

Letter from the Chief Inspector of General Practice

We carried out a comprehensive inspection at Lister Medical Centre on 08 October 2015. The practice was rated as good overall and in particular rated as good for effective, caring, responsive, well-led services and requires improvement for safe service.

During the inspection on 08 October 2015 we found that;

• Non-clinical staff acting as chaperones had not received disclosure and barring service checks before undertaking the role and no risk assessment was in place.
• The practice were issued with a requirement notice for improvement.

Following the previous inspection the practice sent us information about the actions they would take and when they would be implemented.

We then carried out a desk-top focused inspection of Lister Medical Centre on 10 February 2016 to follow-up on our previous inspection to ensure that the practice had made the required improvements. We were able to do this without visiting the premises as the practice sent us documentary evidence of the improvements they had made. 

Our key findings during this desk-top focused  inspection were as follows:

• The practice had undertaken a risk assessment to protect patients whilst chaperones were awaiting the relevant disclosure and barring service checks
• We were also provided with evidence that these checks were being processed.

We were therefore satisfied that the provider had made all of the improvements identified as a result of the inspection on 08 October 2015.

Professor Steve Field (CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP) 

Chief Inspector of General Practice

Updated 12 November 2015

The practice is rated as good for the care of people with long term conditions. GPs and nursing staff had lead roles in chronic disease management and had received training in cardiology, chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder, diabetes and asthma. Patients at risk of hospital admission were identified as a priority and care plans were in place. Registers were in place to enable the practice to monitor those with long-term conditions and with palliative care needs. Patients were reviewed annually and a system was in place to remind them to attend for their health check. Longer appointments, home visits and telephone consultations were available when needed. All patients had a named GP and a structured annual review to check that their health and medication needs were being met. Multidisciplinary team meetings took place with other healthcare professionals to meet the care and treatment needs of patients. Patient’s medicines were reviewed regularly.

Updated 12 November 2015

The practice is rated as good for the care of families, children and young people. Family planning, maternity and midwifery services were available for patients. A community midwife attended the practice twice each week to offer advice and guidance. Staff had received safeguarding training and were aware of the signs of abuse. Liaison was maintained with health visitors and school nursing teams to exchange information confidentially about safeguarding issues. Immunisation rates were relatively high for all standard childhood immunisations and some exceeded the local average. Appointments were available outside of school hours and the premises were suitable for children and babies. Antenatal and post-natal care was provided by clinical staff working at the practice. Cervical screening rates were in line with the national average. Full contraceptive and sexual health services were available.

Updated 12 November 2015

The practice is rated as good for the care of older people. The practice offered proactive, personalised care to meet the needs of the older people in its population. A surgery wheelchair was available for patients with limited mobility. Priority appointments were available to patients at times that suited them. Dedicated clinics and home visits were available for patients eligible for the flu vaccination who were housebound. Flu vaccination rates were higher than the national average. Annual health reviews, home visits and telephone consultations were available for older patients. Multidisciplinary meetings took place to assess the care needs of older patients to avoid an unplanned hospital admission. All older patients had a named GP. Health checks were available for those over the age of 75. The practice offered flexible appointment times for older people including longer consultations for multiple or complex issues. A hearing aid repair service was available at the practice.

Updated 12 November 2015

The practice is rated as good for the care of working age people (including those recently retired and students). The needs of the working age population, those recently retired and students had been identified and the practice had adjusted the services it offered to meet their needs. The practice was proactive in offering online services as well as a full range of health promotion and screening that reflected the needs for this age group. Appointments could be booked in person and on-line. Early morning appointments for blood tests were available for working people.

Updated 12 November 2015

The practice is rated as good for the care of people experiencing poor mental health (including people with dementia). Patients suffering with dementia were contacted to remind them of their appointment time. Dementia training for staff had been planned for October 2015. In-house mental health counselling was provided by qualified staff. Dementia diagnosis, investigation and support were readily available by experienced staff. Performance data reflected that the practice exceeded national averages across the mental health related indicators. Care plans were present for patients suffering with poor mental health and they were reviewed annually. Carers and relatives were identified and offered advice including access to external support groups. There was ready access to emergency mental health crisis teams.

Updated 12 November 2015

The practice is rated as good for the care of people whose circumstances make them vulnerable. The practice was aware of their vulnerable patients including those with learning disabilities, the homeless and the travelling community. Staff were aware of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 guidance. A register was in place for patients with learning disabilities, annual health reviews were carried out and longer appointments were available. Vulnerable patients resident in care homes were given a direct telephone number so that they could book appointments more easily. Staff knew how to recognise signs of abuse in vulnerable adults and children. Patients with a drug addiction received advice and guidance and relevant medical support. Information about support groups was readily available. Patients that were homeless and those from the travelling community could register at the practice and receive consultations, care and treatment.