Archived: White Lodge Medical Practice

White Lodge Medical Practice is a town-centre based general practice, with approximately 11,600 registered patients at the time of our inspection.

White Lodge Medical Practice is registered to carry on the regulated activities of Maternity and midwifery services, Family planning services, Treatment of disease, disorder or injury, Surgical procedures, and Diagnostic and screening procedures. The site comprises a main GP practice building, and an adjoining facility, Enfield treatment centre, where doctors’ training and tutorials are provided, minor surgeries, phlebotomy by local hospital staff, and counselling services. We visited the practice site as part of our inspection.

The staff team includes ten doctors, four of whom were female, a practice nurse, practice manager, reception and administrative staff teams.

We spoke with patients in the practice during our inspection and also received feedback in our comments box that was made available at the practice for a number of days before and after our inspection. The feedback we received  was very positive about the practice, with people commenting favourably about their care and treatment, saying they were listened to and that the practice responded to their needs at the right time. The most recent survey results showed that patient satisfaction with their GP was particularly high. We saw that the practice took comments and complaints seriously, responded to them and made changes.

The practice reviewed its care and treatment arrangements and made changes as a result. Members of staff received appropriate training, and were subject to background checks. The premises were kept secure through daily checks and there were refurbishment plans in progress. Medicines were appropriately managed, and there were arrangements in place to respond to emergencies.

Best practice was promoted through the practice’s policies and procedures and staff meeting discussions. Health outcomes for patients were monitored and the information used to plan their care.

Patient feedback showed that people felt they were well cared for, and treated with dignity and respect.

The practice responded to people’s needs, and supported people to obtain appointments in a timely manner. People with particular needs, such as long term conditions, were supported to have their needs met. Complaints were effectively managed within the practice.

There were clear lines of responsibilities for governance in the practice. Quality and performance was regularly reviewed and monitored. Staff felt valued and supported in the practice, and patient feedback was sought and acted on.

We found good examples of how White Lodge Medical Practice was meeting the needs of each of the population groups we report on. Older people and people who were physically frail received additional support through regular reviews and, if required, had home visits. People with long term conditions were also encouraged to have additional monitoring and reviews, and the practice had good working relationships with other providers such as hospitals and community health teams to ensure people received ongoing care. The practice carried post natal checks for new mothers and child immunisations.