Central Dales Practice

Updated 16 October 2017

The Central Dales Practice (main practice), The Health Centre, Hawes, North Yorkshire, DL8 3QR and Aysgarth Surgery (branch practice), Aysgarth, Leyburn, North Yorkshire DL8 3AA are rural practices covering approximately 500 geographical square miles and has a patient list of approximately 4, 260 patients across the two practices (Hawes and Aysgarth). The registered patient list size is 96% white British background. The practice is ranked in the eighth least deprived decile, (one being the most deprived and 10 being the least deprived). The practice age profile differs from the England average with the highest age range being 65 years plus and the lowest being zero to four year olds and patients 85 years plus. The practice is a dispensing practice and dispenses to approximately 73.5% of their patients across the two practices. This means the practice can dispense prescribed medication to registered patients who live more than a mile from a Pharmacy/ Chemist. The practice is run by four partners (two male and two female) made up ofthree GPs and one practice manager. There are two practice nurses (female) and a health care assistant (female). There is a team of reception/dispensing staff. Hambleton, Richmondshire and Whitby CCG funds a Pharmacist to work at the branch practice one day a fortnight until June 2018.

The practice is open at Hawes on a Monday to Friday between 8.45am to 6.00pm (phone lines open from 8.30am to 6.00pm). The branch practice at Aysgarth is open Monday to Friday 9.00am to 6.00pm (phone lines open 8.30am to 6.00pm). The practice offers a mixture of open access appointments and booked appointments daily at both practices. Open access appointments are available every weekday morning at the main practice from 8.45am to 10.15am and at the branch practice from 9am to 10.30am. These appointments are on a first come first serve basis. Pre-booked appointments are available every weekday afternoon at the main practice from 5pm to 6pm and at the branch practice from 4pm to 5.30pm. The practice does not provide extended hours after a previous trial period with zero take up.

The practice has opted out of providing out-of-hours services to its own patients. Out of hours patients are directed to Harrogate District Foundation Trust (the contracted out-of-hours provider) via the 111 service. They can offer self-help advice and treatment or refer you into the GP Out of Hours service (based at Harewood Medical Practice, 42 Richmond Road, Catterick Garrison, North Yorkshire DL9 3JD).

The practice holds a General Medical Services (GMS) contract to provide GP services which is commissioned by NHS England.

Updated 16 October 2017

Letter from the Chief Inspector of General Practice

We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection at Central Dales Practice on 31 March 2017. The overall rating for the practice was requires improvement. The full comprehensive report on the March 2017 inspection can be found by selecting the ‘all reports’ link for Central Dales Practice on our website at www.cqc.org.uk.

This inspection was an announced comprehensive inspection carried out on 2 October 2017 to confirm that the practice had carried out their plan to meet the legal requirements in relation to the breaches in regulations that we identified in our previous inspection on 31 March 2017. This report covers our findings in relation to those requirements and also additional improvements made since our last inspection.

Our key findings across all the areas we inspected were as follows:

• There was an open and transparent approach to safety and a system in place for reporting and recording significant events.
• The practice had clearly defined and embedded systems to minimise risks to patient safety.
• Staff were aware of current evidence based guidance.
• Staff had been trained to provide them with the skills and knowledge to deliver effective care and treatment.
• Results from the national GP patient survey showed patients were treated with compassion, dignity and respect and were involved in their care and decisions about their treatment.
• Information about services and how to complain was available. Improvements were made to the quality of care as a result of complaints and concerns.
• Patients we spoke with 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.
• Results from the national GP patient survey showed that patient’s satisfaction with how they could access care and treatment was mostly above local CCG averages and above national averages.
• 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 the requirements of the duty of candour. Examples we reviewed showed the practice complied with these requirements.

The areas where the provider should make improvement are:

Implement regular checks of dispensary stock to ensure it is within expiry date and maintain appropriate records.

Review procedures to ensure fridge temperatures are recorded daily in line with national guidance.

Professor Steve Field (CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP) 

Chief Inspector of General Practice

Updated 16 October 2017

The practice is rated as good for the care of people with long-term conditions.

• Nursing staff had lead roles in long-term disease management and patients at risk of hospital admission were identified as a priority.
• Data from 2015/2016 Quality Outcomes Framework (QOF) for diabetes related indicators was similar to the local CCG and national averages. For example the percentage of patients with diabetes, on the register, in whom the last blood pressure reading (measured in the preceding 12 months) is 140/80 mmHg or less (01/04/ 2015 to 31/03/2016) was 87% compared to the England average of 78%. The percentage of patients with diabetes, on the register, whose last measured total cholesterol (measured within the preceding 12 months) was 5 mmol/l or less (01/04/2015 to 31/03/2016) was 89% compared to the national average of 80%.
• The practice followed up on patients with long-term conditions discharged from hospital and ensured that their care plans were updated to reflect any additional needs.
• There were emergency processes for patients with long-term conditions who experienced a sudden deterioration in health.
• All these patients had a named GP and there was a system to recall patients for a structured annual review to check their health and medicines needs were being met. For those patients with the most complex needs, the named GP worked with relevant health and care professionals to deliver a multidisciplinary package of care.

Updated 16 October 2017

The practice is rated as good for the care of families, children and young people.

• From the sample of documented examples we reviewed we found there were systems to identify and follow up children living in disadvantaged circumstances and who were at risk, for example, children and young people who had a high number of accident and emergency (A&E) attendances.
• Immunisation rates were relatively high for all standard childhood immunisations.
• Patients told us, on the day of inspection, that children and young people were treated in an age-appropriate way and were recognised as individuals. For example young patients could request appointments via secure social media if they felt uneasy about contacting the main reception. The practice had also started to develop relationships with schools and the Carers Centre in identifying young carers.
• The practice provided support for premature babies and their families following discharge from hospital. Appointments were available outside of school hours and the premises were suitable for children and babies.
• The practice worked with midwives, health visitors and school nurses to support this population group. For example, taking action when young people did not attend for appointments.
• The practice had emergency processes for acutely ill children and young people and for acute pregnancy complications.

Updated 16 October 2017

The practice is rated as good for the care of older people.

• Staff were able to recognise the signs of abuse in older patients and knew how to escalate any concerns.
• The practice offered proactive, personalised care to meet the needs of the older patients in its population.
• The practice was responsive to the needs of older patients, and offered home visits and urgent appointments for those with enhanced needs.
• The practice identified at an early stage older patients who may need palliative care as they were approaching the end of life. It involved older patients in planning and making decisions about their care, including their end of life care.
• The practice followed up on older patients discharged from hospital and ensured that their care plans were updated to reflect any extra needs.
• Where older patients had complex needs, the practice shared summary care records with local care services.
• Older patients were provided with health promotional advice and support to help them to maintain their health and independence for as long as possible.

Updated 16 October 2017

The practice is rated as good for the care of working age people (including those recently retired and students).

• The needs of these populations had been identified and the practice had adjusted the services it offered to ensure these were accessible, flexible and offered continuity of care, for example, extended opening hours and Saturday appointments.
• The practice was proactive in offering online services as well as a full range of health promotion and screening that reflects the needs for this age group.

Updated 16 October 2017

The practice is rated as good for the care of people experiencing poor mental health (including people with dementia).

• The practice carried out advance care planning for patients living with dementia.
• 89% of patients diagnosed with dementia who had had their care reviewed in a face to face meeting in the last 12 months, which is comparable to the national average.
• The practice specifically considered the physical health needs of patients with poor mental health and dementia.
• The practice had a system for monitoring repeat prescribing for patients receiving medicines for mental health needs.
• Performance for mental health related indicators was higher than the CCG and national averages in two out of the three indicators and similar in the other. For example the percentage of patients with schizophrenia, bipolar affective disorder and other psychoses who had had a comprehensive, agreed care plan documented in their record, in the preceding 12 months (01/04/2015 to 31/03/2016) was 100% compared to the national average of 89%.
• The practice regularly worked with multi-disciplinary teams in the case management of patients experiencing poor mental health, including those living with dementia.
• Patients at risk of dementia were identified and offered an assessment.
• The practice had information available for patients experiencing poor mental health about how they could access various support groups and voluntary organisations.
• The practice had a system to follow up patients who had attended accident and emergency where they may have been experiencing poor mental health.
• Staff interviewed had a good understanding of how to support patients with mental health needs and dementia.

Updated 16 October 2017

The practice is rated as good for the care of people whose circumstances may make them vulnerable.

• The practice held a register of patients living in vulnerable circumstances including those who were housebound, had depression, dementia and those with a learning disability.
• End of life care was delivered in a coordinated way which took into account the needs of those whose circumstances may make them vulnerable.
• The practice offered longer appointments for patients with a learning disability.
• The practice regularly worked with other health care professionals in the case management of vulnerable patients.
• The practice had information available for vulnerable patients about how to access various support groups and voluntary organisations.
• Staff interviewed knew how to recognise signs of abuse in children, young people and adults whose circumstances may make them vulnerable. They were aware of their responsibilities regarding information sharing, documentation of safeguarding concerns and how to contact relevant agencies in normal working hours and out of hours.