Background to this inspection
Updated
17 September 2014
The Elms Medical Centre provides primary medical care and treatment for 10,015 patients who live in Chester. 11% of patients registered are over 70 years of age, with 22%, the majority, of patients 50 to 69 years .
The main practice is based close to the city centre, with easy access by public transport and main roads. There are two treatment rooms and five consultation rooms. The practice has a branch surgery Blacon Clinic, in the Blacon district of Chester. This is situated in temporary premises within a church hall.
Staff with in the practice consists of: Four GP partners, three salaried GPs, one nurse practitioner, four practice nurses, one healthcare assistant and administration and reception staff.
Out of hours services are provided at the local NHS hospital, The Countess of Chester.
Updated
17 September 2014
The Elms Medical Centre provided care and treatment from the main practice and a branch surgery at Blacon, Chester. We visited both locations as part of this inspection.
The service is registered with the Care Quality Commission to provide the following regulated activities:
Treatment of disease, disorder and injury, diagnostic and screening procedures, surgical procedures, family planning and maternity and midwifery services.
The patients we spoke with were very positive about the care provided. They told us the staff were kind and caring and treated them with respect.
The practice provided care and treatment in an environment which was clean and well organised. The building was well maintained and fit for purpose. Systems were in place to monitor patient safety.
The practice responded well to patient’s needs and they undertook appropriate investigations of incidents.
Learning was disseminated to all staff, in order to improve care.
People with long term conditions
Updated
17 September 2014
Systems were in place to monitor patients with long term medical conditions. Patients were recalled for reviews in a timely manner.
Families, children and young people
Updated
17 September 2014
Suitable arrangements were in place for the safeguarding of children. Expectant mothers and babies had access to care, treatment and support from midwives and health visitors. The practice was proactively encouraging young people to self test for sexually transmitted diseases.
Updated
17 September 2014
The practice was in the process of allocating a named GP for all patients over 75 years of age, to improve the continuity of care for older people. In addition to the emergency appointments, daily overflow surgeries were available. There were daily overflow surgeries available which were primarily aimed at providing easy access for older patients.
Working age people (including those recently retired and students)
Updated
17 September 2014
The practice provided extended hours for patients who worked. This meant appointments could be accessed at a time to suit most patients.
People experiencing poor mental health (including people with dementia)
Updated
17 September 2014
The practice did not include information about assessment of mental capacity in their consent policy, however when we spoke with the GPs and staff, it was clear where patients lacked capacity to consent, the practice acted in accordance with legal requirements.
People whose circumstances may make them vulnerable
Updated
17 September 2014
Safeguarding arrangements were effective in identifying patients in vulnerable circumstances who may be at risk. The practice was working to ensure patients whose first language was not English had access to information in other languages. Instructions in Polish had been added to the electronic checking-in system.
An 'at risk register' was maintained and monitored by the lead GP.