Dr Karim & Dr James-Authe

Background to this inspection

Updated 22 November 2017

Dr Karim and Dr James-Authe is a GP practice situated in the Wyresdale Road and Halliwell Road areas of Bolton. At the time of this inspection we were informed 8,050 patients were registered with the practice. The practice population experiences higher levels of income deprivation than the practice average across England. There is a similar proportion of patients above 65years of age (15%) to the practice average across England (16%). The practice has a similar proportion of patients under 18 years of age (22%) than the practice average across England (23%). 62 per cent of the practice’s patients have a longstanding medical condition compared to the practice average across England of 7%.

At the time of our inspection two GP partners and a long term locum GP were providing primary medical services to patients registered at the practice supported. The GPs were supported in providing clinical services by two practice nurses, one health care assistant and a practice pharmacist. Clinical staff was supported by the practice manager and the members of the practice reception/administration team. The opening times of the Wyresdale Road surgery were Monday to Friday 8am to 6.30pm. The opening times of the Halliwell Road branch Surgery were Monday to Friday 9amto Noon and 3pm to 6pm. The practice is closed on Saturday and Sunday. The practice has opted out of providing out-of-hours services to their patients. In case of a medical emergency outside normal surgery hours advice was provided by the 111 services and Bury and Rochdale Doctors (BARDOC).

The practice website and patient information leaflet available at the practice details how to access medical advice when the practice is closed. Patients are also provided with these details via a recorded message when they telephone the practice outside the usual opening times. The practice contracts with NHS England to provide General Medical Services (GMS) to the patients registered with the practice.

Overall inspection

Good

Updated 22 November 2017

Letter from the Chief Inspector of General Practice

This is a focused desk top review of evidence supplied by Dr Karim and Dr James-Authe for areas within the key question safe that required improvement following our full comprehensive inspection under the Health and Social Care Act 2008. At that inspection on 17 March 2016, the practice was rated good overall. However, within the key question safe, there were areas identified as requiring improvement, as the practice was not meeting the legislation at that time. The areas where the provider was told they must make improvements were as follows :

Regulation 12 HSCA (RA) Regulations 2014 Safe care and treatment. The practice had a fire safety policy, fire risk assessments and had appointed two trained fire marshals. Whilst it was evident that requirements identified in the fire risk assessment for the Wyresdale Road surgery had been completed this was not the case at the Halliwell Road branch surgery. The fire risk assessment for the Halliwell Road branch surgery (conducted in June 2015) included the requirements to install a fire alarm, smoke detectors and emergency lighting at the premises. We were informed and saw evidence that these requirements were in the process of being addressed within a month of our visit. Whilst we acknowledge the provider was committed to address the risks in respect of fire safety they must take action to ensure they reduce or remove the risks within a timescale that reflects the level of risks on people who use the services. Regulation 12(2)(d)
Regulation 12 HSCA (RA) Regulations 2014 Safe care and treatment. At the time of our visit oxygen was not available for emergency use at the Wyresdale Road surgery or the Halliwell Road branch surgery. Oxygen is considered essential in dealing with certain medical emergencies. The provider must ensure that oxygen is available for emergency use when planning and delivering care and, where appropriate, treatment in such a way as to ensure the welfare and safety of patients. Regulation 12(2)(h)

This is a focused desk top review of evidence supplied by Dr Karim and Dr James-Authe for the areas of improvement identified within the key question safe. We received and assessed documentation to evidence that the practice had carried out their plan and now met the required level in relation to breaches in Regulation 12.

The overall rating for the practice remains as good and the practice is now rated as good for being safe. Our key findings were as follows:

A Legionella Risk Assessment was completed on
A fire risk assessment was completed on
Actions relating to fire safety were carried out. Health and safety checks were undertaken.

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

This rating was given following the comprehensive inspection on 17 March 2016. The full comprehensive report following that inspection can be found by selecting the ‘all reports’ link for Dr Karim and Dr James-Authe on our website at www.cqc.org.uk.

Latest inspection summary

On this page

Background to this inspection

Overall inspection

Letter from the Chief Inspector of General Practice

Professor Steve Field (CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP)

People with long term conditions

Families, children and young people

Older people

Working age people (including those recently retired and students)

People experiencing poor mental health (including people with dementia)

People whose circumstances may make them vulnerable