Ashton GP Service

Updated 17 June 2022

Ashton GP Service is in Ashton-Under-Lyne at:

Ashton Primary Care Centre

193 Old Street

Ashton-under-lyne

OL6 7SR

The practice is part of gtd Healthcare, a not for profit provider of primary care, urgent care and out-of-hours dental services across North West England.

The provider is registered with CQC to deliver the Regulated Activities; diagnostic and screening procedures, maternity and midwifery services and treatment of disease, disorder or injury and surgical procedures.

The practice is situated within the Tameside and Glossop Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) and delivers Alternative Primary Medical Services (APMS) to a patient population of about 3988. This is part of a contract held with NHS England.

The practice is part of a wider group of GP practices, Ashton Primary Care Network (PCN). PCNs work together with community, mental health, social care, pharmacy, hospital and voluntary services in their local area.

Information published by Public Health England shows that deprivation within the practice population group is in the lowest decile (one of 10). The lower the decile, the more deprived the practice population is relative to others.

According to the latest available data, the ethnic make-up of the practice area is 25% Asian, 71% White, 2% Black, and 2% Mixed.

The age distribution of the practice population differs from that of local and national averages, for example, there are fewer older patients (4.5%) registered at the practice compared to England average (17.4%) and a higher than average young population (32%) compared to England average (20%)

There is a team of three GPs (two male salaried GPs and one locum female GP), an advanced clinical practitioner, a senior clinical practitioner (practice nurse), an assistant practitioner and a health care assistant. The clinical team are supported at the practice by an operations manager, a senior administrator and a team of reception/administration staff. The practice also has access to support from the gtd Healthcare head office team, including human resources, medicines management team and clinical leadership for guidance and support.

Due to the enhanced infection prevention and control measures put in place since the pandemic and in line with the national guidance, most GP appointments were initially telephone consultations. If the GP needs to see a patient face-to-face then the patient is invited to attend the surgery.

Extended access is also provided locally by gtd Healthcare from the neighbourhood hub, where late evening and weekend appointments are available. Out of hours services are also provided by gtd Healthcare.

Updated 17 June 2022

We carried out an announced inspection at Ashton GP Service on 18 May 2022. Overall, the practice is rated as Good.

The ratings for each key question are:

Safe - Good

Effective - Good

Caring - Good

Responsive - Good

Well-led - Good

Why we carried out this inspection

This inspection was a comprehensive inspection which included a site visit. The inspection was carried out following changes to the practice registration in March 2020, after the existing provider changed its legal status and the length of time since its previous inspection in 2017.

How we carried out the inspection

Throughout the pandemic CQC has continued to regulate and respond to risk. However, taking into account the circumstances arising as a result of the pandemic, and in order to reduce risk, we have conducted our inspections differently.

This inspection was carried out in a way which enabled us to spend a minimum amount of time on site. This was with consent from the provider and in line with all data protection and information governance requirements.

This included:

• Conducting staff interviews using video conferencing
• Using questionnaires sent to staff prior to the on-site visit
• Completing clinical searches on the practice’s patient records system and discussing findings with the provider
• Reviewing patient records to identify issues and clarify actions taken by the provider
• Requesting evidence from the provider
• A shorter site visit

Our findings

We based our judgement of the quality of care at this service on a combination of:

• what we found when we inspected
• information from our ongoing monitoring of data about services and
• information from the provider, patients, the public and other organisations.

We found that:

• The practice provided care in a way that kept patients safe and protected them from avoidable harm.
• Patients received effective care and treatment that met their needs.
• Staff dealt with patients with kindness and respect and involved them in decisions about their care.
• The practice adjusted how it delivered services to respond to and meet the needs of patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. Patients could access care and treatment in a timely way.
• The way the practice was led and managed promoted the delivery of high-quality, person-centre care.

Whilst we found no breaches of regulations, the provider should:

• Ensure actions identified from the review of patients prescribed a combination of antidepressant and antipsychotic medicines are embedded.
• Monitor the systems put in place to improve uptake of childhood immunisations and cervical screening to ensure they are effective.

Details of our findings and the evidence supporting our ratings are set out in the evidence tables.

Dr Rosie Benneyworth BM BS BMedSci MRCGP

Chief Inspector of Primary Medical Services and Integrated Care