Archived: Dr Feisal Docrat Also known as Shefa Medical Practice

Updated 24 October 2014

Shefa Medical Practice is a GP practice which provides a range of primary medical services to over 4,000 patients from a practice in the centre of the City of Leicester. Their services are commissioned by Leicester City Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG). The service is provided by one GP, an associate GP, and a long-term locum GP. In addition there is a Nurse Practitioner; The GPs and nurse are supported by a practice manager, reception and administration staff. Local community health teams support the GPs in provision of maternity and health visitor services.

The practice has one location registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC). This is at St Peter’s Health Centre, Sparkenhoe Street, Leicester. LE2 0TA. Shefa Medical Practice is registered to provide the following regulated activities at that location: diagnostic and screening procedures, family planning, maternity and midwifery services, surgical procedures and treatment of disease, disorder and injury. This is the first inspection of the regulated activities carried out at this practice.

The practice is in a new building. Parking is available in surrounding streets and there is limited car parking space at the practice. This includes car parking space designated for use by people with a disability.

We reviewed Information from Leicester City Clinical Commission Group (CCG) and Public Health England which showed that the practice population is affected by higher deprivation levels than the average for practices within the CCG and the average for practices in England.

The practice has opted out of the requirement to provide GP consultations when the surgery is closed. The out-of-hours service is provided by The Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland Out-of-Hours Service.

Updated 24 October 2014

The practice provided GP services to over 4000 patients in the centre of Leicester. The practice is based at St Peter’s Health Centre, Sparkenhoe Street, Leicester. The premises is a new building owned by Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust (LPT). The practice provides a range of primary medical services including: health promotion and disease management, minor surgery, child immunisation and a baby clinic.

This was an announced inspection, which focused on whether the care and treatment of patients was: safe, effective, caring, responsive and well led. We spoke with six patients during our inspection. We also received 12 comment cards, and reviewed written and verbal feedback from patients and observed how staff interacted with patients. Most of the feedback about patients’ care and treatment was positive.

The practice had conducted a patient survey, and the results were available on the practice’s website. The results for 2013/14 showed that 98 patients had taken part in the survey. Comments were generally very positive. Also on the website was an action plan which had been produced as a result of the comments in the 2013/14 survey. The action plan addressed a number of issues and included time scales for action.

As part of the inspection we reviewed Information from Leicester City Clinical Commission Group (CCG) and Public Health England.

We found the practice understood the needs of its patient population and provided flexible and responsive services to meet their needs. Patients told us they sometimes had difficulty accessing the service through the telephone system. 

Staff said they were well supported by the GPs and practice manager and that they found them open and approachable. We saw that there were systems in place to safeguard children and vulnerable adults from abuse, and staff were aware of the procedures to follow to achieve this. 

We found the practice responded to the needs of older people, people with long term conditions, mothers, babies, children and young people, the working age population, people in vulnerable circumstances and people who were experiencing poor mental health.

We found that the practice was not following National Institute and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines in respect of clinical audits. As a result we have set a compliance action as this is a breach of the regulations.

Please note that when referring to information throughout this report, for example any reference to the Quality and Outcomes Framework data, this relates to the most recent information available to the CQC at that time.

Updated 24 October 2014

The practice operated a number of clinics for patients with long term conditions, such as patients with diabetes, leg ulcers and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Patients were kept under review, and there were systems for making referrals to other care agencies when required. Some patients with long-term conditions were receiving medication. The practice reviewed medication for these patients routinely every six months. Administrative staff at the practice were able to demonstrate how letters were routinely generated to invite patients for medication reviews. In addition they were able to show how patients were called and recalled to be seen about their condition. Administrative staff also demonstrated how any patients who did not attend for their follow up appointment were contacted by telephone to arrange a suitable appointment.

The practice said that they offer patients with long-term conditions an annual review with the Practice Nurse. In addition patients have a blood test every six to twelve months depending on their condition. Patients with long-term conditions tend to be taking medication, and often a combination of medicines. The practice offered a medication review, with a face to face consultation so the patient has the opportunity to talk about the medicines they have been taking.

Updated 24 October 2014

A specific GP at the practice tended to see those patients who were mothers, babies, children or young people. This allowed for continuity of care for patients who said they knew who they were seeing. The practice had a midwife working at the surgery every Tuesday. The practice also ran a vaccination clinic every Wednesday. The GP also handled advice about contraception, and this included access to the emergency morning after pill. Both patients and staff at the practice said they felt the needs of this patient group were catered for and met.

The practice said they offered postnatal services for new mothers, antenatal services for women during their pregnancies.

Updated 24 October 2014

In line with guidance from the British Medical Association (BMA) every patient over the age of 75 had a named GP. Older patients sometimes presented as being vulnerable, and the reception staff said they were aware of this. Older patients were offered the opportunity to have an appointment with a chaperone.

Within the waiting area there were leaflets relating to memory issues, and links with support services for older people. Staff said that there were links with local care homes for elderly people. Discussions with both staff and patients who fell into this group identified that both thought their needs were identified and met by the practice.

The practice told us that they offer an appointment the same day, or a home visit where applicable.

Updated 24 October 2014

To meet the needs of patients within this population group the practice opened late three times a week. Monday, Wednesday and Thursday until 8.00 pm. Patients aged 40 years and over were offered annual health checks. We saw that there was information available in the waiting area that would particularly relate to patients in this age group. For example smoking cessation and weight loss.

Updated 24 October 2014

Shefa Medical Practice does have some patients who have mental health needs. Reception staff said they try to treat all patients with respect. Staff also said that sometimes patients with mental health needs arrive at the practice without an appointment. In these circumstances the reception staff would seek advice from a GP. Discussions with GPs at the practice identified that there were good networks between the practice and mental health services within the city. If a referral to another care provider or support agency was indicated this would be made.

Staff also told us that there were good links with the Maidstone Centre, which is where the Community Mental Health Team is based.

The practice said that there was a drive towards non-discrimination, with patients who had mental health issues treated equably. Annual blood tests were offered to all patients with mental health issues. GPs were aware of the changing nature of mental health, and medication is frequently reviewed.

Updated 24 October 2014

The practice had a lead GP for vulnerable groups of patients seen within the surgery. This included patients who had a learning disability, and people with mental health needs. Patients who were homeless or who were travellers had their health needs met at the Dawn Centre which operated a specialist service specifically for homeless people. The Dawn Centre was situated a few hundred yards away from the practice. Staff at the practice signposted patients from these vulnerable groups to the Dawn Centre. If a patient presented who was not registered at the practice looking for the morning after pill, they would be directed to family planning clinic on the 2nd floor. In addition sex workers were offered the morning after pill, and referred on to the health centre.

The practice said they had few patients with learning disabilities. These patients were known to the staff who said that communication was key to meeting their needs. In many cases the GP operated as a gateway for referral to more appropriate or specialist services. Patients who had a learning disability had a health review annually; in addition patients with a learning disability could see a GP on the same day they made their appointment. Patients with a learning disability also had their medication reviewed every six months.

The practice said that there was the possibility for patients to register as a temporary patient if they are in Leicester for a short stay.