Norton Canes Practice

Updated 30 October 2018

Norton Canes Practice, also known as Dr B K Singh, is registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) as a partnership provider and holds a General Medical Services (GMS) contract with NHS England. A GMS contract is a contract between NHS England and general practices for delivering general medical services and is the commonest form of GP contract. The practice is part of the NHS Cannock Chase Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG). The practice is located in a purpose-built health centre in Norton Canes, Cannock, Staffordshire and shares the facilities with two other GP practices and NHS community services. The practice treats patients of all ages and provides a range of medical services and delivers regulated activities from Norton Canes Practice only.

At the time of the inspection 3979 patients were registered at the practice. The practice local area is one of less deprivation when compared with the local and national averages. The practice has a higher percentage of registered patients aged 65 and a higher percentage of patients with a long-standing health condition, which could mean an increased demand for GP services. Unemployment levels are lower for the practice population than the local and national average. The practice population is predominantly white British (98%).

The practice staffing comprises of:

• Two male GP partners (two whole time equivalent WTE)
• A regular locum GP (female)
• One part-time nurse
• One part-time health care assistant
• One part-time director of management
• One full-time practice manager
• One part-time advanced clinical pharmacist, funded by NHS England
• A reception supervisor and a team of four administrative and reception staff

The practice opening hours are between 8am and 6.30pm Monday to Friday. Extended hours appointments are provided Monday evenings from 6.30pm to 7.30pm. The practice has opted out of providing cover to patients in the out-of-hours period. During this time services are provided by Staffordshire Doctors Urgent Care, patients access this service by calling NHS 111.

The provider is registered to provide the following regulated activities: Diagnostic and screening procedures, family planning, maternity and midwifery, surgical procedures and treatment of disease, disorder or injury. Additional information about the practice is available on their website: www.nortoncanespractice.co.uk

Updated 30 October 2018

We previously carried out an announced comprehensive inspection at Norton Canes Practice on 13 November 2017. The overall rating for the practice was good. The practice was rated as requiring improvement in providing safe services. A breach of legal requirement was found and a requirement notice was served in relation to safe care and treatment. The full comprehensive report on the November 2017 inspection can be found by selecting the ‘all reports’ link for Norton Canes Practice on our website at .

This inspection was an announced comprehensive inspection carried out on 1 October 2018 to confirm that the practice had met the legal requirements in relation to the breach in regulation that we previously identified.

This practice is rated as Good overall.

The key questions at this inspection are rated as:

Are services safe? – Good

Are services effective? – Good

Are services caring? – Good

Are services responsive? – Good

Are services well-led? - Good

At this inspection we found:

• The practice leaders had taken the findings from the previous CQC inspection to improve the services provided and patient safety and care. Each area for improvement had been actioned and our findings at this inspection showed improvements had been made and sustained.
• The practice had clear systems to manage risk so that safety incidents were less likely to happen. When incidents did happen, the practice learned from them and improved their processes.
• The practice had effective systems, processes and practices in place to protect people from potential abuse and staff had received safeguarding training appropriate to their role.
• There were systems in place for identifying, assessing and mitigating risks to the health and safety of patients and staff. The system for managing patient safety alerts and the monitoring of patients on high risk medicines had improved.
• The practice routinely reviewed the effectiveness and appropriateness of the care it provided. It ensured that care and treatment was delivered according to evidence-based guidelines.
• Staff involved and treated patients with compassion, kindness, dignity and respect.
• Patients found the appointment system easy to use and reported that they were able to access care when they needed it.
• The practice actively worked with the patient participation group (PPG) to meet the needs of their patients and had increased the membership of the PPG.
• The practice had hosted a range of health awareness sessions for their patients and members of the local community. The most recent session was on diabetes. Over 30 people attended and feedback was very positive.
• Information to support patients with making a complaint was now readily available.
• Systems had been put in place to monitor and deal with uncollected prescriptions.
• There was a focus on continuous learning and improvement at all levels of the organisation.
• The practice had pro-actively identified and increased the number of carers registered and were working with external partners to support their carers.

The areas where the provider should make improvements are:

• Consider obtaining a hearing loop system to assist patients with a reduced range of hearing.

Professor Steve Field CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP
Chief Inspector of General Practice

Please refer to the detailed report and the evidence tables for further information.

Updated 30 October 2018

Updated 30 October 2018

Updated 30 October 2018

Updated 30 October 2018

Updated 30 October 2018

Updated 30 October 2018