Updated 1 November 2017
Lister House Surgery is located close to the centre of Wiveliscombe about 11 miles from Taunton, Somerset. The practice has a branch location in Milverton just over three miles away, which we visited as part of the inspection. Patients could and did attend either practice. The practice serves a rural population of approximately 6800 patients from Wiveliscombe and the surrounding villages.
Data from Public Health England show that the practice had a higher than average population of patients over 65, 27%, in comparison with the clinical commissioning group (CCG) average of 23% and a national average of 17%. The population as a whole is older than the national average. In addition there are a large number of single parent families. The practice is situated in an area with less deprivation with a deprivation score of 15% compared to the CCG average of 18% and the national average of 22%.
The Wiveliscombe practice building was purpose built in 2013 with the Milverton location being constructed in the 1980’s. Both practices provide a dispensing service to approximately 55% of the patient population. Milverton surgery provides a practice nurse service however the GP service was suspended due to partnership changes.
In 2016 the three GP partners took the decision to terminate their partnership. And from 1 September 2016 Somerset Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (SomPar) took over the management of the practice. The practice is managed under a separate legal entity with SomPar retaining the overall governance of practice. As part of the management of the practice, the Milverton location was undergoing a public consultation on the feasibility of the service continuing at this surgery.
Lister House Surgery currently employs seven salaried to GPs (2.75 whole time equivalent) to provide 22 clinical sessions per week and seven GP administrative sessions. In addition a GP works in a clinical management and administrative role providing a WTE of 0.6 per week and one GP provides additional musculoskeletal clinics. An advanced nurse practitioner was employed earlier this year on a full time basis to provide 10 sessions a week for telephone triage and face to face appointments. Three practice nurses are employed (equivalent to 1.92 WTE) along with 2 healthcare assistants and a lead dispenser. A pharmacist has been employed for one day per week. The practice manager is supported by an assistant, an administrative and a reception team of which some provide a dispensing role.
Currently the practice has a GP vacancy for three clinical sessions per week. This is currently filled by regular sessional GPs. A pharmacist has been employed to provide patient reviews and optimise GP workflow.
Other services provided at the location include a Village Agent, physiotherapy and talking therapies. A wellbeing advisor (as part of a test and learn for the local GP federation) provided weekly support and advice to patients with long term conditions. For example, medicine concerns and education.
Lister House Surgery is open between 8.30 am and 6.30 pm Monday to Friday; appointments are available between 9am and 6.30pm daily. Telephone lines are open from 8am Monday to Friday. Pre-bookable appointments with the practice nurses are available from 8am until 6.30pm Monday to Friday. Milverton Surgery is open on Monday, Tuesday and Friday between 8.30am until 1pm and 2pm until 5pm. On Wednesday and Thursday the practice is open from 8.30am until 1pm and 2pm until 6pm.
A weekly clinic is provided to 45 residents at a residential care home and the practice provides care for 11 patients at a local home for people living with a learning disability.
The practice has a General Medical Services (GMS) contract to deliver health care services. The locations the service operates from are Lister House Surgery, Croft Way, Wiveliscombe, Taunton, Somerset, TA4 2BF and The Milverton Surgery, Creedwell Orchard, Milverton, Taunton, Somerset TA4 1JZ.
The practice has opted out of providing Out Of Hours services to their own patients. Patients can access a local provider which provides an NHS111 and an Out Of Hours GP service.