Dr Sekhar Karyampudi Also known as Vittoria Medical Centre - Dr. Karyampudi

Updated 6 March 2019

Dr Sekhar Karyampudi is registered with the Care Quality Commission to provide primary care services. It provides GP services for approximately 1500 patients living in Wirral. The practice is situated in a purpose-built health centre shared with another practice and with an independent pharmacy located next door. The practice has one male GP and one female GP, a practice manager, practice nurse, administration and reception staff. Dr Sekhar Karyampudi holds a General Medical Services (GMS) contract with NHS England.

The practice is open Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday 8am to 6.30pm with extended hours on a Tuesday until 7.15pm. They do not provide out of hour's services, these are covered by the area GP Out of Hours service and are accessible by calling NHS 111. Patients can book appointments in person, via the telephone or online. The practice provides telephone consultations, pre-bookable consultations, urgent consultations and home visits. The practice treats patients of all ages and provides a range of primary medical services.

The practice is part of Wirral Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) and is situated in an area of high deprivation. The practice population is made up of a mostly working age population. A large number of the practice population has a long-standing health condition (64%) and there is a higher than national average number of unemployed patients. The practice has a number of patients that are vulnerable in different ways such as frail and elderly, alcohol and substance misuse and vulnerable children and adults.

Updated 6 March 2019

We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection at Dr Sekhar Karyampudi on 5 February 2019 as part of our inspection programme.

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 have rated this practice as good overall and good for all population groups.

We found that:

• The practice provided care in a way that kept patients safe and protected them from avoidable harm. However, the Legionella risk assessment was last reviewed in 2013 and in need of updating.
• There was equipment and medicines for use in emergencies and these were checked and documented.
• Blank prescriptions were logged in and out for use at the practice, however they were left in printers overnight and in unused rooms.
• Patients received effective care and treatment that met their needs. We saw that clinicians treated and cared for patients in line with current best practice guidelines and legislation. However, there was no formal system of implementing these guidelines.
• The practice understood the needs of its patients’ population and delivered care and treatment tailored to the individual’s needs.
• Staff dealt with patients with kindness and respect and involved them in decisions about their care. Feedback from patients was very positive about care, treatment and access at this practice.
• The practice organised and delivered services to meet patients’ needs. 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. There was evidence of clinical and internal audits being undertaken which demonstrated outcome improvements. However, there was no formal audit programme based on national, local and service priorities.

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

• Review and update the Legionella risk assessment.
• Review the high-risk medication monitoring protocol and ensure all patients are monitored and reviews are conducted according to protocol.
• Review the security of printer prescription pads in the practice to ensure they are safe at all times.
• Continue to monitor and actively encourage uptake of childhood immunisations.
• Review the system for implementation of National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidelines.
• Implement an audit programme/plan that is based on national, local and practice priorities.

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

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

Updated 6 March 2019

Updated 6 March 2019

Updated 6 March 2019

Updated 6 March 2019

Updated 6 March 2019

Updated 6 March 2019