Keynell Covert Surgery

Updated 8 May 2015

Keynell Covert served approximately 1450 patients.

At the time of our inspection there was one female GP and one male GP who provided eight clinical sessions per week. There was a nurse practitioner who was a nurse prescriber and one health care assistant/phlebotomist who worked part time. The practice manager led a team of two receptionists and one administrator who worked varying hours.

The practice offered a range of services including chronic disease management, diabetes, cervical smears, contraception, minor surgery in the format of joint injections, injections and vaccinations.

The practice had opted out of providing out-of-hours services to their own patients. Patients were advised to use the local walk-in centre when the practice was closed or to contact NHS 111 for medical assistance or 999 in an emergency when the practice is closed. This information was available in the waiting area, in the patient leaflet, via the practice telephone and on the website.

CQC has not received any information of concern about this practice.

Updated 8 May 2015

Letter from the Chief Inspector of General Practice

We carried out a comprehensive inspection on 13 February 2015.

We have rated each section of our findings for each key area. We found that the practice provided a safe, effective, caring, responsive and well led service for the population it served. The overall rating was good and this was because on-going improvements had been made that had a positive impact on patient care by staff who were motivated and carried out their roles effectively.

Our key findings were as follows:

• We found evidence that practice staff worked together and were enthusiastic to make on-going improvements for the benefit of patients.

• The practice was visibly clean. The standards of hygiene were regularly monitored to protect patients from unnecessary infections.

• There was a register of all vulnerable patients who were reviewed regularly. Patients we spoke with told us they were satisfied with the care they received and their medicines were regularly reviewed.

• Practice staff had identified carers and entered them on a register. GPs offered them advice and support. There was a dedicated area in the waiting room that offered information about support systems and groups.

• The practice was able to demonstrate a good track record for safety. Effective systems were in place for reporting safety incidents. Untoward incidents were investigated and where possible improvements made to prevent similar occurrences.

• We found that patients were treated with respect and their privacy was maintained. Patients informed us they were very satisfied with the care they received and their ability to book an appointment when they felt they needed to.

Professor Steve Field (CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP) 

Chief Inspector of General Practice

Updated 8 May 2015

Practice staff recognised the long term condition needs of its practice populations. They held a register of patients who had long term conditions and carried out regular reviews. GP’s worked with relevant health and care professionals to deliver a multidisciplinary package of care. Clinical staff had good working relationships with a wide range of community staff and held regular meetings with them to ensure patients received seamless care. Emergency processes were in place and referrals made for patients in this group that had a sudden deterioration in health. Practice staff supported patients and carers to receive co-ordinated, multidisciplinary care.

Updated 8 May 2015

The practice is rated as good for the care of families, children and young people. Appointments were available outside of school hours and the premises were suitable for children and babies. Practice staff liaised with local health visitors to offer a full health surveillance programme for children. Checks were also made to ensure maximum uptake of childhood immunisations. The clinical team offered immunisations to children in line with the national immunisation programme.

Updated 8 May 2015

Patients aged over the age of 75 years had been informed of their named and accountable GP. All older patients had annual health checks and where necessary, care, treatment and support arrangements were implemented. GPs provided care to patients registered with the practice who resided in a care home. The practice offered proactive, personalised care to meet the needs of older people and had a range of enhanced services. The practice was responsive to the needs of older people, including offering rapid access appointments or home visits for those with enhanced needs.

Updated 8 May 2015

The practice is rated as good for the care of working age people (including those recently retired and students). Community midwives held regular ante natal and post natal clinics at the local health centre situated next door to the practice. The practice offered extended opening hours to assist this patient group in accessing the practice. Appointments were available until 6pm on Tuesdays and 7pm Mondays and Fridays. Systems were in place for identifying and following-up children living in disadvantaged circumstances and who were at risk of harm.

Updated 8 May 2015

The practice is rated as good for the care of people experiencing poor mental health (including people with dementia). Care was tailored to patients’ individual needs and circumstances including their physical health needs. Patients who presented with anxiety and depression were assessed and managed within the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) guidelines. Annual health checks were offered to patients who had serious mental illnesses. GPs had the necessary skills and information to treat or refer patients with poor mental health. Practice staff worked in conjunction with the local mental health team to ensure patients had the support they needed. Both GPs had attended training in dementia and the Mental Capacity Act to ensure all care provided was in the patient’s best interests.

Updated 8 May 2015

The practice is rated as good for the care of people whose circumstances may make them vulnerable. Practice staff had identified patients with learning disabilities and treated them appropriately. Practice staff regularly worked with multi-disciplinary teams in the case management of vulnerable people. All patients within this group had received annual health checks. GPs carried out regular home visits to patients who were housebound and to other patients on the day they had been requested.