Valley Road Surgery

Updated 28 November 2018

The Valley Road Surgery provides primary medical services in the London Borough of Lambeth to approximately 5,900 patients. The practice operates at 139 Valley Road, Streatham, London, SW16 2XT. The practice is based in a purpose-built building.

The practice population is in the fifth most deprived decile in England. The practice population’s age demographic is broadly in line with the local average, in that there are proportionally more patients between the age of 15 and 64 than the national average.

The practice is managed by three partners. The GP team at the surgery is made up of four GPs (including the partners) working a total of 26 sessions. There is also a regular locum GP. There are also two practice nurses and a health care assistant. There is a practice manager and a head receptionist. The team is supported by five other administrative and reception staff. The practice operates under a General Medical Services (GMS) contract.

The practice reception is open between 8:00am and 6:30pm Monday to Friday. There are extended hours on Monday and Wednesday evenings from 6:30 to 8:00pm. When the practice is closed patients are directed to contact the local out of hours service.

The practice is registered with the Care Quality Commission to provide the regulated activities of family planning; treatment of disease, disorder or injury; diagnostic and screening services.

Updated 28 November 2018

This practice is rated as Good overall. The practice was previously inspected in November 2014 and was 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

We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection at Valley Road Surgery on 9 October 2018.

At this inspection we found:

• 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 implemented defined and embedded systems to minimise risks to patient safety.
• Staff were aware of current evidence based guidance. Staff had been trained to provide them with the skills and knowledge to deliver effective care and treatment.
• 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.
• Information about services and how to complain was available.
• Patients found the appointment system easy to use and reported that they were able to access care when they needed it.
• There was a strong focus on continuous learning and improvement at all levels of the organisation.

We saw two areas of outstanding practice:

• The practice in conjunction with its patient participation group (PPG) had set up a group to assist older people in registering for online services. Three workshops had seen more than 100 patients register.
• The practice in conjunction with its PPG had conducted a survey and determined that patient loneliness was an issue among older patients. In conjunction with the practice the group set up a chair exercise group. The group reported that they were in the process of auditing the efficacy of this, in the interim, feedback from patients had been positive.

The area where the provider should make improvements is:

• Improve systems to ensure prescription security.

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 28 November 2018

Updated 28 November 2018

Updated 28 November 2018

Updated 28 November 2018

Updated 28 November 2018

Updated 28 November 2018