South Molton Medical Centre

Updated 24 May 2018

South Molton Medical Centre is situated in the rural area of South Molton, Devon. The practice is comprised of a single site following a merger of two neighbouring practices over the last two years.

The deprivation decile rating for this area is five (with one being the most deprived and 10 being the least deprived). The practice provides a primary medical service to approximately 11,449 patients of a diverse age group. The 2011 census data showed that majority of the local population identified themselves as being White British.

There is a team of eight GP partners and one salaried GP, three female and six male; the partners are supported by two female GP registrars. The whole time equivalent is six GPs. The GP team were supported by a practice manager, two deputy practice managers, a reception manager, an assistant reception manager, a pharmacist, a finance manager, a nurse manager, three practice nurses, one advanced nurse practitioner, four health care assistants and additional administration staff.

Patients using the practice also have access to health visitors, counsellors, carer support workers, district nurses, and midwives. Other health care professionals visited the practice on a regular basis.

The practice is open from 8am to 6pm Monday to Friday. Appointments are offered between those times. Extended hours are offered from 6pm to 8pm, on Mondays and Tuesdays. Outside of these times patients are directed to contact the out of hour’s service and the NHS 111 number. This is in line with local contract arrangements.

The practice offers a range of appointment types including face to face same day appointments, telephone consultations and advance appointments (four weeks in advance) as well as online services such as repeat prescriptions.

The practice has a Primary Medical Services (PMS) contract with NHS England.

This report relates to the regulatory activities being carried out at the following site:

East Street

South Molton

Devon

EX36 3BU

We visited this location during our inspection.

Updated 24 May 2018

This practice is rated as Good overall. (Previous inspection October 2015 – Good)

The key questions 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 South Molton Medical Centre on 17 April 2018 as part of our inspection programme.

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 routinely reviewed the effectiveness and appropriateness of the care they provided. They 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.
• There was a strong focus on continuous learning and improvement at all levels of the organisation.
• The practice had achieved a successful merger with a neighbouring practice over the last two years. The merger included managing major rebuilding works on site, and the merging of two staff teams. Patients told us there had been minimal disruption to the service and were positive about their involvement in the process.

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

Updated 24 May 2018

Updated 24 May 2018

Updated 24 May 2018

Updated 24 May 2018

Updated 24 May 2018

Updated 24 May 2018