Archived: Waterbeach Surgery

Updated 5 November 2015

Letter from the Chief Inspector of General Practice

We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection of this practice on 20 May 2015. A breach of legal requirements was found. After the comprehensive inspection, the practice wrote to us to say what they would do to meet legal requirements in relation to ensuring robust processes were in place to assess the risk of and prevent, detect and control the spread of infection, including those that are health care acquired. The flooring in a clinical room was not appropriate in order to effectively control the spread of infection.

We undertook this focused inspection to check that they had followed their plan and to confirm that they now met legal requirements. This report only covers our findings in relation to those requirements. You can read the report from our last comprehensive inspection, by selecting the 'all reports' link for on our website at www.cqc.org.uk

Professor Steve Field (CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP) 

Chief Inspector of General Practice

Updated 2 July 2015

The practice is rated as good for the population group of people with long term conditions. Emergency processes were in place and referrals made for patients in this group that had a sudden deterioration in health. When needed, longer appointments and home visits were available. The practice offered nurse led clinic appointments for a number of long term conditions, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and diabetes. All patients with long term conditions had structured reviews, at least annually, to check their health and medication needs were being met. Patients with multiple long term conditions were reviewed in one extended appointment. For those people with the most complex needs the GPs and nurses worked with relevant health care professionals to deliver a multidisciplinary package of care.

Updated 2 July 2015

The practice is rated as good for the population group of families, children and young people. Patients told us, and we saw evidence, that children and young people were treated in an age appropriate way and recognised as individuals. Appointments were available outside of school hours and the premises were suitable for children and babies. A midwife led clinic was available for patients on a weekly basis. A recall system was in place for the mother and baby six week check. Emergency processes were in place and referrals made for children and pregnant women who had a sudden deterioration in health. Chlamydia screening was above average when compared with other practices in the Clinical Commissioning Group.

Updated 2 July 2015

The practice is rated as good for the care of older people. Nationally reported data showed the practice had good outcomes for conditions commonly found amongst older people. Patients over the age of 75 had a named GP who was responsible for the coordination of their care. The practice offered proactive, personalised care to meet the needs of the older people in its population. The practice was responsive to the needs of older people, including offering morning home visits and rapid access appointments for those with enhanced needs. The on call GP at the practice reviewed the out of hour reports early in the morning. This ensured that patients who needed to receive intervention from a GP were identified early and intervention undertaken to meet their needs. Changes had been made to the appointments system so the GPs could undertake home visits to vulnerable and frail elderly patients earlier in the day. This enabled them to have more time to engage appropriate care and support according to the patients’ needs. Flu vaccination uptake was above average when compared with other practices in the Clinical Commissioning Group.

Updated 2 July 2015

The practice is rated as good for the population group of the working-age people (including those recently retired and students). The needs of the working age population, those recently retired and students had been identified and the practice had adjusted the services it offered to ensure these were accessible, flexible and offered continuity of care. Early morning appointments were available on Tuesday mornings each week from 6.45am to 8am and Wednesday evenings each week from 6.30pm to 7.45pm. The practice offered same day telephone consultations for non-urgent medical matters where patients felt a visit to the practice was not necessary. A full range of health promotion and screening which reflects the needs for this age group was also available. Flu vaccination uptake was above average for patients aged under 65 and at risk, when compared with other practices in the Clinical Commissioning Group.

Updated 2 July 2015

The practice is rated as good for the population group of people experiencing poor mental health (including people with dementia). Nationally reported data showed the practice scored above the Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) and below the England average for people with mental health needs. They scored lower than average for patients with dementia, although the GPs felt this was a recording issue, rather than intervention not being undertaken. The practice worked with multi-disciplinary teams in the case management of people experiencing poor mental health including those with dementia. The practice had in place advance care planning for patients with dementia. We found the knowledge of the GPs in relation to mental health was good and patient representatives we spoke with confirmed this. Patients were referred to other mental health services as appropriate.

Updated 2 July 2015

The practice is rated as good for the population group of people whose circumstances may make them vulnerable. Nationally reported data showed the practice performed above the Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) and England average for people with a learning disability. The practice held a register of patients with a learning disability and 75% had received an annual health check in the previous year. There was a process for following up vulnerable patients who did not attend for their appointment. We were told that longer appointments were given to patients who needed more time to communicate during a consultation, for example people who needed an interpreter. There were arrangements for supporting patients whose first language was not English. The practice worked with multi-disciplinary teams in the case management of vulnerable people. The practice had sign-posted vulnerable patients to various support groups and third sector organisations. Staff knew how to recognise signs of abuse in vulnerable adults and children. Staff were aware of their responsibilities regarding information sharing, documentation of safeguarding concerns and how to contact relevant agencies in and out of hours.