Updated 12 March 2025
Date of Assessment: 01 May 2025 to 06 May 2025. Thorpe-le-Soken Surgery is a GP practice and delivers service to 7,513 under a contract held with NHS England. There is a branch surgery at Kirby Cross, patients can access services at either surgery. The practice dispenses medicines to approximately 1048 people living in the rural areas of the practice population. Information published by Office for Health Improvement and Disparities shows that deprivation within the practice population group is in the 5th decile (5 of 10). The lower the decile, the more deprived the practice population is relative to others. This assessment considered the demographics of the people using the practice, the context the practice was working within and how this impacted their service delivery. Where relevant, further commentary is provided in the quality statements section of this report.
SAFE: The service had a good learning culture and people could raise concerns. Evidence provided showed managers investigated incidents thoroughly. People were protected and kept safe. Staff understood and risks and incidents were discussed in staff meetings. The facilities and equipment met the needs of people, and we observed they were clean and well-maintained, and any risks mitigated. There were enough staff with the right skills, qualifications and experience to meet the needs of people using the practice. We found staff had received training and regular appraisals to maintain the delivery of high-quality care. Evidence seen showed medicine was well managed and people were involved in planning any changes.
EFFECTIVE: People were involved in the assessment of their needs. Staff reviewed assessments taking into account people’s communication, personal and health care needs. Health care provision was based on latest clinical guidance, good outcome evidence, and good practice. Staff worked with stakeholders involved in people’s care and treatment for the best outcomes and smooth transitions when moving between services. Staff made sure people understood their care and treatment to enable them to give informed consent. Staff involved those people that took decisions in people’s best interests when they did not have capacity.
WELL-LED: Leaders and staff had a shared vision and culture based on honesty openness, listening, learning and trust. Leaders were visible, knowledgeable and supportive, helping staff to develop in their roles. Staff felt supported to give feedback and were treated equally, free from bullying or harassment. Staff understood their roles and responsibilities. Managers worked with the local Primary Care Network (PCN) to deliver the best possible care and were receptive to new ideas. There was a culture of continuous improvement with staff given time and resources to try new ideas.
People’s experience commentary
People were positive about the quality of their care and treatment. Recent survey results, including from the National GP Patient Survey and the NHS Friends and Family Test, showed the majority of people were satisfied with services. The practice stayed connected with their patient participation group (PPG) via a Facebook group who were able to represent the views of people using the service. We spoke with 4 people using the services at the practice on the day of the site visit, they provided positive comments about the staff, clinicians, the practice environment, how they accessed the practice and the involvement in their care and treatment.