Archived: The Practice South Woodham Ferrers

Updated 28 May 2015

The Practice South Woodham Ferrers is situated in South Woodham Ferrers, Essex. The practice is one of 48 GP practices in the Mid Essex Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) area. The practice has an alternative provider medical services (APMS) contract with the NHS. There are approximately 5100 patients registered at the practice. The practice undertakes minor surgical procedures.

The practice has four GPs working at the practice, three of which are salaried. One GP is the designated clinical lead. There is a mixture of male and female GPs. The GPs are supported by four nurses, two of them being nurse practitioners. There is also one health care assistant. There is a practice manager and an assistant practice manager and a team of reception and administration staff who undertake various duties.

The surgery is open Monday to Friday between 8am and 6.30pm on Monday to Friday with a late evening surgery on Wednesday until 8.45pm. Surgeries run in the mornings and afternoons each day. The practice is closed at weekends but open on Saturday mornings in the winter period for flu vaccinations. The practice has opted out of providing 'out of hours’ services which is now provided by another healthcare provider. Patients can also contact the emergency 111 service to obtain medical advice if necessary.

Updated 28 May 2015

Letter from the Chief Inspector of General Practice

We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection at The Practice, South Woodham Ferrers on 06 March 2015. Overall the practice is rated as good.

Specifically, we found the practice to be good for providing safe, effective, caring, responsive and well-led services. It was also good for providing services for all of the population groups we looked at.

Our key findings across all the areas we inspected were as follows:

• Staff understood and fulfilled their responsibilities to raise concerns, and to report incidents and near misses. Information about safety was recorded, monitored, appropriately reviewed and addressed.
• Risks to patients were assessed and well managed
• Patients’ needs were assessed and care was planned and delivered following best practice guidance. Staff had received training appropriate to their roles and any further training needs had been identified and planned.
• Patients said they were treated with compassion, dignity and respect and they were involved in their care and decisions about their treatment.
• Information about services and how to complain was available and easy to understand.
• Patients said they found it easy to make an appointment with a named GP and that there was continuity of care, with urgent appointments available the same day.
• The practice had facilities that were well equipped to treat patients and meet their needs.
• There was a clear leadership structure and staff felt supported by management.
• The practice proactively sought feedback from staff and patients, which it acted on. There was a very active, well supported patient reference group that was consulted about improving services.

Professor Steve Field (CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP) 

Chief Inspector of General Practice

Updated 28 May 2015

The practice is rated as good for patients with long-term conditions. Patients had a named GP so they could receive continuity of care. Longer appointments were provided for those patients that needed them. Home visits and telephone consultations were available if they were unable to attend the surgery. Annual reviews took place of their medicines and their general health. Some nursing staff had received specialist training in respiratory care and diabetes management. Patients with diabetes received additional support using an individualised care and management plan. Health care assistants provided a phlebotomy service including monitoring patients on blood thinning medicines. Smoking cessation advice was available. Patients identified as at risk of deteriorating health were monitored to reduce the risk of hospital admission. Patients who did not attend for appointments or reviews were contacted to ensure they were fit and well. Multidisciplinary team working took place with other healthcare professionals to provide the right care and treatment and a package of care.

Updated 28 May 2015

The practice is rated as good for the care of families, children and young people. A community midwife attended the practice each week to hold antenatal clinics. Childhood immunisations were available twice each week via an appointment. Immunisation rates were relatively high for all standard childhood immunisations. The nurses and GP carried out six/eight week baby checks. Family planning advice was available including the fitting of contraception devices. There was liaison with a local secondary school to provide contraceptive advice. Staff were trained in safeguarding procedures in relation to children and young persons. Flexible appointment times were available so that children could be seen outside of school hours. We saw good examples of joint working with midwives, health visitors and school nurses. Staff were aware of Gillick competence in relation to children under 16 requesting appointments without a parent/guardian being present.

Updated 28 May 2015

The practice is rated as good for the care of older people. All patients over 75 had a named GP. Carers were identified and offered support. Home visits were available to those patients who were house bound. A community phlebotomy service, undertaken by the health visitors at the practice, was available so elderly patients could have their blood taken in their own homes. The practice nurses visited elderly people in their homes to provide flu vaccinations. Meetings took place with the community matron who was made aware of the care needs of elderly patients. Staff were trained in safeguarding procedures in relation to the elderly and vulnerable and knew the different signs of abuse.

Updated 28 May 2015

The practice is rated as good for the care of working-age people (including those recently retired and students). Extended opening hours were available on one evening each week and early appointments on some mornings. Patients could book appointments on-line. An open surgery, when appointments was not required, ran daily offering flexibility. Saturday morning flu vaccination clinics were available in the winter months. Health screening was available for patients to identify any healthcare issues and opportunities for prevention. Lifestyle advice was available for patients.

Updated 28 May 2015

The practice is rated as good for the care of people experiencing poor mental health (including people with dementia). Patients experiencing poor mental health had received an annual physical health check. The practice worked with other healthcare professionals including mental health crisis and counselling teams. Mental health counselling was available weekly. Longer appointments were available when necessary. Patients with dementia were supported by the practice. They were given an annual review of their health and care needs. There was liaison with the local dementia care services so that patients could be monitored in their own homes. The practice endeavoured to see dementia patients on time to reduce anxiety and stress to them caused by waiting. Partnership working was taking place to support patients and their carers. Staff had received training on how to care for people with mental health needs and dementia.

Updated 28 May 2015

The practice is rated as good for the care of people whose circumstances may make them vulnerable. Patients with learning disabilities were included on a register so they could be regularly monitored. Annual health checks took place or earlier if required. Longer appointments were available so that issues could be discussed and understood. The facilities at the practice supported patients with disabilities. Carers were identified and offered appropriate support. The practice regularly worked with multi-disciplinary teams in the case management of vulnerable people. Vulnerable patients and/or their carers were signposted to various support groups and voluntary organisations. Staff knew how to recognise signs of abuse in vulnerable adults and children.