Archived: Dr Kalwant Singh Koonar

Updated 3 March 2016

Dr Koonar occupies purpose built GP premises in Grimsby, North East Lincolnshire. They have a Primary Medical Services (PMS) contract and also offer enhanced services, for example; extended hours, minor surgery and facilitating timely diagnosis and support for people with dementia.

There are 2072 patients on the practice list and the majority of patients are of white British background. The proportion of the practice population in the 65 years and over age group is similar to the England average. The practice population in the under 18 age group is similar to the England average. The practice scored eight on the deprivation measurement scale which indicates the area is not vey deprived. People living in more deprived areas tend to have greater need for health services. The overall practice deprivation score is similar to the England average (the practice is 13.9 and the England average is 23.6).

The practice has two GP Partners, both male. There is one practice nurse and one health care assistant. There is a practice manager and four receptionist and administration staff.

The practice is open between 8am and 6.30pm Mondays to Fridays and has extended hours until 7.30pm on Tuesdays. Appointments are available Monday to Friday 9.20am to 11.20am and 5pm to 6pm and until 7.20pm on Tuesday. Patients requiring a GP outside of normal working hours are advised to contact the local Out Of Hours Service or NHS 111.

Updated 3 March 2016

Letter from the Chief Inspector of General Practice

We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection at Dr Kalwant Singh Koonar on 24 November 2015. Overall the practice is rated as good.

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

• There was an open and transparent approach to safety and an effective system in place for reporting and recording significant events.
• Risks to patients were assessed and well managed.

• Staff assessed patients’ needs and delivered care in line with current evidence based guidance.
• Staff had the skills, knowledge and experience to deliver effective care and treatment.
• 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. There were urgent appointments available the same day.
• The practice had good facilities and was well equipped to treat patients and meet their needs.
• There was a clear leadership structure and staff felt supported by management.
• The provider was aware of and complied with the requirements of the Duty of Candour (i.e. any patient harmed by the provision of a healthcare service is informed of the fact and an appropriate remedy offered, regardless of whether a complaint has been made or a question asked about it).
• The practice had proactively sought feedback from patients and had an active patient participation group.
• Patients’ confidentiality was respected. Whilst conversations at the reception desk could be overheard, there was a private room if required.

Professor Steve Field (CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP) 

Chief Inspector of General Practice

Updated 3 March 2016

The practice is rated as good for the care of people with long-term conditions.

• All these patients had a named GP and an annual review to check that their health and medicines needs were being met. For those people with the most complex needs, the named GP worked with relevant health and care professionals to deliver a multidisciplinary package of care.
• Nursing staff had lead roles in chronic disease management.
• Consultations and support were available by telephone. Longer appointments and home visits were available when needed.
• The practice also used the information they collected for the Quality and Outcomes Framework (QOF) and their performance against national screening programmes to monitor outcomes for patients

Updated 3 March 2016

The practice is rated as good for the care of families, children and young people.

• Immunisation rates were relatively high for all standard childhood immunisations.
• Patients told us that children and young people were treated in an age-appropriate way and were recognised as individuals, and we saw evidence to confirm this.
• Appointments were available outside of school hours and the premises were suitable for children and babies.
• Nationally reported data showed 86.9% of women aged 25-64 had had a cervical screening test performed in the preceding 5 years (01/04/2010 to 31/03/2015), this was higher than the national average figure for England (77.1%).

Updated 3 March 2016

The practice is rated as good for the care of older people.

• The practice offered proactive, personalised care to meet the needs of the older people in its population.
• It was responsive to the needs of older people, and offered home visits and urgent appointments for those with enhanced needs.

Updated 3 March 2016

The practice is rated as good for the care of 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.
• The practice was proactive in offering online services as well as a full range of health promotion and screening that reflected the needs for this age group.

Updated 3 March 2016

The practice is rated as good for the care of people experiencing poor mental health (including people with dementia).

• 71.4% of people diagnosed with dementia had had their care reviewed in a face to face meeting in the last 12 months compared to the national average 84.0%.
• The practice regularly worked with multi-disciplinary teams in the case management of people experiencing poor mental health, including those with dementia.
• The practice had told patients experiencing poor mental health about how to access various support groups and voluntary organisations.
• 100% of patients with schizophrenia, bipolar affective disorder and other psychoses have had a comprehensive, agreed care plan documented in their record, in the preceding 12 months (01/04/2014 to 31/03/2015) compared to the national average 88.5%.
• Staff had a good understanding of how to support people with mental health needs and dementia.

Updated 3 March 2016

The practice is rated as good for the care of people whose circumstances may make them vulnerable.

• The practice held a register of patients living in vulnerable circumstances including those with a learning disability. The practice had identified patients with a learning disability.
• The practice worked with multi-disciplinary teams in the case management of vulnerable people.
• 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 normal working hours and out of hours.