Archived: Dr Satya Narayan Sharma

Updated 6 May 2016

The practice of Dr SN Sharma also know as Elmview surgery is based in a purpose built facility in a residential area of Atherton close to local amenities. The practice is located in a more deprived area when compared to other practices nationally. The male life expectancy for the area is 76 years compared with the CCG average of 77 years and the national average of 79 years. The female life expectancy for the area is 81 years compared with the CCG average of 81 years and the national average of 83 years. There were 1830 patients on the practice list at the time of inspection.

There is one male GP, a practice manager and administration/reception staff.

The practice advertises that it is open Monday to Friday from 8am to 6.30pm and each Monday it offers extended opening hours from 6.30pm-7.30pm. GP appointments are available from 9am until 6pm patients requiring a GP outside of normal working hours are advised to contact the surgery and they will be directed to the local out of hours service which is provided by Bridgewater NHS Foundation Trust –through NHS 111. Additionally patients can access GP services on Saturdays and Sundays through the Wigan GP access alliance at locations across the borough.

Updated 6 May 2016

Letter from the Chief Inspector of General Practice

We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection at Dr Satya Narayan Sharma, also know as ‘The Elmfield Surgery’ on 08 March 2016. 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 with a named GP and that there was continuity of care, with 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.

The areas where the provider must make improvements are:

• Ensure the proper and safe management of medicines, vaccinations should be stored securely.

• Ensure sufficient equipment (oxygen) is available in case of emergencies.

The areas where the provider should make improvement are:

• Review systems to accurately record and share learning from significant events and complaints widely and in a timely manner to prevent re-occurrence.

• Ensure the practice introduces a patient participation group to enable patients to give feedback, comments and suggestions and are engaged with the future developments of the practice and review systems to act on patient feedback to improve services.

• Review the role of the infection control lead and develop processes to ensure regular practice led audits are undertaken.

Professor Steve Field (CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP) 

Chief Inspector of General Practice

Updated 6 May 2016

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

• Chronic disease management and patients at risk of hospital admission were identified as a priority.

• Longer appointments and home visits were available when needed.

• Performance for diabetes related indicators was comparable to the national average. For example, the percentage of patients with diabetes, on the register, who had had an influenza immunisation in the preceding 1 August 2014 to 31 March 2015 was 92% compared to the national average of 94%.

Updated 6 May 2016

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

• There were systems in place to identify and follow up children living in disadvantaged circumstances and who were at risk, for example, children and young people who had a high number of A&E attendances. Immunisation rates were comparable for all standard childhood immunisations.For example, measles, mumps and rubella dose two for children upto the age of five was 100% compared to Clinical Commissioning Group average of 92%.

• In the last 12 months, 78% of patients diagnosed with asthma, had undergone a review of their care compared to the national average of 75%.

• 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.

• In thepreceding 5 years 76% of patients had received cervical screening compared to the national average of 82%.

Updated 6 May 2016

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

• Nationally reported data showed that outcomes for patients were good for conditions commonly found in older people. The practice kept up to date registers of patients’ health conditions.

• The practice had identified patients who were at risk of unplanned hospital admissions and supported these patients to stay well at home, avoiding unplanned hospital admission.

Updated 6 May 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 reflects the needs for this age group.

Updated 6 May 2016

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

• The practice regularly worked with multi-disciplinary teams in the case management of people experiencing poor mental health, including those with dementia.

• The practice carried out advance care planning for patients with dementia.

• The practice had told patients experiencing poor mental health about how to access various support groups and voluntary organisations.

• The practice had a system in place to follow up patients who had attended accident and emergency where they may have been experiencing poor mental health.

• Staff had a good understanding of how to support patients with mental health needs and dementia.

Updated 6 May 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 homeless people, travellers and those with a learning disability.

• The practice offered longer appointments for patients with a learning disability.

• The practice regularly worked with multi-disciplinary teams in the case management of vulnerable people.

• The practice informed vulnerable patients about how to access various support groups and voluntary 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 normal working hours and out of hours.