Wilmslow Health Centre

Updated 3 May 2016

Wilmslow Health Centre is the largest practice within Wilmslow serving a practice population of 12,310 patients. The practice catchment area is classed as within the group of least deprived areas in England relative to other local authorities. For example, income deprivation affecting children was 7% compared to the national average of 23%.

At the time of inspection there were five whole time equivalent GPs, three full time GPs and two part time GPs, Of these four were male and three female. In addition as the practice was a training practice and there were also two GP registrars. (A qualified doctor who is training to become a GP through a period of working and training in a practice. They will usually have spent at least two years working in a hospital before you see them in a practice and are closely supervised by a senior GP or trainer.) They are supported by a nurse practitioner, a practice nurse and two healthcare assistants.

Clinical staff are supported by a practice manager, assistant manager and administration staff.

The male life expectancy for the area is 82 years compared with the CCG averages of 81 years and the National average of 79 years. The female life expectancy for the area is 85 years compared with the CCG averages of 84 years and the National average of 83 years

The reception, waiting areas, consulting rooms and disabled toilet facilities are on the ground floor. There is step free access into the building and easy access for those in wheelchairs or with pushchairs. There is also a car park attached to the building.

The practice is open between 8 am and 6.30pm with extended hours on Tuesdays until 8.30pm , Fridays between 7.30am and 6.30pm and Saturdays between 8.15am and 12pm.

Appointments with GP’s are available between 8.30am and 6.30pm.

Out of hours care can be accessed via the surgery telephone number and is provided by GP Out of Hours Primary Care Centre or by calling the NHS111 service.

Updated 3 May 2016

Letter from the Chief Inspector of General Practice

We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection at Wilmslow Health Centre on 23 February 2016. Overall the practice is rated as good.

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

• 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 decisions about their care and treatment.
• Information about services and how to complain was available on request 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. However the practice could not produce updated maintenance certificates for gas and electrical systems.
• 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.
• The provider was aware of and complied with the requirements of the Duty of Candour, in that they open and transparent with people who use their service in relation to care and treatment.

The areas where the provider should make improvement are:

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

• To ensure certificates demonstrating safety checks of the facilities are in place including gas and electrical safety.
• Ensure all staff have received an annual appraisal.

• Re-instate the patient participation group to ensure patients can give feedback, comments and suggestions and are engaged with the future developments of the practice.

• Ensure that information on how to complain being openly available and accessible to people wishing to make a complaint

Professor Steve Field (CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP) 

Chief Inspector of General Practice

Updated 3 May 2016

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

• Nursing staff had lead roles in chronic disease management and patients at risk of hospital admission were identified as a priority.

• Performance for diabetes related indicators was higher than the national average. For example The percentage of patients with diabetes, on the register, who have had influenza immunisation in the preceding 1 August to 31 March (01/04/2014 to 31/03/2015) was 96% compared to the national average of 94%.

• Longer appointments and home visits were available when needed.

• All these patients had a named GP and a structured annual review to check their health and medicines needs were being met. For those patients with the most complex needs, the named GP worked with relevant health and care professionals to deliver a multidisciplinary package of care.

• Data reported nationally was that outcomes were comparable to that of other practices for conditions commonly found in older people.

Updated 3 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 relatively high for all standard childhood immunisations.

• In the last 12 months, 70% 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 the last 5 years 86% of patients had received cervical screening against an 80% target.

• Appointments were available outside of school hours and the premises were suitable for children and babies.

• We saw positive examples of joint working with midwives, health visitors and school nurses.

Updated 3 May 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.

• The practice was responsive to the needs of older people, and offered home visits and urgent appointments for those with enhanced needs.

• The practice worked with a number of care homes to reduce numbers of unplanned admissions to hospital and we noted that care planning for older people was of high standard.

Updated 3 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 3 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 3 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.