This practice is rated as Good overall. (Previous rating July 2015 – Good)
The key questions at this inspection are rated as:
Are services safe? – Good
Are services effective? – Good
Are services caring? – Good
Are services responsive? – Good
Are services well-led? - Good
We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection at Topsham Surgery on 24 July 2018 as part of our inspection programme.
At this inspection we found:
- The practice had clear systems to manage risk so that safety incidents were less likely to happen. When incidents did happen, the practice learned from them and improved their processes.
- The practice routinely reviewed the effectiveness and appropriateness of the care it provided. It ensured that care and treatment was delivered according to evidence- based guidelines.
- Staff involved and treated patients with compassion, kindness, dignity and respect.
- Patients found the appointment system easy to use and reported that they were able to access care when they needed it.
- There was a strong focus on continuous learning and improvement at all levels of the organisation.
- The practice worked closely with a local charity and one of the practice GPs chaired the local Estuary League of Friends which offered befriending and support for patients without family or friends and helped them access benefits and arrange social or personal care.
- The practice provided care plans and annual reviews to patients at a local drug and alcohol dependency unit which housed approximately 35 patients.
- The practice participated in the clinical commissioning group Referrals Enhanced Service. This was a service which provided reasons for referrals, examined any outliers and offered specialist support as a result. For example, a musculoskeletal (MSK) specialist had visited the practice to give a presentation to GPs following high numbers of referrals to a MSK specialist.
We saw two areas of outstanding practice:
- There was supported housing for survivors of domestic abuse and a home for patients with long term mental illness within the practice area. The nurse manager provided in-house training for staff at these homes, as well as providing appropriate vaccinations and regular health checks.
- The practice provided a weekly surgery at the West of England School for the blind and partially sighted. This provided a high level of care and treatment for around 40 children and young adults with complex special needs and complex prescribing.
Professor Steve Field CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGPChief Inspector of General Practice
Please refer to the detailed report and the evidence tables for further information.