Archived: Village Medical Practice

Updated 10 September 2015

The Village Medical Practice is a small  practice serving the health needs of approximately 1950 patients of which there is a fairly even split between male and females.

The practice team consists of two GP partners. One GP is a non-practicing partner who is not involved in the day to day running of the practice. The other GP partner has been there over 25 years and works nine out of the ten weekly sessions available. There is one practice nurse and a health care assistant.

The practice operates a GMS contract and is supported by an administration and reception team and the practice manager.

The practice is located at:

164 Station Road, West Moors, Ferndown, Dorset, BH22 0JB

The opening hours are Monday to Friday 830am to 1pm. and 2pm to 630pm There is extended opening to 730pm on Mondays.

Out of hours services are provided for patients by using the NHS 111 service. There is level access to the building, wide doors to allow for wheelchair access and good access to consultation rooms. Accessible toilets are available throughout the building.

The practice has a clear and easy to follow website and patients can arrange appointments and repeat prescriptions online.

Updated 10 September 2015

Letter from the Chief Inspector of General Practice

We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection at The Village Medical Practice on 26th June 2015. Overall the practice is rated as requires improvement.

Specifically, we found the practice to require improvement for providing safe, effective, and well led services. It also required improvement for providing services for the population groups older people, people with long term conditions, families, children and young people, working age people including those recently retired and students, vulnerable people and people experiencing poor mental health including dementia. We found the practice was good for providing caring and responsive services.

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 and monitored.
• Risks to patients were assessed with the exception of those relating to recruitment checks.
• Data showed patient outcomes were average for the locality. Although some audits had been carried out, we saw no evidence that audits were driving improvement in performance to improve patient outcomes.
• Data showed the practice was rated better that the locality or national average for patient satisfaction.
• Patients said they were treated with compassion, dignity and respect and they were involved in their care and decisions about their treatment.
• Accurate patient records were not kept.
• Information about services and how to complain was available and easy to understand.
• Urgent appointments were available on the day they were requested.
• The practice did not hold regular governance meetings.

The areas where the provider must make improvements are:

• Ensure recruitment arrangements include all necessary employment checks for all staff.
• Ensure audits of practice are undertaken, including completed clinical audit cycles.
• Ensure the safeguarding lead is appropriately qualified and trained to undertake the role.
• Ensure all patient records are accurate, up to date and kept securely.
• Ensure information is accessed by a uniquely identifiable computer log in.
• Ensure legionella risk assessments and checks are carried out.

In addition the provider should:

• Have a clear vision for the future of the practice.
• Have appropriate plans in place to deal with a long term absence of the GP.
• Be proactive in ensuring immunisation of the patients for protection against infectious disease.
• Have an automated external defibrillator (AED) at the practice.
• Check medicine fridge temperatures in accordance with the practice policy.

Professor Steve Field (CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP) 

Chief Inspector of General Practice

Updated 10 September 2015

Specialist clinics are run for patients with long term conditions such as diabetes, asthma, and chronic heart disease. All patients are reminded to have an annual health check and these are followed up with phone calls. Patient attendance is minimised where possible by arranging other tests or reviews at the same time. This is covered by having longer appointments in these circumstances.

Some patients are managed by secondary care such as those with parkinsons or alzheimers.

Updated 10 September 2015

The practice nurse gives childhood immunisations in accordance with national guidance. Arrangements with other practices are in place to carry out baby checks.

Same day appointments are always offered to children.

Updated 10 September 2015

Over 75s are monitored and reviewed to help prevent unplanned admissions. There was a care plan in place for every patient who may be at risk of an unplanned admission.

Extended appointments are available to every patient on request. The flu and shingles vaccination are offered to all patients who need one.

Updated 10 September 2015

Extended hours appointments are offered to the working age population. The practice nurse also offers extended hours appointments.

Updated 10 September 2015

All patients with dementia or poor mental health are referred to the local mental health team. The practice reviews any requests from the local mental health team. All patients receive an annual check up and all patients are reviewed by the GP at appointments.

Updated 10 September 2015

Vulnerable patients are identified and health visitors are contacted prior to each clinical meeting to ascertain if there are any other concerns. All vulnerable patients are reviewed at each monthly clinical meeting.