The Vale Surgery

Updated 22 November 2018

The Vale Surgery provides primary medical services in the London Borough of Lambeth to approximately 9,000 patients. The practice operates at Streatham Vale, Streatham, London, SW16 5SE. The practice is based in a purpose-built building, from which the practice has been operating since 2009.

The practice population is in the fifth most deprived decile in England. The practice population’s age demographic is broadly in line with the local average, in that there are proportionally more patients between the age of 15 and 64 than the national average.

The practice is managed by three partners. The GP team at the surgery is made up of five GPs (including the partners) working to the equivalent of 4.15 whole time staff. There is also a nurse practitioner, two practice nurses, a pharmacist and a healthcare assistant. There is a practice manager and an assistant practice manager. The team is supported by eight other administrative and reception staff. The practice operates under a Personal Medical Services (PMS) contract.

The practice reception is open between 8:30am and 6:30pm Monday to Friday. There are extended hours on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings from 6:30 to 8:00pm. The practice is also open on Saturday mornings from 9am until 12:30pm When the practice is closed patients are directed to contact the local out of hours service.

The practice is registered with the Care Quality Commission to provide the regulated activities of treatment of disease, disorder or injury, and diagnostic and screening services.

Updated 22 November 2018

This practice is rated as Good overall. The practice was previously inspected in November 2015 and was rated as good overall. At the 2015 inspection the practice was rated as good for effective, caring, responsive and well led. It was rated as requires improvement for safe.

At this inspection 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 The Vale Surgery on 23 October 2018.

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 had implemented defined and embedded systems to minimise risks to patient safety.
• Staff were aware of current evidence based guidance. Staff had been trained to provide them with the skills and knowledge to deliver effective care and treatment.
• The practice routinely reviewed the effectiveness and appropriateness of the care it provided. It ensured care and treatment was delivered according to evidence- based guidelines.
• Staff involved and treated patients with compassion, kindness, dignity and respect.
• Information about services and how to complain was available.
• 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 area where the provider should make improvements is:

• Review the availability of appointments on the basis of patient feedback.
• Review how the practice identifies carers.

Professor Steve Field CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP

Chief Inspector of General Practice

Please refer to the detailed report and the evidence tables for further information.

Updated 22 November 2018

Updated 22 November 2018

Updated 22 November 2018

Updated 22 November 2018

Updated 22 November 2018

Updated 22 November 2018