Archived: Cornerstone Medical Practice

Updated 8 January 2015

Cornerstone Medical Practice has 1,848 registered patients and is part of Salford Clinical Commissioning Group. There is one GP, a practice manager, a practice nurse and assistant practitioner and supporting administration and reception staff.  One of the administration staff is also trained as a phlebotomist and delivers this service one day per week and on an ad hoc basis when requested by the GP. The practice works with another practice, where  the GP is also the registered manager. These practices cover each other’s duties when required to ensure continuity of services.

The practice delivers commissioned services under the Personal Medical Services (PMS) contract.

The practice offers a range of services for its patient population. Cornerstone Medical Practice is registered with the CQC as a provider of primary medical services. The GP is also legally responsible for making sure the practice meets CQC requirements as the registered manager.

The practice is registered with the CQC as a provider of primary medical services that includes the following regulated activities:

• Diagnostic and screening procedures
• Maternity and midwifery services
• Treatment of disease, disorder or injury

The Practice is open as follows:

• Monday 08:00 – 18:30
• Tuesday 08:00 – 18:30
• Wednesday 08:00 – 12:30
• Thursday 08:00 – 18:30
• Friday 08:00 – 18:30
• Weekends closed

Patients can book appointments in person, via the phone and online. The practice makes every effort to see patients within 48 hours of their request. Urgent appointments are available  following the initial request being assessed by the GP.  Appointments can be pre-booked up to 4 weeks in advance or patients can contact the surgery at any time to request an appointment.  Emergency appointments are available each day by ringing at 08:00. There is an out of hours service available provided through the NHS 111 service.

Information from the General Practice Outcome Standards (GPOS), Quality Outcomes Framework (QOF) and Salford Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) information showed the practice rated as an achieving practice. 

Updated 8 January 2015

Letter from the Chief Inspector of General Practice

We carried out a comprehensive inspection of Cornerstone Medical Practice on 21 October 2014. We found that the provider was performing at a level which led to a ratings judgement of Good.

Our key findings were as follows:

• The practice was safe, staff reported incidents and learning took place. The practice had enough sufficient staff to deliver the service.

• The practice was effective. Services were delivered using evidence based practice.

• The premises was clean and fit for purpose and equipment was available for staff to undertake their duties.

• Staff were caring and compassionate, treated patients with kindness and respect and we saw good examples of care.

• The practice was responsive to the needs of patients and took into account any comments, concerns or complaints to improve the practice.

• The practice was well led, with an accessible and visible management team, governance systems and processes are in place and there is performance and quality management information available. Quality was high on the practice agenda.

Professor Steve Field (CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP) 

Chief Inspector of General Practice

Updated 8 January 2015

The practice is rated as good for the population group of people with long term conditions.  Emergency processes were in place and referrals made for patients in this group that had a sudden deterioration in health. When needed longer appointments and home visits were available. All these patients had structured annual reviews to check their health and medication needs were being met. For those people with the most complex needs the GP worked with relevant health and care professionals to deliver a multidisciplinary package of care.

Updated 8 January 2015

The practice is rated as good for the population group of families, children and young people. Systems were in place for identifying and following-up children living in disadvantaged circumstances and who were at risk. Immunisation rates were relatively high for all standard childhood immunisations. Patients told us and we saw evidence that children and young people were treated in an age appropriate way and recognised as individuals. Appointments were available outside of school hours and the premises was suitable for children and babies. We were provided with good examples of joint working with midwives, health visitors and school nurses.  For children and young people Gillick assessments were completed.

Updated 8 January 2015

The practice is rated as good for the care of older people.  Nationally reported data showed the practice had good outcomes for conditions commonly found amongst older people.  The practice offered personalised care to meet the needs of the older people in its population and had a range of enhanced services, for example in dementia and end of life care.  The practice was responsive to the needs of older people, including offering home visits and rapid access appointments for those with enhanced needs.

We found the practice worked well with other agencies and health providers to provide support and access specialist help when needed. We found that treatment and care was delivered in line with the patient’s needs and circumstances, including their personal expectations, values and choices.

Where older people had complex needs then special patient notes or summary care records were shared with local care services including the out of hours provision. End of life care information was shared with other local services.

Updated 8 January 2015

The practice is rated as good for the population group of the working-age people (including those recently retired). The needs of the working age population, those recently retired, had been identified and the practice had adjusted the services it offered to ensure these were accessible, flexible and offer continuity of care. The practice was proactive in offering online services as well as a full range of health promotion and screening which reflects the needs for this age group. This included smoking cessation and weight management. Health promotion information was accessible in the practice and also on the website.

Updated 8 January 2015

The practice is rated as good for the population group of people experiencing poor mental health (including people with dementia). Patients registered with the practice people experiencing poor mental health had received an annual physical health check. The practice regularly worked with multi-disciplinary teams in the case management of people experiencing poor mental health including those with dementia.

The practice had sign-posted patients experiencing poor mental health to various support groups and third sector organisations including MIND and SANE. The practice had a system in place to follow up on patients who had attended accident and emergency where there may have been mental health needs. Staff had received training on how to care for people with mental health needs and dementia.

Updated 8 January 2015

The practice is rated as good for the population group of people whose circumstances may make them vulnerable. The practice held a register of patients living in vulnerable circumstances including those with learning disabilities. The practice had carried out annual health checks for people with learning disabilities. The practice offered longer appointments for people with learning disabilities.

The practice regularly worked with multi-disciplinary teams in the case management of vulnerable people. The practice had sign-posted vulnerable patients to various support groups and third sector 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 and out of hours.