The South Lawn Medical Practice

Updated 9 July 2018

The South Lawn Medical Practice is situated in the city of Exeter. The practice is comprised of two sites; Heavitree Health Centre and Millbrook Village site.

The deprivation decile rating for this area is six (with one being the most deprived and 10 being the least deprived). The practice provides a primary medical service to approximately 7,550 patients of a diverse age group. The 2011 census data showed the majority of the local population identified themselves as being White British.

There is a team of five GP partners, two female and three male; the partners are supported by one female salaried GP and two female GP registrars. The whole time equivalent is six. The GP team were supported by a practice manager, one deputy practice manager, four practice nurses, two health care assistants, and additional administration staff.

Patients using the practice also have access to community nurses, midwives, physiotherapists, counsellors, friends of the practice co-ordinator who are all co-located on the same site as the practice. Other health care professionals visited the practice on a regular basis.

The practice is open from 8.30am to 6pm Monday to Thursday. On a Friday the practice is open from 8.30am to 12.30pm and 1.45pm until 6pm. Appointments are offered between those times.

Extended hours appointments are available to practice patients via Exeter Primary Care federation, of which the practice is a member. These extended hours include; Saturday 9am to 5pm, Sunday 9am to 4pm, Monday to Thursday 6.30pm to 8pm and Friday 7am to 8am.

Outside of these times patients are directed to contact the out of hour’s service and the NHS 111 number. This is in line with local contract arrangements.

The practice offers a range of appointment types including face to face same day appointments, telephone consultations and advance appointments (twelve weeks in advance) as well as online services such as repeat prescriptions.

This report relates to the regulatory activities being carried out at the following two sites.

The South Lawn Medical Practice

Heavitree Health Centre

Exeter

EX1 2RX

Millbrook Village site

Topsham Road

Exeter

EX2 6EP

We visited both during our inspection.

Updated 9 July 2018

This practice is rated as Good overall. (Previous inspection July 2015 – Good)

The key questions 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 South Lawn Medical Practice on Tuesday 15 May 2018 as part of our planned 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 they provided. They 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 had made improvements and acted upon feedback since our previous inspection. For example, the practice had put in place regular audits of infection prevention control which included the laundering of fabric curtains in consultation rooms.

We saw areas of outstanding practice:

The practice had an innovative approach to support people whose circumstances may make them vulnerable. The practice included a representative from the Friends of Heavitree Health Centre charity in unplanned admission meetings to offer social support, transport services and befriend housebound and isolated patients. The practice had introduced many ‘easy read’ guides on subjects including contraception, cervical screening, healthy lifestyle and smoking cessation. A GP had also introduced a film which they displayed on social media of ‘what to expect when you visit’ to help anxious patients prepare for a visit to the practice.

Professor Steve Field CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGPChief Inspector of General Practice

Updated 9 July 2018

Updated 9 July 2018

Updated 9 July 2018

Updated 9 July 2018

Updated 9 July 2018

Updated 9 July 2018