HT Practice

Updated 29 April 2022

HT Practice (also known as Highlands surgery) is in Ashton-under-Lyne at:

156 Stockport Road

Ashton-under-Lyne

OL7 0NW

The provider is registered with CQC to deliver the Regulated Activities; diagnostic and screening procedures, maternity and midwifery services and treatment of disease, disorder or injury and surgical procedures.

The practice is situated within the Tameside and Glossop Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) and delivers General Medical Services (GMS) to a patient population of about 8179. This is part of a contract held with NHS England.

The practice is part of a wider group of GP practices called Ashton Primary Care Network (PCN). PCNs work together with community, mental health, social care, pharmacy, hospital and voluntary services in their local area.

Information published by Public Health England shows that deprivation within the practice population group is in the second lowest decile (two of 10). The lower the decile, the more deprived the practice population is relative to others.

According to the latest available data, the ethnic make-up of the practice area is 16% Asian, 80% White, 2% Black, and 2% Mixed

The age distribution of the practice population closely mirrors the local and national averages. There are fewer older patients (15.8%) registered at the practice compared to England average (17.6%).

There is a team of six GPs (two partners and four salaried GPs), three advanced nurse practitioners, two practice nurses and two health care assistants. The clinical team are supported at the practice by the practice manager, and a team of reception/administration staff.

Due to the enhanced infection prevention and control measures put in place since the pandemic and in line with the national guidance, most GP appointments were initially telephone consultations. If the GP needs to see a patient face-to-face then the patient is invited to attend the surgery.

Extended access is provided locally by gtd Healthcare from the neighbourhood hub, where late evening and weekend appointments are available. Out of hours services are also provided by gtd Healthcare.

Updated 29 April 2022

We carried out an announced inspection at HT Practice on 30 March 2022. Overall, the practice is rated as Good.

Set out the ratings for each key question

Safe - Good

Effective - Good

Caring - Good

Responsive - Good

Well-led - Good

Why we carried out this inspection

This inspection was a comprehensive inspection which included a site visit. The inspection was carried out following changes to the practice registration in August 2020, whereby they registered this location as a new location, previously a branch site.

How we carried out the inspection

Throughout the pandemic CQC has continued to regulate and respond to risk. However, taking into account the circumstances arising as a result of the pandemic, and in order to reduce risk, we have conducted our inspections differently.

This inspection was carried out in a way which enabled us to spend a minimum amount of time on site. This was with consent from the provider and in line with all data protection and information governance requirements.

This included:

• Conducting staff interviews using video conferencing
• Using questionnaires sent to staff prior to the on-site visit
• Completing clinical searches on the practice’s patient records system and discussing findings with the provider
• Reviewing patient records to identify issues and clarify actions taken by the provider
• Requesting evidence from the provider
• A shorter site visit

Our findings

We based our judgement of the quality of care at this service on a combination of:

• what we found when we inspected
• information from our ongoing monitoring of data about services and
• information from the provider, patients, the public and other organisations.

We found that:

• The practice provided care in a way that kept patients safe and protected them from avoidable harm.
• Patients received effective care and treatment that met their needs.
• Staff dealt with patients with kindness and respect and involved them in decisions about their care.
• The practice adjusted how it delivered services to meet the needs of patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. Patients could access care and treatment in a timely way.
• The way the practice was led and managed promoted the delivery of high-quality, person-centre care.

Whilst we found no breaches of regulations, the provider should:

• The provider should monitor the changes made to the drug safety alert audit process, making sure these are embedded and maintained.
• The provider should monitor the system implemented in relation to patients with diabetes, making sure these are embedded and maintained.
• Continue to monitor patient feedback.

Details of our findings and the evidence supporting our ratings are set out in the evidence tables.

Dr Rosie Benneyworth BM BS BMedSci MRCGP

Chief Inspector of Primary Medical Services and Integrated Care