Background to this inspection
Updated
21 June 2018
The registered provider of The Smethwick Medical Centre is Modality Partnership, an organisation operating across 36 different locations, providing NHS services to more than 320,000 patients.
The practice address is Regent Street, Birmingham B66 3BQ. The practice also has a branch surgery, Hollybush Medical Centre, 435 Hagley Rd West, Quinton, West Midlands B32 2AD. We did not inspect the branch site as part of this inspection.
More information about the practice can be found on its website https://modalitypartnership.nhs.uk/your-gp-practice/west-midlands/gp/smethwick-medical-centre
The practice is registered with CQC to provide the following regulated activities:
- Diagnostic and screening procedures
- Maternity and midwifery services
- Surgical procedures
- Treatment of disease, disorder or injury
Based on 2015 data available from Public Health England, the levels of deprivation in the area served by The Smethwick Medical Centre shows the practice is located in a more deprived area than national averages, ranked at two out of 10, with one being the most deprived and 10 being the least deprived. (Deprivation covers a broad range of issues and refers to unmet needs caused by a lack of resources of all kinds, not just financial).
Based on data from Public Health England, 49% of people in the practice area are from black and minority ethnic groups.
The Smethwick Medical Centre and its branch surgery has a combined patient list size of 9000 patients. Patients can access either site. All clinicians and most non-clinical staff work at both sites.
The practice employs seven GPs, one physician’s associate, two practice nurses, one advanced nurse practitioner, an elderly care nurse, two healthcare assistants and a Diabetes specialist nurse who also works at other practices within the wider organisation and one full time pharmacist. The practice is supported by one full time practice manager and reception and administration staff.
The practice is open between 08.00 and 20.00 on Monday and Friday and between 08.00 and 18.30 on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. On Saturday, the practice is open between 09.00 and 13.00.
Appointments are from 08.30 to 11.30 each weekday morning and 14.00 to 19.30 on Monday and Friday, and 14.00 to 18.00 on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. On a Saturday, appointments are available between 09.00 and 12.30.
Whenever the practice is closed, out of hours cover is provided by Primecare.
Updated
21 June 2018
This practice was previously inspected in August 2017 and rated as Requires improvement overall.
This practice is now rated as Good overall.
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 Smethwick Medical Centre on 2 May 2018 to follow up on breaches of regulations that were identified in the August 2017 inspection.
At this inspection we found:
- The practice had taken appropriate action following our previous inspection in August 2017 to ensure they were acting on patient feedback to improve patient experience. They had employed additional clinical staff, increased the number of face to face appointments and provided appropriate training for staff to improve communication skills.
- Patients we spoke with and comments cards we received showed there had been an improvement in staff communication, leading to improved patient satisfaction.
- Patient feedback relating to the appointment system and telephone access remained mixed, however, we saw the practice had taken action since our last inspection to try and improve patient experience and they were monitoring patient feedback.
- The practice had clear systems to manage risk so that safety incidents were less likely to happen. However, we saw not all records were completed in line with the provider’s policies.
- When incidents did happen, the practice learned from them and improved their processes.
- The practice routinely reviewed the effectiveness and appropriateness of the care it provided. It ensured that care and treatment was delivered according to evidence- based guidelines.
- The practice employed an elderly care nurse who was able to provide holistic support to patients and their carers.
- The practice was actively involved in research. The practice gave us examples of how this research benefited their patients including diagnosis of medical conditions previously undiagnosed.
The areas where the provider should make improvements are:
- The provider should continue to ensure patient feedback is monitored and demonstrate they are responding appropriately.
- The provider should ensure all safety records are completed in line with their own policies.
- The provider should consider monitoring patients referred to social prescribing schemes in order to evaluate effectiveness.
- The provider should continue to monitor and take appropriate action to improve uptake for cervical screening.
Professor Steve Field CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGPChief Inspector of General Practice