Core Care Family Practice Grimsby

Updated 29 June 2017

Core Care Family Practice Grimsby, Cromwell Primary Care Centre, Cromwell Road, Grimsby, East Lincolnshire, DN31 2BH.

The practice is situated within a purpose built Primary Care Centre where there are a further two GP branch practices, NHS services such an ophthalmology and dermatology. The practice has a lease in place with a private landlord. There is ample free parking available.

The practice provides services under a General Medical Services (GMS) contract providing service to the practice population of 2,490 patients, covering patients of all ages.

The practice scored three on the deprivation measurement scale, the deprivation scale goes from one to ten, with one being the most deprived. People living in more deprived areas tend to have a greater need for health services.

Core Care Family Practice was registered with CQC by CCL-Solutions Limited on the 25 November 2016. It was an existing practice which CCL-Solutions Limited took over in 2016.

Core Care Family practice is a sister company to Core Care Limited (a not for profit organisation). They are five GP’s who are directors of the organisation and one salaried GP. They operate and manage other services, including out of hours service. All of the six GP’s work at Core Care Family Practice on a part time basis. In addition, there is one advance nurse practitioner, one practice nurses and a health care assistant who works one morning per week. There is a practice manager and a small team administration and reception staff. The practice is supported by the larger organisation of, who provide them with much of their back room functions, such as human resources etc.

Core Care Family Practice – Grimsby is open 8 am till 6.30pm Monday to Friday. There are also telephone triage slots available both morning and afternoon.

Out of hours cover is provided through the local out of hour’s service (Monday – Thursday from 6.30pm to 8am and 6.30pm Friday to 8am Monday).

Updated 29 June 2017

Letter from the Chief Inspector of General Practice

We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection at Core Care Family Practice Grimsby on 25 May 2017. Overall the practice is rated as good.

Our key findings across all the areas we inspected were as follows:

• The practice reported, recorded and reviewed significant events. However the practice did not always follow a formal system for this which resulted in an inconsistent approach to recording.
• The practice had systems to minimise risks to patient safety, however further action was needed in regard to safety within the building.
• 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.
• Results from the patient’s questionnaires completed during the inspection showed patients were treated with compassion, dignity and respect and were involved in their care and decisions about their treatment.
• Information about services and how to complain was available. Improvements were made to the quality of care as a result of complaints and concerns.
• Patients whose comments we received in the main were satisfied with the appointment systems, and urgent appointments were available the same day.
• The practice had adequate facilities and was well equipped to treat patients and meet their needs.
• There was a clear leadership structure and staff felt supported by management.
• The provider was aware of the requirements of the duty of candour. Examples we reviewed showed the practice complied with these requirements.

The areas where the provider should make improvement are:

• Look at a more consistant approach to the recording of significant events.

• Consider carrying out more clinical audits to ensure quality improvements.

• Have more detailed recruitment information available within the practice.

Have a system in place that detailed the required health and safety checks, maintenance and servicing was being carried out as required. 

Professor Steve Field (CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP) 

Chief Inspector of General Practice

Updated 29 June 2017

The practice is rated as good for the care of people with long-term conditions.

• Nursing staff had lead roles in long-term disease management and patients at risk of hospital admission were identified as a priority.

• 73% of patients on the diabetes register had a record of a foot examination and risk classification within the preceding 12 months (Data from the practice). This was below the CCG average of 88% and the national average of 90% (01/04/2015 to 31/03/2016).

• The practice followed up on patients with long-term conditions discharged from hospital and ensured that their care plans were updated to reflect any additional needs.

• There were emergency processes for patients with long-term conditions who experienced a sudden deterioration in health.

• All these patients had a named GP and there was a system to recall patients for a structured annual review to check their health and medicines needs were being met. For those patients with the most complex needs, the named GP worked with relevant health and care professionals to deliver a multidisciplinary package of care.

Updated 29 June 2017

he practice is rated as good for the care of families, children and young people.

• From the sample of documented examples we reviewed we found there were systems to identify and follow up children living in disadvantaged circumstances and who were at risk, for example, children and young people who had a high number of accident and emergency (A&E) attendances.

• Immunisation rates were relatively high for all standard childhood immunisations.

• Patients told us, on the day of inspection, that children and young people were treated in an age-appropriate way and were recognised as individuals.

• Appointments were available outside of school hours and the premises were suitable for children and babies.

• The practice worked with midwives, health visitors and school nurses to support this population group.

• The practice nurse took the lead for baby checks. They carried out home visits when required to ensure wherever possible so no child went without immunisation.

Updated 29 June 2017

The practice is rated as good for the care of older people.

• Staff were able to recognise the signs of abuse in older patients and knew how to escalate any concerns.

• The practice offered proactive, personalised care to meet the needs of the older patients in its population.

• The practice was responsive to the needs of older patients, and offered home visits and urgent appointments for those with enhanced needs.

• The practice identified at an early stage older patients who may need palliative care as they were approaching the end of life. It involved older patients in planning and making decisions about their care, including their end of life care.

• The practice followed up on older patients discharged from hospital and ensured that their care plans were updated to reflect any extra needs.

• Older patients were provided with health promotional advice and support to help them to maintain their health and independence for as long as possible.

Updated 29 June 2017

The practice is rated as good for the care of working age people (including those recently retired and students).

• The needs of these populations had been identified and the practice had adjusted the services it offered to ensure these were accessible, flexible and offered continuity of care.

• Telephone appointments and telephone triage was available.

• The practice was proactive in offering online services as well as a full range of health promotion and screening that reflects the needs for this age group.

Updated 29 June 2017

The practice is rated as good for the care of people experiencing poor mental health (including people with dementia).

• The practice carried out advance care planning for patients living with dementia.

• 73% of patients diagnosed with dementia who had their care reviewed in a face to face meeting in the last 12 months (data provided by the practice). This was below the CCG average of 90% and below the national average of 84% (2015 – 2016).

• The practice had a system for monitoring repeat prescribing for patients receiving medicines for mental health needs.

• 100% of patients who were having lithium therapy (medication for depression) had their blood monitored (data provided by the practice)

• The practice regularly worked with multi-disciplinary teams in the case management of patients experiencing poor mental health, including those living with dementia.

• Patients at risk of dementia were identified and offered an assessment.

• The practice had information available for patients experiencing poor mental health about how they could access various support groups and voluntary organisations.

• The practice had a system to follow up patients who had attended accident and emergency where they may have been experiencing poor mental health.

• Staff interviewed had a good understanding of how to support patients with mental health needs and dementia.

Updated 29 June 2017

The practice is rated as good for the care of people whose circumstances may make them vulnerable.

• The practice held a register of patients living in vulnerable circumstances including with dementia or those with a learning disability.

• End of life care was delivered in a coordinated way which took into account the needs of those whose circumstances may make them vulnerable.

• The practice offered longer appointments for patients with a learning disability.

• The practice regularly worked with other health care professionals in the case management of vulnerable patients.

• The practice had information available for vulnerable patients about how to access various support groups and voluntary organisations.

• Staff interviewed knew how to recognise signs of abuse in children, young people and adults whose circumstances may make them vulnerable. They were aware of their responsibilities regarding information sharing, documentation of safeguarding concerns and how to contact relevant agencies in normal working hours and out of hours.