Palace Road Surgery

Updated 5 November 2018

The Palace Road Surgery provides primary medical services in the London Borough of Lambeth to approximately 7,500 patients. The practice operates at 1 Palace Road, Streatham Hill, London, SW2 3DY. The practice is based in a new purpose built building. The practice moved to the new premises having been based in an older building until January 2018.

The practice population is in the third most deprived decile in England. The practice population’s age demographic is broadly in line with the national average.

The practice is managed by three partners. The GP team at the surgery is made up of four GPs (including the partners) Equivalent to 3.3 whole time equivalent. There are also two practice nurses, a healthcare assistant and a pharmacist at the practice. There is a practice manager and a deputy practice manager who are both part time. The team is supported by seven other administrative and reception staff. The practice operates under a Personal Medical Services (APMS) contract.

The practice reception is open between 8:30am and 6:30pm Monday to Friday. There are extended hours on Wednesday evening from 6:30 to 7:30pm and on Saturday mornings from 9:00am to 12:30pm. When the practice is closed patients are directed to contact the local out of hours service.

The practice is registered with the Care Quality Commission to provide the regulated activities of family planning; treatment of disease, disorder or injury; diagnostic and screening services.

Updated 5 November 2018

This practice is rated as Good overall.

The key questions at this inspection 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 Palace Road Surgery on 11 September 2018. The practice, which was run by the same provider, was previously based at an older building, from which the practice moved in January 2018. This was the first CQC inspection at the new site.

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 had implemented defined and embedded systems to minimise risks to patient safety.
• 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.
• 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.
• Staff involved and treated patients with compassion, kindness, dignity and respect.
• Information about services and how to complain was available.
• 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 areas where the provider should make improvements are:

• The practice should review the time period at which Disclosure and Barring Service checks are repeated.
• The practice should review where International Normalised Ratio (INR) results are stores in the patient record.

Professor Steve Field CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP

Chief Inspector of General Practice

Please refer to the detailed report and the evidence tables for further information.

Updated 5 November 2018

Updated 5 November 2018

Updated 5 November 2018

Updated 5 November 2018

Updated 5 November 2018

Updated 5 November 2018