Houghton Close Surgery

Updated 22 December 2016

Houghton Close Surgery provides a range of primary medical services from a purpose built premises in a semi-rural location at 1 Houghton Close, Ampthill, Bedfordshire, MK45 2TG. The practice has a dispensary and is a training practice. The practice serves a population of approximately 10,100 and covers the areas of Ampthill, Clophill, Eversholt, Flitton, Flitwick, Greenfield, Haynes West End, Houghton Conquest, Lidlington, Maulden, Millbrook, Pulloxhill, Ridgmont, Silsoe, Stewartby and Westoning.

The area served has a significantly below average deprivation rate compared to England as a whole. The practice population is predominantly white British. The practice serves an above average population between the ages of 40 and 69 and a considerably lower than average population between the ages of 20 and 34.

The full clinical staff team includes three female and two male GP partners, one female salaried GPs, three trainee GPs, a nurse prescriber, three practice nurses, a healthcare assistant and a phlebotomist (a specialised clinical support worker who collect blood from patients for examination). The clinical team is supported by a practice manager, a deputy manager, and number of administration, reception staff. Two managers, two dispensers, three assistants and a delivery worker are employed in the dispensing pharmacy.

Updated 22 December 2016

Letter from the Chief Inspector of General Practice

We previously carried out an announced comprehensive inspection of Houghton Close Surgery on 15 January 2015. A breach of legal requirements was found. After the comprehensive inspection, the practice wrote to us and submitted an action plan outlining the actions they would take to meet legal requirements in relation to;

• Regulation 12 Health & Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014 – safe care and treatment.

From the inspection on 15 January 2015, the practice were told they must:

• Ensure a coordinated approach to medicines management and that a system was in place to record the amount and type of vaccinations kept at the practice.
• Ensure that staff were knowledgeable about the processes used in relation to medicines management and that the procedures they used were reviewed and up-to-date.

We undertook a focused inspection at Houghton Close Surgery on 16 August 2016 to check that they had followed their plan and to confirm that they now met legal standards and requirements. This report only covers our findings in relation to those areas found to be requiring improvement. You can read the report from our last comprehensive inspection, by selecting 'all reports' link for Houghton Close Surgery on our website at www.cqc.org.uk

We found that on the 16 August 2016 the practice now had improved systems in place and we found the following key findings:

• Practice specific protocols and procedures had been developed to ensure the safe management of medicines within the practice and reduced risks to patients. Staff demonstrated these were followed as appropriate.
• Systems to ensure that appropriate stock records of vaccines, emergency medicines and emergency equipment were maintained had been implemented effectively.
• Staff we spoke with were aware of their responsibilities and those of their colleagues in relation to the safe management of medicines within the practice.

Professor Steve Field (CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP) 

Chief Inspector of General Practice

Updated 18 June 2015

The practice is rated as good for the population group of people with long term conditions. The practice provided patients with long term conditions with an annual review to check their health and medication needs were being met. Patients with more than one condition were able to be seen for a review of all their health issues in one extended appointment (a co-morbidity review). They had access to a named GP and targeted immunisations such as the flu vaccine. There were GP and nurse leads for a range of long term conditions such as asthma and diabetes.

Updated 18 June 2015

The practice is rated as good for the population group of families, children and young people. Systems were in place for identifying and protecting patients at risk of abuse. There were six to eight week post natal checks for mothers and their children. Programmes of cervical screening for women over the age of 25 and childhood immunisations were used to respond to the needs of this patient group. Appointments were available outside of school hours including those for young patients with asthma. A full range of contraceptive and sexual health services were available at the practice. The premises was suitable for children and babies.

Updated 18 June 2015

The practice is rated as good for the population group of older people. The practice offered personalised care to meet the needs of older people in its population. Older patients had access to a named GP, a multi-disciplinary team approach to their care and received targeted vaccinations. A range of enhanced services were provided such as those for patients with dementia and end of life care. The practice was responsive to the needs of older people offering home visits including the provision of flu vaccinations.

Updated 18 June 2015

The practice is rated as good for the population group of working age people (including those recently retired and students). The practice offered online services such as appointment booking and repeat prescriptions. There was some additional out of working hours access to meet the needs of working age patients with extended opening hours every Saturday from 8.30am to 11.00am. Routine health checks were also available for patients between 40 and 74 years old.

Updated 18 June 2015

The practice is rated as good for the population group of people experiencing poor mental health (including people with dementia). The practice worked with multi-disciplinary teams in the case management of patients experiencing poor mental health including those with dementia. Patients experiencing dementia also received a specialised care plan and an annual health check. Maximum four weekly prescriptions were available for patients experiencing poor mental health including those with suicidal tendencies. The practice offered an in-house counselling service.

Updated 18 June 2015

The practice is rated as good for the population group of people whose circumstances may make them vulnerable. The practice held a register of some patients living in vulnerable circumstances including those with learning disabilities. Patients experiencing a learning disability received annual health checks. The practice regularly worked with multi-disciplinary teams in the case management of vulnerable people. The practice maintained a register of patients who were identified as carers and additional information was available for those patients. A system of using identifying symbols on the records of patients with complex health needs (yellow card system) was used to prioritise those patients for urgent access to services.