Archived: Merton Lodge Surgery Also known as Alford Group of Doctors

Updated 22 May 2018

Merton Lodge Surgery provides primary medical care for approximately 7,860 patients living in the small market town of Alford and surrounding area. It is located some 36 miles from the City of Lincoln and seven miles from Mablethorpe.

The service is provided under a General Medical Services contract with NHS Lincolnshire East Clinical Commissioning Group. The practice has a higher than average distribution of patients aged between 50 and 79 years of age with an even distribution of male/female patients. It has a lower than average number of younger people on the patient list.

It is a dispensing practice, and dispenses to 40% of its patients.

The practice has two partners and one salaried GP. The practice employs team of nurse practitioners, practice nurses, and healthcare assistants. They are supported by dispensers, receptionists, administration staff and a practice manager.

The practice is registered with the Care Quality Commission to provide the regulated activities of; the treatment of disease, disorder and injury; diagnostic and screening procedures; family planning, maternity and midwifery services and surgical procedures from a single location at 33 West Street, Alford, LN13 9HT.

When the surgery is closed GP out-of- hours services are provided by Lincolnshire Community Health Services NHS Trust.

Updated 22 May 2018

We carried out an announced focused inspection on 4 May 2018 to follow up concerns we found at an inspection we carried out at Merton Lodge Surgery on 14 June 2017. Overall the practice is rated as good.

At our previous inspection on 14 June 2017 we found that risks to patients were not always assessed and well managed. Where risks had been identified following a fire risk assessment and action was required, no remedial action had been taken. We issued the provider with a requirement notice.

At our inspection on 4 May 2018 we found that the provider had taken the appropriate action and that all the areas identified for improvement in the fire risk assessment had been completed.

Professor Steve Field CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP
Chief Inspector of General Practice

Updated 19 April 2016

The practice is rated as good for the care of people with long-term conditions. GPs had lead roles in chronic disease management and patients at risk of hospital admission were identified as a priority. Longer appointments and home visits were available when needed. All these patients had a named GP and a structured annual review to check that their health and medication needs were being met. For those people with the most complex needs, the named GP worked with relevant health and care professionals to deliver a multidisciplinary package of care.

Updated 19 April 2016

The practice is rated as good for the care of families, children and young people. Immunisation rates were relatively high for all standard childhood immunisations. Patients told us that children and young people were treated in an age-appropriate way and were recognised as individuals, and we saw evidence to confirm this. Sexual health and contraceptive advice was available. Appointments were available outside of school hours and the premises were suitable for children and babies.

Updated 19 April 2016

The practice is rated as good for the care of older people. Nationally reported data showed that outcomes for patients were good for conditions commonly found in older people. The practice offered proactive, personalised care to meet the needs of the older people in its population and had a range of enhanced services, for example, in dementia and end of life care. It was responsive to the needs of older people, and offered home visits and rapid access appointments for those with enhanced needs. It employed two health support workers to manage the needs of this group of patients with special emphasis on avoiding unplanned and avoidable admissions

Updated 19 April 2016

The practice is rated as good for the care of working-age people (including those recently retired and students). The needs of the working age population, those recently retired and students had been identified and the practice had adjusted the services it offered, include on-line booking of appointments and repeat prescriptions to ensure these were accessible, flexible and offered continuity of care. The practice was proactive in offering online services as well as a full range of health promotion and screening that reflected the needs for this age group. Appointments for working patients were provided at a time that made it possible for them to attend.

Updated 19 April 2016

The practice is rated as good for the care of people experiencing poor mental health. The practice regularly worked with multi-disciplinary teams in the case management of people experiencing poor mental health, including those with dementia. It carried out advance care planning for patients with dementia.

The practice had told patients experiencing poor mental health about how to access various support groups and voluntary organisations.

The practice, in conjunction with the Alzheimer’s Society had set up  a Dementia Support Group to support dementia suffers and carers. All staff had taken part in the dementia friends program.

Updated 19 April 2016

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

The practice regularly worked with multi-disciplinary teams in the case management of vulnerable people. It had told vulnerable patients about how to access various support groups and voluntary organisations. Staff knew how to recognise signs of abuse in vulnerable adults and children. Staff 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.  It had carried out annual health checks for people with a learning disability.