Torrington Health Centre

Updated 2 July 2018

Torrington Health Centre run one registered location, which was inspected on 2018. This was a comprehensive inspection.

The practice is located at:

Torrington Health Centre

New RoadTorringtonDevonEX38 8EL

A branch surgery is run in High Bickington five days per week open from 08.30am to 10am.

The practice provides a primary medical service to 5197 patients of a diverse age group. The practice population is in the sixth deprivation decile. In a score of one to ten the lower the decile the more deprived an area is. Particular areas of Torrington and the surrounding villages have much higher levels of deprivation. There is a practice age distribution of male and female patient’s equivalent to national average figures. Average life expectancy for the area is similar to national figures with males living to an average age of 80 years and females to 85 years.

There is a team of five GPs, three partners and two salaried GPS. The gender balance is three males and two female GPs. The team are supported by a practice manager, three practice nurses, and two healthcare assistants and additional administration staff.

Torrington Health Centre is an approved teaching practice providing vocational placements for medical students in years two and three.

The practice is open between 8am and 6pm Monday to Friday, which is a local arrangement in Devon. Appointments are available from 8.30am every morning until 6pm daily. Between 12.15 and 13.15pm the practice is closed for lunch. During this period Castle Gardens Surgery takes calls for the practice which are handed over at the start of the afternoon opening. The branch surgery opening hours are 8.30am until 10am Monday to Friday.

Extended hours opening is currently unavailable but the practice is in negotiation with other practices about sharing this service. The practice offers a range of appointment types including book on the day, telephone consultations and advance appointments. Outside of these times patients are directed to contact Devon Doctors the out of hour's service by using the NHS 111 number.

Updated 2 July 2018

This practice is rated as Good overall. (February 2016 – Good)

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

In 2016, we carried out a focused inspection to review the actions taken by the provider as a result of our issuing one legal requirement at the previous comprehensive inspection. The practice had introduced systems to mitigate risk by improved reporting and investigation of incidents involving medicines.

At this inspection in May 2018, we found:

• The practice had embedded and introduced new 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 an IT system, which searched patient records to prompt audit and target regular reviews of patients to reduce health risks for them.
• Effectiveness and appropriateness of patient care was closely monitored by the strengthened governance arrangements put in place since the last inspection. It ensured that care and treatment was delivered according to evidence-based guidelines.
• Feedback from all 30 patients at the inspection was strongly positive, and verified staff involved treated them with compassion, kindness, dignity and respect.
• Patients found the appointment system easy to use and reported that they were able to access care when they needed it. Patients needing urgent appointments were seen rapidly by the duty GP on the same day. Routine appointments for both GPs and nurses were available within two day.
• There was a strong focus on continuous learning and improvement at all levels of the organisation. The practice had recommenced providing teaching placements for medical students.
• The practice had a strong focus on continuity of care with personal GP lists.

Updated 2 July 2018

Updated 2 July 2018

Updated 2 July 2018

Updated 2 July 2018

Updated 2 July 2018

Updated 2 July 2018