Archived: Dr R J Bulley and Dr K E Blaydes

Updated 23 April 2015

Drs Bulley and Scott (also known as Hamdon Medical Centre) is a GP practice providing primary care services for people in Stoke Sub Hamdon near Yeovil, where we carried out an announced inspection on 18 November 2014.

The practice provides primary medical services to people living in the village of Stoke sub Hamdon and the surrounding areas. At the time of our inspection there were approximately 5200 patients.

The practice comprises of a team of two GP partners, who hold managerial and financial responsibility for running the business. In addition there is one salaried GP, three registered nurses, two health care assistants, a practice manager, and administrative and reception staff.

The practice opening times are 8.30am to 6.30pm Monday to Friday with the exception of Thursday when the practice closes at 5pm. Extended opening hours are provided twice a week. Out of hours services are provided by another organisation.

The practice has an established patient representation group (PRG). This is a group that acts as a voice for patients at the practice.

Patients who use the practice have access to community staff including district nurses, community psychiatric nurses, health visitors, physiotherapists, mental health staff, counsellors, chiropodist and midwives.

Updated 23 April 2015

Letter from the Chief Inspector of General Practice

Drs Bulley and Scott (also known as Hamdon Medical Centre) is a GP practice providing primary care services for people in Stoke Sub Hamdon near Yeovil, where we carried out an announced inspection on 18 November 2014.

The practice provides primary medical services to people living in the village of Stoke sub Hamdon and the surrounding areas. At the time of our inspection there were approximately 5200 patients.

The practice comprises of a team of two GP partners, who hold managerial and financial responsibility for running the business. In addition there is one salaried GP, three registered nurses, two health care assistants, a practice manager, and administrative and reception staff.

When the practice is closed patients are advised to contact the Out of Hours service, which is operated by a different provider.

Patients who use the practice have access to community staff including district nurses, community psychiatric nurses, health visitors, physiotherapists, mental health staff, counsellors, chiropodist and midwives.

Our key findings were as follows:

We rated this practice as good

• There were arrangements in place to respond to the protection of children and vulnerable adults and to respond to any significant events affecting patient’s well-being.

• The practice worked well with other health care service to enable a multi-disciplinary approach in meeting the health care needs of patients receiving a service from the practice.

• Patients told us they were treated with respect and kindness and staff maintained their confidentiality.

• Most patients were able to have an appointment on the same day unless they wished to see a particular GP. Some patients said if they wanted to see a particular GP for continuity of care and treatment they had to wait. The practice took complaints seriously.

• There was a clear management structure with approachable leadership. Staff were supported and had opportunities for developing their skills. The provider responded to feedback from patients.

Professor Steve Field (CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP) 

Chief Inspector of General Practice

Updated 23 April 2015

Hamdon Medical Practice is rated as good for the care of people with long-term conditions. There were emergency processes in place and referrals were made for patients whose health deteriorated suddenly. 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 patients with the most complex needs, the named GP worked with relevant health and care professionals to deliver a multidisciplinary package of care.

Updated 23 April 2015

Hamdon Medical Practice is rated good for families, children and young people. The practice worked with local health visitors to offer a full health surveillance programme for children under the age of five. Checks were also made to help ensure the maximum uptake of childhood immunisations.

Midwives held clinics once a week at the practice. The midwives had access to the practice computer system and could speak with a GP if needed. Health visitors also held baby clinics at the practice and had contact with the school nursing team. Systems were in place to alert health visitors when children had not attended routine appointments and screening.

Appropriate systems were in place to help safeguard children or young people who may be vulnerable or at risk of abuse.

Updated 23 April 2015

Hamdon Medical Practice is rated as outstanding the care of older people. The practice had a high percentage of its patient population in the 65 and over age group. The older people we spoke with were very appreciative of the GPs and nurses. They felt they were treated in a professional and kindly manner. Nursing staff were trained and experienced in providing care and treatment for medical conditions affecting older patients They were able to refer patients to local services such as dementia screening clinics and falls assessment clinics. The practice was responsive to the needs of older people, and offered home visits and rapid access appointments for those patients who needed more prompt attention.

The practice had notable proactive patient centered culture which was particularly apparent for older patients, for example the administration staff identified the elderly frail patients and rang them directly to assist them with the Choose and Book system when a referral for secondary care had been made.

Care was tailored to individual patient needs and circumstances. Patients were reviewed regularly by the GPs and nurses to promote their health and independence and to help avoid the admission to hospital. There were regular patient care reviews involving patients, and their carers where appropriate.

Updated 23 April 2015

Hamdon Medical Practice is rated good for working age people. Patients who were of working age or who had recently retired were pleased with the care and treatment they received.

The practice offered extended opening times two days a week to provide easier access for patients who were at work during the day. They also offered some Saturday morning appointments. Patients were offered a choice when referred to other services.

Updated 23 April 2015

Hamdon Medical Practice was rated good for people experiencing poor mental health. The practice was tailored to patient individual needs and circumstances, including their physical health needs. Annual health checks were offered and carried out for patients with serious mental illnesses.

The practice regularly worked with multi-disciplinary teams in the case management of vulnerable patients. Patients were advised about 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 both in normal working hours and out of hours.

Updated 23 April 2015

Hamdon Medical 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 homeless people, travellers and those with a learning disability. It had carried out annual health checks for people with a learning disability and offered longer appointments for them if required.

Vaccinations were offered when required and managed safely. Appropriate arrangements were in place to facilitate access to care for patients with mobility limitations.

The practice provided carers with health and wellbeing checks, these detailed health checks were followed by a discussion session on a one to one basis with the carer about their needs and what other services may be available to them.