Longrigg Medical Centre

Updated 9 January 2018

Longrigg Medical Centre is registered with the Care Quality Commission to provide primary care services. The practice provides services to around 10750 patients from the following location: 2 Longrigg, Leam Lane Estate, Felling, Gateshead, NE10 8PH. We visited this address as part of the inspection. The practice website is www.longriggmedicalcentre.nhs.uk. The practice is part of NHS Newcastle and Gateshead Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG).

Deprivation indicators place this practice in an area with a score of four out of ten. A lower number means the area has a higher level of deprivation. People living in more deprived areas tend to have greater need for health services. This practice had higher levels of deprivation when compared to the local CCG and England averages.

The practice occupies a former private dwelling which has been extended and refurbished to meet patients’ needs. There is some limited car parking, and further off street parking. Consulting rooms are on the ground and first floors. Consultation rooms on the ground floor are fully accessible, for patients with mobility needs.

The practice has five GP partners, two salaried GP’s, three practice nurses, two healthcare assistants and a team of administrative and management staff. The practice is a training practice and has three GP registrars. A GP Registrar is a qualified doctor who is training to become a GP through a period of working and training in a practice. They work under supervision of a senior GP or trainer.

The practice reception is open at the following times:

• Monday 8am to 6pm

• Tuesday 7am to 6pm

• Wednesday 8am to 7.30pm

• Thursday 7am to 6pm

• Friday 8am to 6pm

When the practice is closed patients are directed to the NHS 111 service, with out of hours services being provided by Gateshead Doctors on Call (GATDOC). This information is also available on the practices’ website and in the practice leaflet.

Updated 9 January 2018

Letter from the Chief Inspector of General Practice

This practice is rated as Good overall.

We last inspected the service in January 2015, when it was rated as good overall.

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

As part of our inspection process, we also look at the quality of care for specific population groups. The population groups are rated as:

Older People – Good

People with long-term conditions – Good

Families, children and young people – Good

Working age people (including those recently retired and students – Good

People whose circumstances may make them vulnerable – Good

People experiencing poor mental health (including people with dementia) - Good

We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection at Longrigg Medical Centre on 29 November 2017, as part of our inspection programme.

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. Staff described an open and honest ‘no blame’ culture so they felt confident in raising incidents.

• 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, and patient feedback was in the most part positive.

• Patients reported that they were able to access care when they needed it.

• Information about the services provided, as well as how to raise any concerns or complaints, was accessible and easy to understand

• There was a strong focus on continuous learning and improvement at all levels of the organisation. Staff were supported in their professional development.

We saw one area of outstanding practice:

• Taking the lead with other locality practices and a local community charity, the practice had successfully received extra CCG funding and arranged the employment of a Community Link Worker, who was seconded to the practice. Patients could receive help to access services and activities such as counselling, advocacy and debt advice. The practice had made 158 referrals over a 12 month period.

The areas where the provider should make improvements are:

• Make shared policies and procedures, including safeguarding, and disciplinary and grievance procedures, easier for staff to access.

• Carry out yearly fire drills in accordance with the practice risk assessment.

• Carry out a risk assessment to determine the impact of not keeping paediatric defibrillator pads on the premises.

Professor Steve Field (CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP) 

Chief Inspector of General Practice

Updated 23 April 2015

The practice is rated as good for the care of patients with long-term conditions.

Nationally reported data showed the practice had achieved good outcomes in relation to those patients with common long-term conditions. The practice had taken steps to reduce unplanned hospital admissions by improving services for patients with complex healthcare conditions. Patients on the practice’s long-term conditions registers had received healthcare reviews that reflected the severity and complexity of their needs. Person-centred care plans had been completed for each patient. Practice nurses had received the training they needed to provide good outcomes for patients with long-term conditions.

Updated 23 April 2015

The practice is rated as good for the care of families, children and young people.

Nationally reported data showed the practice had achieved good outcomes in relation to child health surveillance, and contraception and maternity services. Systems were in place for identifying and monitoring children who were considered to be at risk of harm or neglect. Appointments were available outside of school hours and the premises were suitable for children and babies.

Updated 23 April 2015

The practice is rated as good for the care of older patients.

Nationally reported data showed the practice had achieved good outcomes in relation to the conditions commonly associated with older people. The practice offered proactive, personalised care to meet the needs of older people. They provided a range of enhanced services including, for example, a named GP who was responsible for overseeing the care and treatment received by the practice’s older patients. Clinical staff had received the training they needed to provide good outcomes for older patients.

Updated 23 April 2015

The practice is rated as good for the population group of working-age patients (including those recently retired and students.)

The needs of this group of patients had been identified and steps taken to provide accessible and flexible care and treatment. The practice was proactive in offering on-line services to patients such as being able to order repeat prescriptions and book appointments on-line. Appointments were available outside normal working hours making it easier for working patients to attend the practice. Health promotion information was available in the waiting area and on the practice web site. The practice had exceeded the national target for offering their patients NHS health checks. The practice provided additional services such as smoking cessation, travel vaccinations and minor surgery.

Updated 23 April 2015

The practice is rated as good for the population group of patients experiencing poor mental health (including people with dementia).

Nationally reported data showed the practice had achieved good outcomes in relation to meeting the needs of patients with mental health needs. The practice kept a register of these patients and used this to ensure they received relevant checks and tests. Where appropriate, care plans had been completed for patients who were on the register. Staff regularly worked with other relevant professionals to help ensure patients’ needs were identified and addressed.

Updated 23 April 2015

The practice is rated as good for the population group of patients whose circumstances may make them vulnerable.

Nationally reported data showed the practice had achieved good outcomes in relation to meeting the needs of patients with learning disabilities. The practice kept a register of these patients and used this information to ensure they received an annual healthcare review and other relevant checks and tests. Staff worked with members of the multi-disciplinary team to help meet the needs of vulnerable patients. The practice sign-posted vulnerable patients to various support groups and other relevant organisations. Staff knew how to recognise signs of abuse in vulnerable adults and children.