Annual Report

April 2024 – March 2025

Introduction

St Lawrence Surgery is a large GP training practice located in Worthing, West Sussex, on the South Coast of England. Our practice is dedicated to delivering high-quality healthcare services to the local community. In this annual report, we highlight our achievements, services, and ongoing commitment to excellence.

We currently have 16,538 patients registered with us and are open 7:30am to 6:30pm Monday to Friday. We also hold a clinic from 9:00am to 1:00pm on Saturday.

Practice Overview

We are situated in Worthing, a vibrant seaside town with good amenities and excellent transport links. Our practice serves a diverse patient population including a high proportion of elderly patients and patients with long-term and complex conditions. Our team is led by a group of experienced GP Partners and supported by a skilled clinical and administrative team.

We manage patient records securely through EMIS Web, with external communications integrated via Docman. Our continued commitment to providing outstanding care has been recognised by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), which rated us ‘Outstanding’ for the second consecutive time in 2022, placing us among the top 1% of practices in England.

Who We Are

Our Philosophy - Putting patients at the heart of everything we do

The practice is guided by a philosophy of delivering high-quality patient care in a well-organised, efficient, and welcoming setting. We prioritise patient needs, focusing on accessibility and excellence in service. Ongoing training and education are central to our approach, ensuring continuous improvement. Our goal is to offer accessible, reliable healthcare to the local community, foster a supportive workplace where every team member is respected, and stay up to date with developments in the NHS.

At St Lawrence Surgery there is a dedicated and diverse team of professionals committed to delivering the highest standard of patient care.

Our GP Partners are:

• Dr Marian English
• Dr Catherine Joslin
• Dr Purvisha Patel
• Dr David Stokes
• Dr Alison Corney
• Dr Jaspal Mahil

In addition to our GP partners, our clinical team includes:

• Five salaried GPs
• Three Paramedic Practitioners
• Two Advanced Nurse Practitioners
• Three Clinical Pharmacist Prescribers
• A Physician Associate
• Five Practice Nurses (three of whom are Nurse Prescribers)
• Three Registered Nurse Associates
• Two Health Care Assistants
• A Phlebotomist

We also have a dedicated Medicines Management team comprising:

• Three Clinical Pharmacists
• Two Pharmacy Technicians
• Four Medicines Administrators
• A Medicines Manager

Our multidisciplinary team collaborates closely to manage patient care, especially for those with chronic health conditions, frailty, or complex needs.

Strategic leadership and day-to-day operations are overseen by our Practice Business Manager, who is supported by a dedicated management team responsible for administration, medicines, finance, data quality, and patient services.

We hold monthly multidisciplinary meetings focused on frailty and palliative care, where we discuss the needs of elderly patients with complex health issues and those requiring end-of-life care.

We continue to work closely with local schools, colleges, and care homes to provide support for vulnerable individuals in the community. Additionally, we conduct regular child and adult safeguarding meetings and work closely with social services to ensure the best possible support for our patients.

Services

We provide a comprehensive range of appointment options for our patients, including in-person, telephone, and video consultations, as well as Econsults (written online consultations). To help keep our patients informed, we offer a text messaging service that sends appointment reminders and relevant information or advice.

Our main office is staffed with a clinician alongside the patient services team throughout the day, ensuring patients are directed to the most suitable healthcare professional based on their clinical needs. Our team includes GPs, GP trainees, Paramedic Practitioners, Nurse Practitioners, and a Physician Associate, all ready to offer the most appropriate care for each patient.

We also offer a comprehensive range of additional services to ensure our patients receive the care they need:

• 24 hour Blood Pressure Monitoring
• Childhood Immunisations
• Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease clinics and Spirometry Testing
• Covid vaccination programmes
• Diabetes Management
• Drug Monitoring
• Ear syringing
• Family Planning
• Female Health Care
• Frailty Management
• HPV Vaccine (vaccination against cervical cancer)
• Influenza Immunisations
• IUCD and Implant Fitting
• Leg Ulcer Management
• Medication Reviews
• Mental Health Support
• Microsuction
• Minor Surgery
• NHS Health Checks
• NHS Health Screening
• Nursing Home Care
• Phlebotomy
• Pneumococcal Vaccinations
• Pre-School Boosters
• PSA Monitoring for prostate cancer
• Respiratory Management including asthma and COPD
• RSV Vaccinations
• Shingles Vaccinations
• Smoking Cessation

Achievements and Recognition

Care Quality Commission (CQC) Rating

Our practice received an ‘Outstanding’ rating from the CQC for the second consecutive year, making us one of the few practices in England to achieve this distinction across two back-to-back inspections. This reflects our commitment to delivering exceptional care and maintaining the highest standards of clinical practice and patient satisfaction.

Community Engagement and Initiatives

Patient Participation Group (PPG) Support and Activities

We are grateful for the invaluable support provided by the Friends of St Lawrence Surgery Patient Participation Group (PPG) members, who contribute significantly to enhancing patient care and community engagement. Their involvement encompasses:

• Collaborative Improvement Initiatives: Serving as 'critical friends,' PPG members work alongside practice staff to develop initiatives aimed at improving the patient experience and optimising GP time.
• Patient Communication and Advocacy: Providing a platform to keep patients informed about broader changes within the NHS and social care systems.
• Influence on Local Health Services: Acting as a representative body, the PPG is called upon to influence local health and social care services, ensuring patient perspectives are considered in decision-making processes.
• Fundraising Efforts: Raising funds to help the practice purchase equipment not typically covered by the NHS and to support initiatives that enhance the surgery's work for the benefit of patients.

Well-being Initiatives

Our commitment to fostering community well-being is reflected in the continued success of various patient-led groups and activities:

• St Lawrence Strollers Walking Group: This initiative has grown and expanded, promoting physical activity and social interaction among participants. Collaboration with other local groups continues to enhance its reach and impact.
• Singing Group: Maintaining consistent membership, this group contributes to the overall health and well-being of its members through regular musical sessions.
• Fundraising Activities: The Patient Group has continued its regular fundraising efforts, with additional support from generous donations and legacies, enabling the acquisition of equipment and resources to improve patient care.

Staff Wellbeing Initiatives

• Private Healthcare Funding: Providing access to private healthcare services to support employees' health needs.
• Reflexology Sessions: Offering reflexology treatments to help alleviate stress and promote relaxation.
• Sleep Workshops: Conducting workshops focused on improving sleep quality and addressing sleep-related issues.
• Massage Workshops: Organising workshops that teach techniques to relieve tension and promote physical wellbeing.
• Early Morning Yoga Sessions: Providing yoga sessions to encourage physical activity and mindfulness at the start of the day.

Staff Communication and Collaboration

• Regular Practice and Departmental Meetings: Scheduled sessions where all clinical and non-clinical staff are invited to discuss updates, share insights, and address concerns.
• Protected Morning Coffee Breaks for Clinicians: Dedicated time each morning for clinicians to meet informally, discuss clinical issues, and provide mutual support, fostering a collaborative atmosphere.
• Weekly Staff Updates: Circulation of concise updates to keep staff informed about practice developments, policy changes, and other relevant information.
• Staff Intranet: Utilisation of our internal platform to share resources, documents, and announcements, ensuring easy access to information for all team members.

Training and Development

As a GP training practice, we are proud to train and mentor future doctors and medical professionals. This year, we have hosted six trainees at various stages of their training, from junior doctors to medical students from Brighton and Sussex Medical School. Training future generations of healthcare professionals is fundamental to our philosophy and contributes to a vibrant, forward-thinking practice environment.

We regularly engage in quality improvement initiatives, clinical education sessions, and protected afternoon training to support continuous development.

Facilities and Premises

Located on the southern side of St Lawrence Avenue at the junction with Rectory Road (A2031), the premises are in a pleasant residential area approximately 550 yards north of West Worthing station and just under a mile north west of Worthing town centre. There are no parking restrictions on either road, except at the junction.

• 15 consulting rooms
• Seven treatment/clinic rooms
• Three disabled patient toilets
• A spacious ground-floor education room with a kitchenette, separate entrance, and toilet
• Patient car park
• Staff parking
• Ambulance bay

Dispensary

Tarring community pharmacy opened on the St Lawrence Surgery site in July 2011 and remains an invaluable resource for our patients.

Technology and Innovation

At St Lawrence Surgery, we strive to minimise paper usage and maximise the use of digital solutions to streamline patient care and internal processes. Our EMIS Web clinical system and Docman allow for efficient record-keeping and secure communication both internally and with external organisations.

To ensure consistent and high-quality care we have developed standard operating procedures, protocols, and templates. We also utilise Ardens software and searches.

TeamNet, our internal intranet platform, centralises communication enabling efficient information sharing and collaboration among staff. It supports performance tracking, ensures compliance, and enhances overall operational effectiveness.

Our well-maintained website and active social media pages keep patients informed about the latest services, opening hours, and updates.

• Patient-Only Facebook Group: a private online community exclusively for patients, providing access to practice updates and a platform for feedback and discussion.
• Additional Needs Support Group: a parent-led, open-access group offering support and resources for families with children who have additional needs.
• Patient Participation Fundraising Page: a dedicated platform for fundraising activities, supporting initiatives that enhance patient care and services.

For patient communication we use AccuRx to send text messages and have successfully introduced easy-to-use enquiry forms which can be completed and submitted via the website.

Feedback and Continuous Improvement

We are committed to learning from patient feedback, which helps us improve our services. This year, we received 33 complaints, all of which were discussed in practice meetings to identify opportunities for improvement. Additionally, we received 57 compliments from patients, acknowledging the hard work and dedication of our team.

External Representation, Involvement & Collaborations

Practice Manager (Jo Wadey):

• Chair of West Sussex Practice Managers Association
• Specialist Advisor to the Care Quality Commission, ensuring the Practice continuously meets the requirements of its regulators and strives to maintain the outstanding rating.

GP Partner (Dr David Stokes):

• Chair of Innovations in Primary Care until October 2024.

St Lawrence Surgery are part of the Central Worthing Primary Care Network working closely with Broadwater Surgery and Victoria Road Surgery on Covid vaccination programmes, out of hour appointments and winter pressure clinics.

The Central Worthing Primary Care Network also employs mental health workers for the patients of these three practices.

Conclusion

St Lawrence Surgery continues to provide exceptional care to the Worthing community. Our ‘Outstanding’ CQC rating, commitment to training, and innovative services reflect our ongoing dedication to improving the health and well-being of our patients. Looking ahead, we remain focused on enhancing our patient services, providing a positive and supportive work environment for our staff, and continuing to innovate in the delivery of high-quality healthcare.

We thank our patients, staff, and the wider community for their continued support as we work together to meet the evolving healthcare needs of the community.