Archived: Exmouth Community Hospital

Updated 7 June 2017

The management of the Minor Injury Unit (MIU) was taken over by the GP partners of the Claremont Medical Practice in November 2016 and provides care to the population of Exmouth and county areas. It is commissioned by the NHS New Devon Commissioning Group (CCG). The MIU was commissioned to provide care to the local population of 36000 patients annually and this number can double in the holiday season (April- Sept) every year.

As a GP Practice Partnership, each Partner is ultimately responsible for the overall running, finance and clinical governance of the Exmouth MIU. The risks and responsibilities involved in providing the service including clinical safety and liability, medicine and stock management, IT system provision and maintenance in addition to the HR issues related to TUPE of the MIU staff are borne equally amongst the Partnership.

The unit itself is nurse led, by staff employed by the Claremont Practice, and provides assessment and treatment for urgent health conditions such as: minor burns and scalds, minor illnesses, eye injuries and skin infections to suspected broken bones, sprains and strains. The unit has x-ray services on site and is staffed primarily by nurse practitioners and health care assistants. Staff can access GP clinical opinion from the Claremont Medical Centre, the provider which is located next door, in the more complex cases. When the Medical Centre is closed the staff gain advice from the GP led out of hours service. The clinical team are supported by a management and administrative team.

There is parking outside the centre including dedicated spaces for people with a disability. All treatment and care is provided on a ground floor of the hospital. The MIU is open between 8am and 10pm 365 days a year and no appointment is required. Outside of these hours patients are directed to the NHS 111 service.

The service operated from

Exmouth Hospital,

Claremont Grove,

Exmouth

EX8 2JN

Updated 7 June 2017

Letter from the Chief Inspector of General Practice

We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection at the Exmouth Minor Injury Unit (MIU), located within Exmouth Community Hospital on 20 March 2017. Overall the service is rated as good.

Our key findings across all the areas we inspected were as follows:

• During 2016 the local health economy was under immense pressure. Demand at local Accident and Emergency services in the region was high. However, the Exmouth Community Minor Injuries Unit (MIU) was at risk of closure due to budgetary cuts and reorganisation in the region.Claremont Medical practice engaged with the local Clinical Commissioning Group to takeover the MIU with the aim of driving further improvements for the community of Exmouth addressing the additional demands on local services.

• There was an open and transparent approach to safety and a system in place for reporting and recording significant events.
• The MIU had clearly defined and embedded systems to minimise risks to patient safety.
• Patients are protected by a strong comprehensive safety system, and a focus on

openness, transparency and learning when things go wrong. Staff routinely carried out extensive follow up of any safeguarding referrals made, safeguarding the individual and negating any potential risk of information not being shared appropriately across all agencies involved.

• Staff were aware of current evidence based guidance. Staff had been trained to provide them with the skills and knowledge to deliver effective care and treatment.
• Feedback we received from patients showed that they were treated with compassion, dignity and respect and were involved in their care and decisions about their treatment.
• Patients individual needs were central to the planning and delivery of tailored services. We saw examples of this. For example, staff were receiving additional training to provide an advanced level care for patients with bone fractures to be treated at the MIU.
• The centre had good facilities and was well equipped to treat patients and meet their needs.
• There was a clear leadership structure and staff felt supported by management. The unit proactively sought feedback from staff and patients, which it acted on.
• The provider was aware of the requirements of the duty of candour. Examples we reviewed showed the MIU complied with these requirements.

There was one area where the provider should

Display notices in the waiting room that advised patients that chaperones were available if required.

Professor Steve Field (CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP) 

Chief Inspector of General Practice