This practice is rated as Good overall. (This is the first inspection for this provider).

The key questions at this inspection are rated as:

Are services safe? – Good

Are services effective? – Good

Are services caring? – Good

Are services responsive? – Good

Are services well-led? - Good

We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection at Acorn Medical Practice on 13 June 2018. This inspection was carried out as part of our inspection programme.

At this inspection we found:

• Patients found the appointment system easy to use and reported that they were able to access care when they needed it. Patients we spoke with told us staff were caring and considerate and they were happy with the service the practice provided.
• Practice leaders worked hard to make improvements and routinely reviewed the services they were providing. Staff told us they wanted to expand, to make best use of the practice environment and improve patient experience by adding a new clinic room and waiting area.
• 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 although some significant events were not always recognised as such.
• 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. We saw staff interacting with patients in a caring and considerate way.
• There was a strong focus on continuous learning and improvement at all levels of the organisation. The Patient Participation Group (PPG) assisted the practice to carry out a patient survey on 3% of the patient list to make service improvements.

The areas where the provider should make improvements are:

• Further develop the significant event process and reporting so all significant events are reviewed, discussed and learnt from.
• Take action to improve cold chain security by adding a small back up fridge.
• Improve the recording of safeguarding meetings by keeping meeting minutes.
• Take action to improve and maintain prescription security in line with established guidelines.
• Improve clinical and sharps waste security by storing in a locked room.

Professor Steve Field CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP
Chief Inspector of General Practice

Please refer to the detailed report and the evidence tables for further information.