Letter from the Chief Inspector of General Practice

We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection of Aitune Medical Practice on 12 January 2016. A breach of legal requirements was found in that robust systems were not in place, 

to assess and control all risks relating to infection control and the premises. Also,

learning from significant events was not always shared promptly with all relevant staff to improve patient safety. Overall the practice was rated as good; in view of the above the practice was rated as requires improvement for providing safe services.

After the comprehensive inspection, the practice wrote to us to say what action they had, and were taking to meet the legal requirement in relation to the breach.

We undertook a desk based review on 17 August 2016 to check that the provider had completed the required actions, and now met the legal requirements. This report covers our findings in relation to the requirements. We did not visit the practice as part of this review. 

You can read the report from our last comprehensive inspection, by selecting the 'all reports' link for Aitune Medical Practice on our website at www.cqc.org.uk.

This review found that the provider had taken appropriate action to meet the legal requirements.

• The practice was rated as good for providing safe services.

• Learning from significant events was 

  shared in a timely way to improve patient safety.

• An infection control audit was completed on 9 March 2016, which mostly assessed the practice as compliant. Plans were in place to appoint a new 

  lead nurse for infection control, with a view to

  completing a new audit and action plan by mid November 2016.

• The health & safety policy and general risk assessments had been reviewed and updated, to ensure all risks to staff and patients had been assessed, and control measures were in place to keep people safe.

Professor Steve Field (CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP) 

Chief Inspector of General Practice

Letter from the Chief Inspector of General Practice

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

• Staff understood and fulfilled their responsibilities to raise concerns, and to report incidents and near misses. However, the systems in place did not ensure learning from significant events was shared widely in a timely manner.
• Some risks to patients and staff were assessed and well managed; however, the systems in place did not take into account all risks. For example, there had been no recent audit of infection control within the practice.
• Staff assessed patients’ needs and delivered care in line with current evidence based guidance. Staff had the skills, knowledge and experience to deliver effective care and treatment.
• Patients told us they were treated with compassion, dignity and respect and they were involved in their care and decisions about their treatment. However, there was some negative feedback from comment cards regarding the attitude of reception staff.
• Information about services and how to complain was available and easy to understand.
• Patients said they found it easy to make an appointment, with urgent appointments available the same day.
• The practice 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 practice proactively sought feedback from staff and patients, which it acted on.
• The provider was aware of and complied with the requirements of the Duty of Candour.

The areas where the provider must make improvement are:

• Ensure systems are in place to share learning from significant events widely and in a timely manner to prevent recurrence.

• Undertake regular audits in line with the practice’s infection control policy to ensure the control of infection.

• Ensure all risks to patients and staff are considered and control measures implemented to mitigate against risks.

The areas where the provider should make improvements are:

• Ensure all staff have regular appraisals and development plans are in place.

• Ensure the practice documents informed consent in patient records in line with practice policy.

Professor Steve Field (CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP) 

Chief Inspector of General Practice

We reviewed the information available to us about Aitune Medical Practice on 16 May 2019. We did not find evidence of significant changes to the quality of service being provided since the last inspection. As a result, we decided not to inspect the surgery at this time. We will continue to monitor this information about this service throughout the year and may inspect the surgery when we see evidence of potential changes.