Letter from the Chief Inspector of General Practice

We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection of Amherst Medical Practice on 4 March 2015. During the inspection we gathered information from a variety of sources. For example; we spoke with patients, members of the patient participation group (PPG), interviewed staff of all levels and checked the right systems and processes were in place.

Overall the practice is rated as good. This is because we found the practice to be good for providing safe, effective, caring, responsive and well-led services. It was also good for providing services for the patient population groups of; older people, people with long-term conditions, families, children and young people, working age people (including those recently retired and students), people whose circumstances may make them vulnerable and people experiencing poor mental health (including people with dementia).

Our key findings were as follows:

• Staff understood and fulfilled their responsibilities to raise concerns, and to report incidents and near misses. Information about safety was recorded, monitored, appropriately reviewed and addressed. Risks to patients were assessed and well managed.
• Patient’s needs were assessed and care was planned and delivered in line with current legislation. Staff had received training appropriate to their roles and any further training needs had been identified and training planned.
• Patients said they were treated with compassion, dignity and respect and they were involved in decisions about their care and treatment. Information to help patients understand the services available was easy to understand. Staff treated patients with kindness and respect, and maintained confidentiality.
• Patients said they found it easy to make an appointment with a named GP and that there was continuity of care, with urgent appointments available the same day. The practice had good facilities and was well equipped to treat patients and meet their needs. Information about how to complain was available and easy to understand.
• 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 patient participation group (PPG) was active.

However, there were areas of practice where the provider needs to make improvements.

The provider SHOULD;

• Ensure that all policies contain relevant information.
• Ensure maintenance of the vaccines cold chain is adequately monitored and recorded.
• Ensure that all staff training records are kept up to date.

Professor Steve Field (CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP) 

Chief Inspector of General Practice

Overall summary

Amherst Medical Practice is registered with the Care Quality Commission to provide the regulated activities: Diagnostic and screening services; Family Planning; Maternity and Midwifery services; Surgical procedures; Treatment of disease, disorder and injury.

Amherst Medical Practice provides primary care services from its main surgery in Amherst and the branch surgery in Brasted.

During the inspection we spoke with patients, members of the patient participation group and staff.

The practice was well led. There was a clear mission statement which we found was demonstrated by staff in their day to day work. The practice had a system which ensured patients’ views on the service were listened and responded to. The practice met nationally recognised quality standards for improving patient care and maintaining quality. However the practice internal quality processes were not regularly monitored and recorded which would have assisted in the early identification of risks to patients.

Patient feedback suggested they were highly satisfied with the care and treatment they received describing staff as friendly, professional and supportive. The services provided enabled patients to access the care they needed promptly and efficiently.

Care and treatment was delivered in line with best practice. The practice had the appropriate equipment and procedures to manage patient emergencies safely and effectively.

The service was not safe with regards to the storage, checking and dispensing of medicines which put patients at risk.

We reviewed the information available to us about Amherst Medical Practice on 17 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.