We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection as part of our inspection programme.

At this inspection we found:

• 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.
• The practice had clear systems, processes and practices in place to protect people from abuse. Staff were aware of how to raise a safeguarding concern and had access to internal leads.
• Clinicians had access to appropriate information to deliver safe care and treatment.
• There was an effective system to manage infection prevention and control.
• 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 treated patients with compassion, kindness, dignity and respect.
• Patients found the appointment system easy to use and reported that they were able to access care when they needed it.
• There was a strong focus on continuous learning and improvement at all levels of the organisation.

The areas where the provider should make improvements are:

• Develop an effective system to record, monitor and track prescription stationery.
• Keep the range and availability of emergency medicines under review to ensure they are appropriate to cover potential emergency situations.
• Continue to review and monitor the effectiveness of actions taken for cervical screening and immunisations.

Professor Steve Field CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP

Chief Inspector of General Practice

Letter from the Chief Inspector of General Practice

We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection at Barn Close on 19 May 2015. Overall the practice is rated as good.

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. The practice recorded information about safety and reviewed, monitored and took any action that was necessary.
• The practice assessed risks to patients and managed these well.
• The GPs and practice nurses assessed patients need and planned and delivered care following best practice guidance.

• Staff received training appropriate to their roles and the practice identified and planned any further training needs.

• Patients said the practice staff were caring, respectful and attentive and involved them in decisions about their care and treatment. Most patients had good experiences of contacting the practice and obtaining appointments.

• The practice provided information about how to complain which was easy to understand and aimed to use information from complaints positively to help them improve.
• The practice was well equipped to treat patients and meet their needs. They recognised the limitations of the current practice building and were actively working to secure new, purpose built premises.
• There was an open and supportive approach to management and staff felt supported by their colleagues and by the partners
• The practice encouraged and valued feedback from patients and had an active patient participation group (PPG).

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

Importantly the provider should :

• Confirm the arrangements for a nurse to be the lead for infection prevention and control (IPC) and ensure IPC audits are completed in line with national guidance.

• Strengthen the clinical leadership arrangements for the practice nursing and healthcare team to support effective management and team work.

• Strengthen the practice’s systems for clinical audit to include repeated audit cycles to monitor the impact of any changes or improvements made.

Professor Steve Field CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP

Chief Inspector of General Practice