Letter from the Chief Inspector of General Practice

We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection at Bentham Road Health Centre on 13 October 2016. The overall rating for the practice was good, although the practice was rated as requires improvement for safety.

The full comprehensive report on the October 2016 inspection can be found by selecting the ‘all reports’ link for Bentham Road Health Centre on our website at www.cqc.org.uk.

This inspection was an announced desk based inspection carried out on 31 May 2017 to confirm that the practice had carried out their plan to meet the legal requirements in relation to the breach in regulation that we identified in our previous inspection on 13 October 2016. This report covers our findings in relation to those requirements and also additional improvements made since our last inspection.

The practice is now rated as good for safe services, and overall the practice is rated as good.

Our key findings were as follows:

• Portable electrical appliances were tested to ensure they were in good working order and safe to use.

• Infection prevention and control audits were being carried out on a six-monthly basis.

• An assessment of the fixed electrical appliances had been conducted.

• A Legionella risk assessment had been carried out and there was evidence to demonstrate that water outlets were tested on a regular basis.

• Patient specific directions (PSD) for the healthcare assistant to administer vaccinations were signed by the prescriber before the treatment was administered.

• There were systems in place to monitor the stock of single use items to ensure they were within their expiry date and safe for use.

• Systems were in place to disseminate patient safety alerts and manage significant events.

• The practice business continuity plan was shared with staff so that they were aware of individual roles and responsibilities in the event of the plan being implemented.

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 Bentham Road Health Centre on 13 October 2016. The overall rating for the practice was good, although the practice was rated as requires improvement for safety.

The full comprehensive report on the October 2016 inspection can be found by selecting the ‘all reports’ link for Bentham Road Health Centre on our website at www.cqc.org.uk.

This inspection was an announced desk based inspection carried out on 31 May 2017 to confirm that the practice had carried out their plan to meet the legal requirements in relation to the breach in regulation that we identified in our previous inspection on 13 October 2016. This report covers our findings in relation to those requirements and also additional improvements made since our last inspection.

The practice is now rated as good for safe services, and overall the practice is rated as good.

Our key findings were as follows:

• Portable electrical appliances were tested to ensure they were in good working order and safe to use.

• Infection prevention and control audits were being carried out on a six-monthly basis.

• An assessment of the fixed electrical appliances had been conducted.

• A Legionella risk assessment had been carried out and there was evidence to demonstrate that water outlets were tested on a regular basis.

• Patient specific directions (PSD) for the healthcare assistant to administer vaccinations were signed by the prescriber before the treatment was administered.

• There were systems in place to monitor the stock of single use items to ensure they were within their expiry date and safe for use.

• Systems were in place to disseminate patient safety alerts and manage significant events.

• The practice business continuity plan was shared with staff so that they were aware of individual roles and responsibilities in the event of the plan being implemented.

Professor Steve Field (CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP) 

Chief Inspector of General Practice

During our inspection we spoke with two people who had attended for appointments, four members of the Patient Participation Group (PPG), one GP, the practice manager, a practice nurse, a health care assistant, the site manager, the chaplain employed to work in the practice and two members of reception staff.

People told us they were fully involved in discussions and decisions about their treatment and said they were listened to by the doctors and nurses in the practice. Comments included, “The choices I had for my treatment were all discussed” and “Staff are nice; they listen to you”.

People were very satisfied with the way they were treated by staff. The comments they made to us included, “Staff are all totally caring and professional” and “Staff don’t look at you funny because of your age; they just look at what you are here for”.

The practice had policies in place in relation to safeguarding children and adults. Staff had undertaken appropriate training and were aware of the action to take should they have any concerns about people who attended the practice.

Staff told us they enjoyed working at the practice and felt supported by other members of the team. Comments included, “It’s wonderful to work here” and “We all care for each other and work well as a staff team”.

The provider had appropriate systems in place to monitor the quality of service provision. We found people's views had been taken into account in the way the service was provided.