Letter from the Chief Inspector of General Practice

We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection at BL Medical Practice on 4 April 2017. Overall the practice is rated as good.

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

• There was an open and transparent approach to safety and a system in place for reporting and recording significant events.
• The practice had clearly defined and embedded systems to minimise risks to patient safety. Areas for review included developing an incident protocol and reviewing arrangements around monitoring uncollected prescriptions and monitoring of prescription paper.
• Staff were aware of current evidence based guidance. Staff had been trained to provide them with the skills and knowledge to deliver effective care and treatment.
• Results from the national GP patient survey showed patients were treated with compassion, dignity and respect and were involved in their care and decisions about their treatment. One patient had participated in the interview process when the practice was recruiting a GP partner.
• Information about services and how to complain was available. Improvements were made to the quality of care as a result of complaints and concerns.
• Patients we spoke with said they found it easy to make an appointment with a named GP and 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.
• 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 practice had a patient reference group (PRG). Feedback from members of the PRG indicated that communication between the practice and the group was infrequent.
• The provider was aware of the requirements of the duty of candour. Examples we reviewed showed the practice complied with these requirements.

We saw one area of outstanding practice:

• The GP partners were described as going the extra mile and patients with serious health issues provided examples of where a GP contacted them every week to review their health and wellbeing.

The areas where the provider should make improvement are:

• Develop practice incident recording procedures to include non significant events.
• Further develop the records to monitor the use of prescription paper in line with the NHS Security of prescription forms guidance.
• Provide opportunities for members of the patient reference group to become more actively involved in the development of the practice by improving communication and explore opportunities for patients to contribute who do not have access to IT.

Professor Steve Field (CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP) 

Chief Inspector of General Practice