Letter from the Chief Inspector of General Practice

We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection at Boultham Park Medical Practice on 25 May 2016. 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 an effective system in place for reporting and recording significant events.
• Risks to patients were assessed and well managed.
• Staff assessed patients’ needs and delivered care in line with current evidence based guidance. Staff had been trained to provide them with the skills, knowledge and experience to deliver effective care and treatment.
• Patients said they were treated with compassion, dignity and respect and they were involved in their care and decisions about their treatment.
• Information about services and how to complain was available and easy to understand. Improvements were made to the quality of care as a result of complaints and concerns.
• Patients 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 areas where the provider should make improvement are:

To ensure secondary thermometers are used with the vaccine refrigerators in line with national guidance.

Professor Steve Field (CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP) 

Chief Inspector of General Practice

The practice was providing safe care. The practice learned from incidents, complaints and patient feedback and took action to improve to ensure safe patient care.

The care and treatment provided to patients was effective. There was evidence of robust clinical audits taking place to ensure positive clinical outcomes for patients.

The service was caring with all staff displaying an exemplary attitude towards patients and their care and treatment.

The service was responsive to patients’ needs. Complaints were investigated and responded to and lessons were learned to improve practice.

The service was well-led in most respects. There were visible and responsive leaders and a culture of openness where all staff felt valued, respected, able to express their views and be heard. All practice staff had shared vision and values and there was an expectation of high standards of patient care.