Letter from the Chief Inspector of General Practice

We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection at Brayford Medical Practice on 26 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, incidents and near misses.
• Risks to patients were assessed and well managed.
• Procedures were in place for monitoring and managing risks to patient and staff safety.
• 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 feedback.

• Patients said they found it easy to make an appointment however there were comments that at times it was difficult to get through on the telephone.

• 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 provider was aware of and complied with the requirements of the duty of candour.
• The practice understood the needs of the local population and planned services to meet those needs.
• The practice scored higher than CCG and national averages in all aspects of care according to the GP patient survey.
• Historically outcomes for patients who use services were consistently good. Nationally reported Quality and Outcomes Framework (QOF) data, for 2012/13 and 2013/14, showed the practice had performed well in obtaining almost all of the total points available to them for providing recommended care and treatment to patients. We saw evidence of data irregularities for the 2014/15 period and saw the practice was seeking a resolution to these irregularities.
• The PPG were not active.

The areas where the provider should make improvement are:

• Complete appraisals annually with all staff to provide support and identify training requirements.
• Ensure that the patient participation is active and in place

Professor Steve Field (CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP) 

Chief Inspector of General Practice