Letter from the Chief Inspector of General Practice

We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection at Carlton Surgery on 25 April 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.

Most 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 felt the practice offered an excellent service and staff were friendly, caring, approachable, understanding and treated them with dignity and respect.
• 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 provider was aware of and complied with the requirements of the duty of candour.

The areas where the provider should make improvement are:

• Conduct a formal risk assessment of window blinds installed with free hanging looped cords to ensure compliance with national guidance and safety alerts issued.
• Review blank prescriptions tracking log to include allocated distribution.
• Consider specialist fire and legionella risk review to assure that all potential hazards are identified and managed.
• Maintain a record log of smoke alarm testing and of fire drills performed.
• Review the risk assessment in place for not having an automated external defibrillator (AED) for use in a medical emergency.

• Ensure that all staff attend basic life support training at annual intervals in accordance with national guidance.

• Maintain a record log of when fabric privacy curtains are washed and carpets cleaned.
• Ensure that all staff receive regular appraisals.

• Review systems to identify carers in the practice to ensure they receive appropriate care and support.

Professor Steve Field (CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP) 

Chief Inspector of General Practice