Letter from the Chief Inspector of General Practice

We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection at Cheetham Hill Primary Care Centre on 22 March 2016. Overall the practice is rated as good.

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

• There was a clear leadership structure and staff felt supported by management team. The practice proactively supported staff members to carry out their roles confidently and effectively, whilst developing and progressing staff further with training and development.
• Risks to patients were assessed and well managed. We saw evidence of a robust infection control process in place with a strong lead.
• There was an open and transparent approach to safety and an effective system in place for reporting and recording significant events which were clearly documented in minutes from meetings.
• Staff assessed patients’ needs and delivered care in line with current evidence based guidance. Staff had 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.
• The provider was aware of and complied with the requirements of the Duty of Candour.

We saw a number of examples of outstanding practice:

The practice initiated insulin in the community for patients with diabetes, something which is normally commenced in hospital. The practice had a strong and proactive clinical lead and a team who actively and effectively managed and monitored patients with diabetes. They used clinical audits and analysed outcomes to demonstrate improvement to patients’ quality of life. Staff had undertaken specific qualifications in diabetes to enhance and develop the skills in the team

The practice were proactive and responsive to understanding their multi-cultural and diverse population needs. This resulted in a research study with Lancashire Care NHS Foundation Trust, which explored psychological intervention for postnatal depression in the British mothers of south Asian origin. The practice had set up the BOOST programme which was a successful self-help group that met at the practice and supported new mothers who may be at risk of postnatal depression.

Professor Steve Field (CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP) 

Chief Inspector of General Practice