Letter from the Chief Inspector of General Practice

We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection at Church Street Surgery over two days on 21 April 2016 and 9 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 felt the practice offered a good service and staff were supportive and helpful. They commented that they were treated with dignity and respect and staff were caring.
• 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.
• The practice sought the views of the patient participation group (PPG) to help them with the management of complaints.
• 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 was pro-active in identifying carers and had a carers lead.
• They were working towards accreditation as a Purple Star practice. Purple Star was a local initiative hosted by Hertfordshire county council that promoted health equality for people with learning disabilities.

Professor Steve Field (CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP) 

Chief Inspector of General Practice