Letter from the Chief Inspector of General Practice

We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection at Crown Street Surgery on 4 November 2015. 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. All significant events and incidents were discussed at practice meetings so that learning could be shared.

• Most risks to patients were assessed and well managed, although we found a risk relating to the maintenance of the building had not been resolved.

• 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.

• Recruitment checks had been carried out prior to employment.

• 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.

• Most patients said they found it easy to make an appointment with a named GP and that 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.

In addition the provider should:

• Ensure environmental risks relating to the practice environment are resolved promptly.
• If a decision is made to not have an automated external defibrillator (AED) on-site, undertake a formal risk assessment of not having access to an AED during practice opening hours.
• Review national guidance relating to annual basic life support training for non-clinical staff.
• Advertise that translation services are available to patients on request.

Professor Steve Field (CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP) 

Chief Inspector of General Practice

We reviewed the information available to us about Crown Street Surgery on 10 May 2019. We did not find evidence of significant changes to the quality of service being provided since the last inspection. As a result, we decided not to inspect the surgery at this time. We will continue to monitor this information about this service throughout the year and may inspect the surgery when we see evidence of potential changes.