Letter from the Chief Inspector of General Practice

We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection at Dallam Lane Medical Centre on 5 September 2017. Overall the practice is rated as good. Our key findings across all the areas we inspected were as follows:

• Staff understood and fulfilled their responsibilities to raise concerns and report incidents and near misses. Significant events had been investigated and action had been taken as a result of the learning from events.

• Systems were in place to deal with medical emergencies and staff were trained in basic life support.

• There were systems in place to reduce risks to patient safety. For example, infection control practices were carried out appropriately and there were regular checks on the environment and on equipment used.

• Staff assessed patients’ needs and delivered care in line with current evidence based guidance.

• Data showed that outcomes for patients at this practice were similar to outcomes for patients locally and nationally.

• Staff had been trained to provide them with the skills, knowledge and experience to deliver effective care and treatment.

• The appointments system was flexible to accommodate the needs of patients. Urgent appointments were available the same day and routine appointments could be booked in advance.

• Information about services and how to complain was available. Complaints had been investigated and responded to in a timely manner.

• There was a clear leadership and staff structure and staff understood their roles and responsibilities.

• The provider had a clear vision to provide a safe and high quality service.

• The practice sought patient views about improvements that could be made to the service. This included the practice having and consulting with a patient participation group (PPG).

The areas where the provider should make improvement are:

• Review the arrangements for checking emergency medicines and fridge temperatures.

• Carry out a risk assessment in response to the results of the infection prevention and control audit.

• Ensure staff training records are kept up to date to demonstrate the training provided and readily identify any shortfalls in training.

• Undertake work to increase the number of identified carers to ensure these patients are provided with information about the support available to them.

Professor Steve Field (CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP) 

Chief Inspector of General Practice