Letter from the Chief Inspector of General Practice

We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection at Dr Dipak Vidhu Shah’s Practice on 15 December 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.

• Risks to patients were assessed and appropriately managed.

• 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.

• The practice worked well with the patient participation group (PPG) and responded positively to new developments or questions raised.

• Information about services and how to complain was available and easy to understand.

• 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, with clear aims and objectives to deliver good quality professional treatment and care.

• Staff felt supported by management. The practice encouraged a blame free culture

• The practice 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:

• The practice should ensure that verbal complaints and feedback from patients is always formally recorded and responded to.

• Continue to review access to appointments, following feedback received in the national GP patient survey.

Professor Steve Field (CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP) 

Chief Inspector of General Practice