Letter from the Chief Inspector of General Practice

We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection at the practice Of Dr Nasima Sidda on 15 August 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 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.
• Patients said they found it easy to make an appointment with a named GP and 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.
• All staff employed by the practice had received a disclosure and barring check (DBS check). (DBS checks identify whether a person has a criminal record or is on an official list of people barred from working in roles where they may have contact with children or adults who may be vulnerable).
• 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 were part of a GP federation holiday scheme where member practices covered each for each other during annual leave and sickness.

We saw areas of outstanding practice:

The practice worked closely with the Bolton Community Mosques to educate patients in:

• Healthy living and the importance of national screening programmes
• How to manage diabetes and other long term conditions
• To hold events around Ramadan including fasting for diabetics
• Hold two annual vaccination clinics for the HAJJ pilgrimage

The practice held healthy walks for patients who found it difficult to attend other forms of classes. These were put on hold during Ramadan.

The GP made visits to vulnerable patients who were in hospital.

Professor Steve Field CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP 

Chief Inspector of General Practice

Care was provided in an environment which was modern, clean and well organised.

The practice had a large reception and comfortable waiting area for patients attending an appointment.There were sufficient consultation rooms to ensure that consultations were undertaken in private.

Patients we spoke with during the inspection spoke very positively about the GP and the practice. Comments included: "I have been a patient here for many years, I have no complaints at all", "We are very happy with the GP", "We are always listened to and we are happy here", and "They (the practice staff) are very good, they are very kind".

We observed staff greeting and speaking with patients in a very respectful manner.

The practice had a range of policies, procedures and guidance in place for staff to access, which supported the safe management of the service.