Letter from the Chief Inspector of General Practice

We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection at Dr Omar Hassouna on 19 November 2015. Overall the practice is rated as good.

Specifically, we rated the practice as good for providing safe, effective, caring, responsive and well led services. The service provided to the following population groups was rated as good:

• Older people

• People with long-term conditions

• Families, children and young people

• Working age people (including those recently retired and students)

• People whose circumstances may make them vulnerable

• People experiencing poor mental health (including people with dementia).

Our key findings across all the areas we inspected were as follows:

• Incidents were being reported and learning shared with staff. There were systems in place to maintain the health and safety of patients and staff at the practice.
• 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 we spoke with and those who completed our comments cards were very positive about their experiences of the care and treatment provided by staff. Patients said they were treated with 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.
• The practice aspired to offer appointments within 48 hours and patients said they found it easy to make an appointment with the GP. Urgent appointments were available the same day. The practice offered home visits and telephone consultations where appropriate. .
• 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 areas where the provider should make improvement are:

• Clinical audits should have reference to standards being used.

Professor Steve Field (CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP) 

Chief Inspector of General Practice