Letter from the Chief Inspector of General Practice

We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection at Dr Ramaswamysetty Venugopal on 30 March 2016. Overall the practice is rated as good.

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

• Significant events recording systems were not formally structured but the practice had identified and managed them effectively to improve safety.
• Practice specific policies were implemented and were available to all staff.
• Most arrangements for identifying, recording and managing risks, issues and implementing mitigating actions were robust.
• 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.
• 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 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.

Areas of practice where the provider should make improvements:

• Implement systems to ensure consistent clinical equipment cleaning, and staff induction and training including fire safety and infection control.
• Review process documentation for significant events and meetings to strengthen risk management and quality improvement.
• Review arrangements for ensuring patients are aware of translations services.

Professor Steve Field (CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP) 

Chief Inspector of General Practice