Letter from the Chief Inspector of General Practice

In May 2016 we found concerns related to governance arrangements and supporting processes during a comprehensive inspection of Dr Reidy & Partners, more commonly known as Desborough and Hazlemere Surgery in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire. Following the inspection the provider sent us an action plan detailing how they would improve the areas of concern.

On the previous inspection in May 2016, we found one breach of the regulation relating to good governance. The full comprehensive report on the May 2016 inspection can be found by selecting the ‘all reports’ link for Dr Reidy & Partners on our website at www.cqc.org.uk.

We carried out a follow up inspection of the practice on 8 February 2017 to ensure these changes had been implemented and that the service was meeting the requirements of the regulations.

The ratings for the practice have been updated to reflect our findings following the improvements made since our last inspection and the practice is now meeting the regulation that had previously been breached.

Specifically the practice was:

• Managing high risk medicines in a safe and effective way. Furthermore, processes supporting high risk medicines had been strengthened and patients were having their treatment reviewed within the appropriate timescales.

• Operating safe systems in relation to health and safety. The practice had established and was now operating an effective system to assess, manage and mitigate the risks identified relating to legionella and infection control.

• Effectively managing training arrangements, which were consistent and embedded across all staff groups. Personal and professional development was managed and recorded on a system which identified when staff had training and when it would need to be refreshed.

• Managing an overarching governance framework which supported the delivery of the strategy and good quality care. Arrangements had been made which reviewed, updated and amended policies in light of changes within legislation.

The practice had taken full heed of the findings of the inspection undertaken in May 2016 and is now rated good for the provision of safe, effective, caring, responsive and well led services. All six population groups have also been re-rated following these improvements and are also rated as good.

Professor Steve Field CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP

Chief Inspector of General Practice

Letter from the Chief Inspector of General Practice

In May 2016 we found concerns related to governance arrangements and supporting processes during a comprehensive inspection of Dr Reidy & Partners, more commonly known as Desborough and Hazlemere Surgery in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire. Following the inspection the provider sent us an action plan detailing how they would improve the areas of concern.

On the previous inspection in May 2016, we found one breach of the regulation relating to good governance. The full comprehensive report on the May 2016 inspection can be found by selecting the ‘all reports’ link for Dr Reidy & Partners on our website at www.cqc.org.uk.

We carried out a follow up inspection of the practice on 8 February 2017 to ensure these changes had been implemented and that the service was meeting the requirements of the regulations.

The ratings for the practice have been updated to reflect our findings following the improvements made since our last inspection and the practice is now meeting the regulation that had previously been breached.

Specifically the practice was:

• Managing high risk medicines in a safe and effective way. Furthermore, processes supporting high risk medicines had been strengthened and patients were having their treatment reviewed within the appropriate timescales.

• Operating safe systems in relation to health and safety. The practice had established and was now operating an effective system to assess, manage and mitigate the risks identified relating to legionella and infection control.

• Effectively managing training arrangements, which were consistent and embedded across all staff groups. Personal and professional development was managed and recorded on a system which identified when staff had training and when it would need to be refreshed.

• Managing an overarching governance framework which supported the delivery of the strategy and good quality care. Arrangements had been made which reviewed, updated and amended policies in light of changes within legislation.

The practice had taken full heed of the findings of the inspection undertaken in May 2016 and is now rated good for the provision of safe, effective, caring, responsive and well led services. All six population groups have also been re-rated following these improvements and are also rated as good.

Professor Steve Field CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP

Chief Inspector of General Practice

During our visit we spoke with patients who were visiting the practice on the day of our visit. We also received feedback from patients through the patient questionnaire. We asked patients if they were treated with respect and dignity and the responses were positive. Comments included “Yes, common politeness and enquiry if there is anything else they can help me with”, “Yes. That is the impression they project”, “The staff are very friendly and respectful” and “Reception staff are excellent, they are kind, polite and very accommodating.” We observed staff treated patients in a respectful manner. We found the reception staff friendly, polite and caring in their approach.

Patients told us they experienced safe and appropriate care. Patients were happy with the service they received from their doctor and other staff at the practice. Comments included “The staff are excellent”, “The reception staff are very helpful”, “My GP is very professional, he is very thorough and explains everything really well” and “I could not fault the staff here, they are dedicated and provide a good service.”

We found patients who used the service were protected from the risk of abuse, because the provider had taken reasonable steps to identify the possibility of abuse and prevent abuse from happening.

We found the practice had effective recruitment and selection processes in place and appropriate checks were undertaken before staff began work.

Patients we spoke with did not express any concern about the care and treatment they had received. They told us they knew how to make a complaint. One patient told us “If I was unhappy or had any concerns I would speak to the reception staff or ask for the manager.” Another patient said “I have never had the need to complain, but I know all the information is available of the complaints leaflet.”