Letter from the Chief Inspector of General Practice

We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection at 8.00hrs on 19 April 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 although there was no risk assessment for the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH).
• 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. However, basic life support training had not been updated annually for all staff.
• Patients said they were treated with compassion, dignity and respect and they were involved in their care and decisions about their treatment.
• The practice identified and supported patients who were also carers, however only seven carers had been identified.
• Information about services and how to complain was available and easy to understand. Improvements were made to the quality of care as a result of complaints and concerns.
• Patients said they could make an appointment with a named GP in a reasonable time and there was continuity of care, with urgent appointments available the same day.
• The practice had adequate facilities and was equipped to treat patients and meet their needs.
• There was a clear leadership structure and staff felt supported by management. 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 improvements are:

• Carry out a risk assessment for the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH).
• Ensure basic life support training is updated annually for all staff.
• Formalise staff induction programmes.
• Take action to proactively identify and support patients who are also carers.
• Advertise translation services in the patient waiting area.
• Consider improving communication with patients who have a hearing impairment.
• Develop a formal strategy to deliver the practice vision.

Professor Steve Field (CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP) 

Chief Inspector of General Practice