Letter from the Chief Inspector of General Practice

We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection at Dr Y Thankey & Dr A Kachhia (also known locally as Riversley Road Surgery) on 14 September 2016. Overall the practice is rated as good.

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

• The practice had a suitable system to report and record significant events. We saw that these were fully investigated and patients affected were notified and supported.

• Procedures were in place for monitoring and managing risks to patient and staff safety, and there were arrangements to deal with emergencies and major incidents. Although we were told that fire alarm tests and drills had been carried out the practice’s log book was not up to date to confirm this.

• The practice delivered care in line with relevant and current evidence based guidance and standards. Systems were in place to keep all clinical staff up to date with current guidelines.

• The practice held annual staff appraisals meetings to review professional development and identify learning needs. Staff we spoke with during the inspection told us they had access to appropriate training to cover the scope of their work.

• We spoke with eight patients who we met in the waiting area during the inspection. All were satisfied with the overall standard of care and felt their privacy and dignity was respected by staff at the practice. We also received a high comment card return rate with similarly high patient satisfaction.

• Information for patients about the services available was easy to understand and accessible.

• Improvements were made to the quality of care as a result of complaints and concerns.

• Results from the national GP patient survey showed that patients’ satisfaction with how they could access care and treatment was higher than local and national averages.

• 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.
• The practice had invited a local PPG which had won a PPG of the Year award to share learning with their members.

The area where the provider should make improvement is:

• Maintain an up to date fire safety log book to ensure that procedures are followed and equipment is safe to use.

Professor Steve Field (CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP) 

Chief Inspector of General Practice