Letter from the Chief Inspector of General Practice

We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection at Drs Ferrin, Haworth and Sharief on 22 March 2016.

Breaches of the legal requirements were found, in that:

• The practice did not have an effective system that identified notifiable safety incidents.
• Staff did not always prescribe medicines in line with current evidence based guidance.
• The practice did not have an adequate system to monitor the use of prescription forms and pads.
• Information about how to complain was not made available to patients.

As a result, care and treatment was not always provided in a safe, responsive and well-led way for patients. Therefore, Requirement Notices were served in relation to the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014: Regulation12 - Safe care and treatment, Regulation 16 - Receiving and acting on complaints and Regulation 17 - Good governance.

Following the comprehensive inspection, the practice wrote to us to tell us what they would do to meet the legal requirements in relation to the breaches. You can read the report from our last comprehensive inspection by selecting ‘all reports’ link for Drs Ferrin, Haworth and Sharief on our website at www.cqc.org.uk.

We undertook this focused inspection on 10 November 2016 to check that the practice had followed their action plan and to confirm that they now met the legal requirements. This report only covers our findings in relation to those requirements.

Overall the practice is rated as good.

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

• There was an effective system that identified notifiable safety alerts and ensured that these were read by all relevant staff. The practice took action to address safety alerts that affected patients.
• Staff assessed patients’ needs and delivered care in line with current evidence based guidance. The practice had taken action to address prescribing practice and could demonstrate improvements.
• There was an effective system to monitor the use of blank prescription pads and forms.
• Information about how to complain was available and easy to understand and evidence showed the practice responded quickly to issues raised. Learning from complaints was shared with staff and other stakeholders.
• There was an overarching governance framework which supported the delivery of the strategy and good quality care. This included arrangements to monitor and improve quality and identify risk, including prescribing practice and the management of notifiable safety incidents.

Professor Steve Field (CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP) 

Chief Inspector of General Practice

Letter from the Chief Inspector of General Practice

We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection at Drs.Ferrin,Haworth and Quigley on 22 March 2016. Overall the practice is rated as requires improvement.

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

• There was an effective system for reporting and recording significant events and lessons were shared to make sure action was taken to improve safety in the practice. However, the practice did not have an effective system that identified and managed notifiable safety incidents adequately.
• Risks to patients were assessed and well managed.
• Blank prescription forms were stored securely. However, the practice did not have an adequate system to monitor their use.
• Staff did not always prescribe medicines 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 was available and easy to understand. However, there was no detailed information available to help patients understand the complaints system.
• 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.
• The practice had proactively sought feedback from patients and had an active patient participation group. Levels of patient satisfaction with the service they received from the practice were high.

The areas where the provider must make improvements are:

• Ensure the practice has an effective system to identify and manage notifiable safety incidents.
• Ensure all staff follow best practice guidance when prescribing medicines and that there is an adequate system to monitor blank prescription pads.
• Make information to help patients understand the complaints procedure available in the practice.

In addition the provider should ensure that recent relevant safety alerts have been received, communicated to staff and actioned as appropriate and should review the care of all patients affected.

Professor Steve Field (CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP) 

Chief Inspector of General Practice