Letter from the Chief Inspector of General Practice

This practice is rated as Good overall.

The key questions are rated as:

Are services safe? – Good

Are services effective? – Good

Are services caring? – Good

Are services responsive? – Good

Are services well-led? - Good

As part of our inspection process, we also look at the quality of care for specific population groups. The population groups are rated as:

Older People – Good

People with long-term conditions – Good

Families, children and young people – Good

Working age people (including those recently retired and students – Good

People whose circumstances may make them vulnerable – Good

People experiencing poor mental health (including people with dementia) - Good

We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection at Fairfield Surgery on 8 January 2018 as part of our inspection programme.

At this inspection we found:

• The practice had clear systems to manage risk so that safety incidents were less likely to happen. When incidents did happen, the practice learned from them and improved their processes.

• The practice reviewed the effectiveness of the care it provided. It ensured that care and treatment was delivered according to evidence- based guidelines.

• Staff treated patients with compassion, kindness, dignity and respect.

• There were systems in place to monitor and improve the quality of the service provided.
• Patients who commented on their care described the service as good and said they never felt rushed during consultations and treatments were explained to them. They said they found it relatively easy to make an appointment and there was continuity of care, with urgent appointments available the same day.
• 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.
• There was a system in place to manage and learn from complaints.

• The appointment system was easy to use and patients told us if needed they were able to get same day appointments.

The areas where the provider should make improvements are:

• As documented in the action plan based on the recommendations made during the infection control audit in October 2017, the provider should ensure all points in their action plans are implemented in a timely manner.

• The practice should ensure they have five year electrical safety test in place.

• A child oxygen mask should be kept with the oxygen cylinder in case it is needed in the event of a medical emergency.

• The practice should consider installing an audio loop system which would assist communication with patients who experience difficulty with hearing.

Professor Steve Field (CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP) 

Chief Inspector of General Practice