Letter from the Chief Inspector of General Practice

We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection at Frankley Health Centre on 14 September 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. Staff were aware of this and lessons learnt were shared.
• Risks to patients were assessed and well managed. There were systems in place to address all areas of risk, although the system for the recording of actions from safety alerts required some amendment, which has subsequently been completed. 

• 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.
• 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 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 found it easy to make an appointment with a named GP and 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 areas where the provider should make improvements are:

• Review the process they have put in place to record actions from safety alerts to ensure it is working effectively.
• Review the system for tracking prescriptions to ensure it is working effectively.
• Monitor the effectiveness of recent changes in the telephone system.
• Ensure the programme of appraisals is completed as planned.
• Continue to explore ways of establishing a patient participation group in line with contractual requirements.

Professor Steve Field CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP

Chief Inspector of General Practice

We reviewed the information available to us about Frankley Health Centre on 22 May 2019. We did not find evidence of significant changes to the quality of service being provided since the last inspection. As a result, we decided not to inspect the surgery at this time. We will continue to monitor this information about this service throughout the year and may inspect the surgery when we see evidence of potential changes.