Letter from the Chief Inspector of General Practice

We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection at Fressingfield Medical Centre on 19 January 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.
• Staff assessed patients’ needs and delivered care 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 and how to complain was available and easy to understand.
• 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 areas where the provider should make improvement are:

• Ensure the dispensary is only accessible to authorised staff.
• The practice needed to ensure that a record is made in the child’s notes if they fail to attend an appointment.

Professor Steve Field (CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP) 

Chief Inspector of General Practice

During our inspection on 15 August 2013, we found the service to be welcoming with friendly staff. People who used the service told us they were happy with the appointment system. One person told us: “They always have emergency appointments; they always fit you in if you need it.” Another person told us: “They always ask first, I need to examine you, is that all right? That kind of thing, it’s all nicely done not frightening.”

We saw that on arrival at the service people could speak to reception staff or use the touch in booking screen. We saw that staff spoke politely to people and consultations were carried out in private treatment rooms. One person told us: “They have always taken good care of me.”

Information was clearly displayed for people, including health promotion, access to support services and information about the practice and the services provided. A visiting health care professional told us: “We work together. It’s in the patient’s interest to get the best for them.”

People told us that their treatment was clearly explained to them and they were able to ask questions and make choices about their medication. This enabled people to make informed decisions regarding their care.

During our inspection we saw from the records we looked at that staff had received regular training, supervisions and appraisals. Appropriate pre-employment checks had been carried out.

The people we spoke with were happy with the service and did not have any concerns or issues about the care and treatment they received. One person told us: “I come here when I’m poorly and they usually make me better.”