Letter from the Chief Inspector of General Practice

We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection at Great Eccleston Health Centre on 11th January 2017. 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 generally assessed and well managed. On the day of inspection,we found some areas which needed addressing, and the practice did so immediately.

• 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 the management team.
• 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.

Professor Steve Field (CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP) 

Chief Inspector of General Practice

Great Eccleston Health Centre is a rural practice located in the village of Great Eccleston.

Most of the patients we spoke with as part of our inspection were very complimentary about the care provided by the service. Patients described staff as polite and caring, and told us they were treated with dignity and respect.

The practice provided care and treatment in an environment which was visibly clean, well maintained and fit for purpose.

Great Eccleston Health Centre is a dispensing practice. There were systems in place to protect patients against the risks associated with unsafe use and management of medicines. Some aspects of medicines management within the practice could be improved.

Care and treatment was delivered in line with current best practice.

Leadership of the practice is visible and accessible. There is a well established management structure with a clear allocation of responsibilities.

The practice is registered with the Care Quality Commission to deliver care under the following regulated activities: diagnostic and screening procedures; family planning; maternity and midwifery services; surgical procedures; and treatment of disease, disorder or injury.