Letter from the Chief Inspector of General Practice

We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection at Handforth 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:

• Staff understood and fulfilled their responsibilities to raise concerns and report incidents and near misses. Significant events had been investigated and action had been taken as a result of the learning from events.

• Systems were in place to deal with medical emergencies and all staff were trained in basic life support.

• There were systems in place to reduce risks to patient safety. For example, infection control practices were carried out appropriately and there were regular checks on the environment and on equipment used.

• Staff assessed patients’ needs and delivered care in line with current evidence based guidance.

• Feedback from patients about the care and treatment they received from clinicians was very positive.

• Data showed that outcomes for patients at this practice were similar to outcomes for patients locally and nationally.

• Staff had been trained to provide them with the skills, knowledge and experience to deliver effective care and treatment.

• Patients told us they were treated with dignity and respect and they were involved in decisions about their care and treatment.

• Patients said they found it easy to make an appointment and there was good continuity of care.

• The appointments system was flexible to accommodate the needs of patients. Urgent appointments were available the same day and routine appointments could be booked in advance.

• The practice had good facilities, including disabled access. It was well equipped to treat patients and meet their needs.

• Information about services and how to complain was available. Complaints had been investigated and responded to in a timely manner.

• There was a clear leadership and staff structure and staff understood their roles and responsibilities.

• The practice had a clear vision to provide a safe and high quality service.

• The practice provided a range of enhanced services to meet the needs of the local population.

• The practice sought patient views about improvements that could be made to the service. This included the practice having and consulting with a patient participation group (PPG).

We saw an area of outstanding practice:

The practice used the system of coding in the clinical system very effectively and they were proactive in contacting patients to ensure they received the monitoring, care and treatment they needed. The system was effective for the patient population and provided an added safety net for vulnerable patients.

Areas where the provider should make improvement:

• Review the procedures for patient specific directions (PSDs) to ensure they support the safe administration of medicines.

• Ensure that staff who provide chaperoning duties have undergone all required checks.

Professor Steve Field CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGPChief Inspector of General Practice

Professor Steve Field (CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP) 

Chief Inspector of General Practice