Letter from the Chief Inspector of General Practice

We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection at Haworth Medical Practice on 11 May 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 usually could arrange appointments with their preferred doctor and urgent appointments were 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.

We saw one area of outstanding practice:

• The practice offered a level 2 diabetes clinics (where patients could be commenced on insulin therapy without attending hospital).

The areas where the provider should make improvements are:

• Identify an appropriate checking system for dispensed medication and implement this.

Professor Steve Field (CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP) 

Chief Inspector of General Practice