Letter from the Chief Inspector of General Practice

We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection at Heacham Group Practice on 25 October 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 the practice had systems in place for reporting and recording significant events.
• Risks to patients who used services were assessed and well managed.
• The practice had identified 66 patients as carers (0.9% of the practice list).
• Patient safety alerts were logged and shared although initial searches were not completed however on examination, the changes were adequately effected on the relevant patient care records due to a robust medicines management and recall process.
• 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.
• 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:

• The practice should be proactive in identifying carers.
• Ensure that the practice identifies an adult safeguarding lead.

Professor Steve Field (CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP) 

Chief Inspector of General Practice