Letter from the Chief Inspector of General Practice

We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection at Highview Medical Centre on 21 December 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. However the system for assessing and confirming the immunisation status of staff that had immediate contact with patients needed strengthening.

• Staff assessed needs and delivered care in line with current evidence based guidance. However a summary of the care plan following such assessments was not given to patients with dementia, mental health needs or Learning disability.

• Staff had been trained to provide them with the skills, knowledge and experience to deliver effective care and treatment.
• All staff had received an appraisal within the last 12 months.
• 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 GP and there was continuity of care, with urgent appointments available the same day.
• The practice had systems to support carers.
• The practice had good facilities and was well equipped to treat patients and meet their needs.
• There was a 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 continued oversight and completion of vaccinations for clinical staff.
• Develop a system to document meetings with the health visitor.

• Consider giving a copy of the care plan to patients with dementia, mental health needs and learning disabilities.

• Continue to monitor and encourage attendance to the breast and bowel cancer screening programmes.

Professor Steve Field (CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP) 

Chief Inspector of General Practice