Letter from the Chief Inspector of General Practice

We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection at Long Bennington Medical Centre on 24 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 a system in place for reporting and recording significant events. However themes and trends were not reviewed to ensure actions were taken in a timely manner.
• Risks to patients were assessed and well managed.
• The practice assessed needs and delivered care in line with relevant and current evidence based guidance and standards, including National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) best practice guidelines. 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.
• Processes were in place for handling repeat prescriptions which included the review of high risk medicines.
• 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 improvement are:

• Review themes and trends from significant events to ensure actions were undertaken in a timely manner.

• Ensure the safeguarding registeris current and up to date

• Ensure that all necessary emergency medicines are available for use at all times.

• Embed a system for the identification of carers.

• Put a system in place to monitor QOF in relation to exception reporting to ensure actions are taken where required.

• Put a process in place to check medicines in the dispensary are within their expiry date and suitable for use.

• Embed a system to review standard operating procedures (SOP) and processes and monitor their use.

Professor Steve Field (CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP) 

Chief Inspector of General Practice