Letter from the Chief Inspector of General Practice

We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection at Mahavir Medical Centre on 25 July 2017. 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.

• The practice had systems to minimise risks to patient safety. Risks had been assessed but we found that the fire and legionella risk assessments were not comprehensive and may not have covered all associated risks. Following our inspection the practice arranged for external risk assessments to be undertaken.

• Prescription forms and pads were stored securely and there was a system to monitor the use of prescription forms but not prescription pads.

• Staff were aware of current evidence based guidance. Staff had been trained to provide them with the skills and knowledge to deliver effective care and treatment. There was an evident focus on ongoing learning and development.
• The practice were committed to providing holistic, patient centred care suited to individual needs and circumstances.
• Results from the national GP patient survey were much higher than local and national averages and showed patients were treated with compassion, dignity and respect and were involved in their care and decisions about their treatment. They were rated particularly highly on the helpfulness of receptionists which was also reflected in patient comments on the day of our inspection.
• Information about services and how to complain was available. Improvements were made to the quality of care as a result of complaints and concerns.
• Patients who commented on their care described the service as excellent and personalised. They 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.
• 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, and we saw that this feedback was acted on to improve the service.
• The provider was aware of the requirements of the duty of candour. Examples we reviewed showed the practice complied with these requirements.

The areas where the provider should make improvement are:

• Ensure the system for monitoring the movement of prescriptions includes both prescription forms and pads.

• To strengthen the system for clinical audits to include more structure and a fuller analysis to ensure quality improvement.

Professor Steve Field (CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP) 

Chief Inspector of General Practice