Letter from Chief Inspector of General Practice

We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection at Medicspot HQ (known as MedicSpot) on 30 November 2017.

Medicspot is a new service operating from the website: www.medicspot.co.uk. The service functions as an online GP practice providing pre-booked video consultations with patients in clinical stations based in pharmacies.

We found this service provided safe, effective, caring, responsive and well led services in accordance with the relevant regulations.

Our findings in relation to the key questions were as follows:

Are services safe? – we found the service was providing a safe service in accordance with the relevant regulations. Specifically:

• Arrangements were in place to safeguard people, including arrangements to check patient identity.
• Prescribing was in line with national guidance, and people were told about the risks associated with any medicines used outside of their licence.
• Suitable numbers of staff were employed and appropriately recruited.
• Risks were assessed and action taken to mitigate any risks identified.

Are services effective? - we found the service was providing an effective service in accordance with the relevant regulations. Specifically:

• Following patient consultations, if they consented, information was appropriately shared with a patient’s own GP in line with GMC guidance.
• Quality improvement activity, including clinical audit, took place.
• Staff received the appropriate training to carry out their role.

Are services caring? – we found the service was providing a caring service in accordance with the relevant regulations. Specifically:

• The provider carried out checks to ensure consultations by GPs met the expected service standards.
• Patient feedback reflected they found the service treated them with dignity and respect.
• Patients had access to information about GPs working at the service.

Are services responsive? - we found the service was providing a responsive service in accordance with the relevant regulations. Specifically:

• Information about how to access the service was clear and the service was available 7 days a week.
• The provider did not discriminate against any client group.
• Information about how to complain was available and complaints were handled appropriately.

Are services well-led? - we found the service was providing a well-led service in accordance with the relevant regulations. Specifically:

• The service had clear leadership and governance structures
• A range of information was used to monitor and improve the quality and performance of the service.
• Patient information was stored securely.

Professor Steve Field CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP

Chief Inspector of General Practice