Letter from the Chief Inspector of General Practice

We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection at Musters Medical Practice on 8 September 2015. Overall the practice is rated as good.

Our key findings across all the areas we inspected were as follows:

• The practice had arrangements in place to deal with information concerning safety. Staff were aware of their responsibilities to raise concerns and report incidents. Information relating to safety was documents, monitored and reviewed.

• Most risks to patients were assessed and well managed, however, the practice needed to ensure oversight of risks related to areas of the building which it occupied.
• The practice used best practice guidance to plan and deliver treatment for its patients. staff had received training appropriate to their roles and were able to access further training to meet their training needs.
• Patients told us they were treated with dignity and respect and involved in decisions about their care. Staff treated patients and families with compassion.
• Information about services and how to complain was available and easy to understand.
• Patients said they found it easy to make an appointment with a named GP and that there was continuity of care, with urgent appointments available the same day.
• The practice had very good facilities and was well equipped to treat patients and meet their needs.
• There was clear leadership within the practice and we saw evidence of a very supportive culture amongst practice staff. The practice encouraged feedback and suggestions from staff.

However there were some areas of practice where the provider needs to make improvements.

Importantly the provider should:

• Ensure formal arrangements are in place to identity, assess and manage all risks for those areas of the building that occupied and used by the practice
• Ensure there are robust systems in place for the storage of staff appraisal documentation
• Ensure that staff undertaking chaperone duties have a clear understanding of their role and responsibilities
• Ensure that their business continuity plan is updated to reflect current contact details for relevant organisations
• Ensure that oral airways and masks identified on inspection as being in poor condition are replaced

Professor Steve Field (CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP) 

Chief Inspector of General Practice