Letter from the Chief Inspector of General Practice

We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection at Nidderdale Group Practice on 4 November 2016. We visited the main surgery Feastfield Medical Centre and the branch sites, Spring Gables Surgery and the Grange Medical Centre during the inspection. 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.
• Staff assessed patients’ needs and delivered care in line with current evidence based guidance. Staff had 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 were able to get same day appointments and pre bookable appointments were available.
• 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.

We saw an area of outstanding practice:

• The practice had implemented GP succession planning. One partner had retired in 2016 and one was due to retire in 2017. Two salaried GPs had been employed before the partners retired to ensure continuity of care for patients.

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

Importantly the provider should:

• Monitor that chaperones record their attendance in patient records.

• Review the frequency of controlled drugs checks in line with the practice Standard Operating Procedure.

• Implement a process for checking and recording expiry dates for medicines at the Grange and Spring Gables sites in accordance with current guidance.

• Review the management of blank prescription forms at all sites.

• Review actions plan templates so they include all required information.

Professor Steve Field (CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP) 

Chief Inspector of General Practice