Letter from the Chief Inspector of General Practice

We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection at Northfield Medical Practice on 2 December 2016. Overall the practice is rated as good for providing safe, effective, caring, responsive and well-led care for all of the population groups it serves.

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

• The practice staff had a very good understanding of the needs of their practice population and were flexible in their service delivery to meet patient demands; such as providing flexible GP appointments when required.
• There was a clear leadership structure, staff were aware of their roles and responsibilities and told us the GPs were accessible and supportive.
• There was evidence of an all-inclusive team approach to providing services and care for patients.
• Staff had the skills, knowledge and experience to deliver effective care and treatment.
• There was good access to clinicians and patients said they found it easy to make an appointment. There was continuity of care and if urgent care was needed patients were seen on the same day as requested.
• Patients’ needs were assessed and care was planned and delivered following local and national care pathways and National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidance.
• The practice promoted a culture of openness and honesty. There was a nominated lead for dealing with complaints and significant events. All staff were encouraged and supported to record any incidents. There was evidence of good investigation, learning and sharing mechanisms in place.
• Risks to patients were assessed and well managed.
• There was a safeguarding lead in place and systems to protect patients and staff from abuse.
• The practice implemented suggestions for improvements and made changes to the way it delivered services as a consequence of feedback from patients and from the patient participation group. For example the practice had reviewed access to appointments and improved the telephone system.
• Staff said they were proud to work at the practice and felt they delivered good, quality service and care to patients.
• The practice complied with the requirements of the duty of candour. (The duty of candour is a set of specific legal requirements that providers of services must follow when things go wrong with care and treatment.)

Professor Steve Field (CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP) 

Chief Inspector of General Practice