Letter from the Chief Inspector of General Practice

We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection of Overdale Medical Practice on 18 April 2016. During that inspection we found that the provider had not completed all essential safety checks and risk assessments at the main practice and the branch surgery to ensure the premises are safe. Also, required staff recruitment checks did not include information about any health conditions that are relevant to a person's ability to carry out the work.

Overall the practice was rated as good with are services safe requiring improvement in view of the above.

After the comprehensive inspection, the practice wrote to us to say what action they had taken to meet the legal requirement in relation to the above breach.

We undertook this desk based review on 28 October 2016 to check that the provider had completed the required improvements, and now met the legal requirement. We did not visit the practice as part of this inspection.

This report only covers our findings in relation to the above requirement. You can read the report from our last comprehensive inspection, by selecting the 'all reports'link for Overdale Medical Practice on our website at www.cqc.org.uk.

Our finding across the area we inspected was as follows:

• The practice had taken appropriate action to meet the legal requirement.
• Records showed that the provider had completed the necessary safety checks and risk assessments at the main practice and the branch surgery to ensure the premises are safe. Arrangements were in place to carry out the recommended remedial work where required.   

• Staff recruitment checks required information about any health conditions that are relevant to a person's ability to carry out the work. A health policy and questionnaire was in place, which new staff are required to complete.

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Professor Steve Field (CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP) 

Chief Inspector of General Practice

Letter from the Chief Inspector of General Practice

We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection at Overdale Medical Practice on 18 April 2016. Overall the practice is rated as Good.

Please note that when referring to information throughout this report, for example any reference to the Quality and Outcomes Framework data, this relates to the most recent information available to the Care Quality Commission (CQC) at that time.

Our key findings were as follows:

• There was a robust system for patients and staff s to raise concerns and to report incidents and near misses. Information about safety was recorded, monitored, reviewed and addressed.
• Most risks to patients and staff were assessed and well managed. There were a number of exceptions identified that the practice planned to add to the risk log.
• Patients’ needs were assessed and care was planned and delivered following best practice guidance. Staff understood their responsibilities and had received training appropriate to their roles and any further training needs had been identified and planned.
• Patients said they were treated with 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.
• The practice was seen to have an appointment system that provided timely access to appointments. This was supported by positive patient feedback.
• The practice had good facilities that included a dedicated minor surgery suite. There was sufficient equipment to treat patients and meet their needs.
• There was a clear leadership structure with clearly defined roles and responsibilities. Staff said they felt supported by management. The practice proactively sought feedback from staff, patients and third party organisations, which it acted on.

We saw a number of areas where the practice must make improvements.

The practice must:

• Ensure the safety of their premises and the equipment within it by completing a fire risk assessment and a risk assessment for window blinds that have loop cords, perform regular fire evacuation drills at both sites, complete a hard wire electrical test at the Borrowash site, ensure air conditioning units are regularly serviced in line with the manufacturer’s guidelines and complete health checks on newly appointed staff.

We saw one area where the practice should make improvements.

The practice should:

• Implement a robust recall system for patients who have learning disabilities to have annual health checks.

Professor Steve Field CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP

Chief Inspector of General Practice

Professor Steve Field (CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP) 

Chief Inspector of General Practice