Letter from the Chief Inspector of General Practice

We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection at Parkfield Medical Centre on 25 May 2016. Overall 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 were positive about the standard of care they received and about staff behaviours. They said staff were friendly, caring and empathetic. They told us that their privacy and dignity was respected 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.
• There was continuity of care, with urgent appointments available the same day.
• 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.

The areas where the provider should make improvements are:

• Ensure that all staff employed are supported by completing the essential training relevant to their roles, including infection control training.
• Ensure that a policy is in place that specifies the process and relevant contact details for staff to use when there are adult safeguarding concerns.
• Ensure that a comprehensive fire risk assessment is completed.
• Take steps to ensure that hot water temperatures at the practice are kept within the required levels.
• Ensure that a documented policy on patient consent is in place.
• Continue to support carers in its patient population by providing annual health reviews.
• Continue to take steps to ensure that in future National GP Patient Surveys the practice’s areas of below local and national average performance are improved.
• Continue to take steps to improve access to the practice by telephone.

Professor Steve Field (CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP) 

Chief Inspector of General Practice