Letter from the Chief Inspector of General Practice

We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection at the Sovereign Practice on 26 April 2016. We found that the practice required improvement for the provision of effective services because breaches of regulation were identified. The full comprehensive report on the 26 April 2016 inspection can be found by selecting the ‘all reports’ link for Sovereign Practice on our website at www.cqc.org.uk.

This inspection was an announced focused inspection carried out on 15 August 2017 to confirm that the practice had carried out their plan to meet the legal requirements in relation to the breaches in regulations that we identified in our previous inspection on 26 April 2016. This report covers our findings in relation to those requirements and also additional improvements made since our last inspection.

The practice is now rated as good for providing effective services as well as good overall.

Our key findings were as follows:

• Improved systems and processes had been implemented to ensure performance and patient outcomes were effectively monitored and audited.

• Systems had been initiated to effectively manage and monitor role specific training requirements.

At the previous inspection in April 2016 we also told the provider that they should make improvements in relation to:

• Ensuring that the system for recording significant event actions was improved. At this inspection we found that a new electronic recording form was available where detailed information was recorded. Significant events were a standing item on the agenda of practice meetings. Outcomes and learning points were discussed, reviewed and detailed in the minutes of meetings.

• The identification of patients who are registered with them who are also carers. The practice had increased the percentage of patients on the register from 0.3% (54 patients) to 2% (257 patients). Identified carers for whom it was appropriate were referred to a local support organisation.

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 the Sovereign Practice on 26 April 2016. We found that the practice required improvement for the provision of effective services because breaches of regulation were identified. The full comprehensive report on the 26 April 2016 inspection can be found by selecting the ‘all reports’ link for Sovereign Practice on our website at www.cqc.org.uk.

This inspection was an announced focused inspection carried out on 15 August 2017 to confirm that the practice had carried out their plan to meet the legal requirements in relation to the breaches in regulations that we identified in our previous inspection on 26 April 2016. This report covers our findings in relation to those requirements and also additional improvements made since our last inspection.

The practice is now rated as good for providing effective services as well as good overall.

Our key findings were as follows:

• Improved systems and processes had been implemented to ensure performance and patient outcomes were effectively monitored and audited.

• Systems had been initiated to effectively manage and monitor role specific training requirements.

At the previous inspection in April 2016 we also told the provider that they should make improvements in relation to:

• Ensuring that the system for recording significant event actions was improved. At this inspection we found that a new electronic recording form was available where detailed information was recorded. Significant events were a standing item on the agenda of practice meetings. Outcomes and learning points were discussed, reviewed and detailed in the minutes of meetings.

• The identification of patients who are registered with them who are also carers. The practice had increased the percentage of patients on the register from 0.3% (54 patients) to 2% (257 patients). Identified carers for whom it was appropriate were referred to a local support organisation.

Professor Steve Field (CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP) 

Chief Inspector of General Practice

This inspection visit was undertaken by two compliance inspectors.

We spoke with nine adult patients and two children on the day of the inspection visit. We also spoke with three of the GPs, the practice manager, four practice nurses, a telephonist and receptionist.

Patients told us that they felt well informed and involved in making decisions about their care and treatment. They said that all staff were approachable. Confidentiality was protected. Patients were happy with the care and treatment they received and valued the local services provided. However, some found that they experienced difficulties in getting an appointment on the day.

We looked at the processes that the practice had in place to ensure the patients were protected from abuse. We found that staff had received appropriate training on all safeguarding issues. Staff spoken with understood that any suspicion of abuse needed to be reported.

Staff told us that they had training and development opportunities and that they were well supported by the provider. They felt well qualified for their roles and responsibilities.

We found processes in place to review and monitor the quality of the service provided. Patient surveys were conducted with the results analysed. There was learning from the processes and the information was used to improve the service.