Letter from the Chief Inspector of General Practice

We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection at Springfield Surgery on 17 March 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 the majority of risks were well managed.
• The practice was part of a local frailty initiative to provide care and support for frail patients.
• 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.
• Feedback from patients about their care was consistently and strongly positive.
• 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.
• Patients said they found it easy to make an appointment with a named GP and that there was continuity of care, with urgent appointments available the same day.
• There was an active patient participation group who organised health education events.
• 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 improvement are:

• Ensure that regular fire alarm checks continue to be carried out and documented, and ensure that fire drills are carried out as planned and documented.
• Ensure the infection control audit is reviewed once completed and ensure any actions identified are noted with a timescale for completion.
• Review how patients on the diabetic register are cared for and monitored to ensure they are getting the regular checks required for managing their condition as outlined in the Quality and Outcomes Framework (QOF).

Professor Steve Field (CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP) 

Chief Inspector of General Practice