Letter from the Chief Inspector of General Practice

We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection at Stainland Road Medical Centre on 16 December 2015. 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 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 mainly said they found it easy to make an appointment and that appointments with a named GP were often available, and that 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.

We saw the following areas of outstanding practice:

• The practice had developed a weekly nurse led drop-in contraception and sexual health clinic aimed specifically at teenage patients. We saw evidence that the service was accessed by a broad range of age groups including teenagers, and that patient feedback was very positive about the service.

• In-house counselling which was funded by the practice, provided additional support for patients experiencing emotional difficulties.

Professor Steve Field (CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP) 

Chief Inspector of General Practice