Letter from the Chief Inspector of General Practice

We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection at Stoney Stanton Medical Practice on 18 October 2017. 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 a system in place for reporting and recording significant events and we saw evidence of this and how learning outcomes had been shared.
• The practice had defined systems to minimise risks to patient safety. Some staff files did not contain all relevant information required prior to commencement of employment as set out in the recruitment policy.

• Staff were aware of current evidence based guidance. Staff had been trained to provide them with the skills and knowledge to deliver effective care and treatment.
• Results from the national GP patient survey were positive and showed patients were treated with compassion, dignity and respect and were involved in their care and decisions about their treatment. Patients we spoke with during our inspection confirmed these views.
• The practice had a complaints procedure but this required updating and making clearly visible for patients in the waiting area. However, the practice acted promptly and addressed these issues and confirmed they had made information about how to complain available. Improvements were made to the quality of care as a result of complaints and concerns.
• Patients we spoke with said they found it easy to make an appointment with a named GP and there was continuity of care, with urgent appointments available the same day. Results from the national patient survey also supported this view.
• 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 the requirements of the duty of candour. Examples we reviewed showed the practice complied with these requirements.

The areas where the provider should make improvement are:

• Ensure all relevant documentation is maintained in staff files in line with the practice recruitment policy.

• Ensure all policies are updated and that review dates are included.
• Minutes of staff meetings should be more comprehensive and circulated to all staff.
• Ensure portable appliance testing (PAT) schedules include all electrical equipment in use at the practice.
• Introduce a means of assuring that the cleaning schedule had been carried out as required.

Professor Steve Field CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP

Chief Inspector of General Practice