Letter from the Chief Inspector of General Practice

We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection at Stourport Health Centre on 17 May 2017. Overall the practice is rated as good.

Our key findings across all the areas we inspected were as follows:

• The practice was one of six sites which formed the Wyre Forest Health Partnership (WFHP). Functions such as human resources and finance were undertaken by staff at the WFHP. Many of the governance functions were carried out in conjunction with the WFHP.
• There was an open and transparent approach to safety and a system for reporting and recording significant events, including positive events. Learning was routinely shared across six practices.
• The practice had clearly defined and embedded systems to minimise risks to patient safety.
• Staff had the skills, knowledge and experience to deliver effective care and treatment in line with current evidence based guidance.
• Results from the National GP Patient Survey published in July 2016 evidenced that patients felt that they were treated with kindness, dignity and courtesy and that clinical staff involved them in discussions about their care and treatment options.
• There were high levels of satisfaction regarding access to care and treatment. The appointment system ensured that patients could be triaged and receive a telephone call from a clinician the same day. Same day face to face consultations were always available.
• Information about services and how to complain was available both in the reception area and on the practice website. Improvements were made to the quality of care as a result of complaints and concerns.
• The practice implemented suggestions for improvements and made changes to the way it delivered services in response to feedback from patients and from the Patient Participation Group (PPG). For example, the PPG had recommended that a patient information screen be installed in the reception area and this was actioned.
• Patients we spoke with said that it was easy to make an appointment with a named GP and that there was continuity of care. Urgent appointments were always 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 told us that they felt supported by the management team. 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 area where the provider should make improvement is:

• Maintain a record of vaccination stock levels.

Professor Steve Field (CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP) 

Chief Inspector of General Practice