Letter from the Chief Inspector of General Practice

We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection at The Bassingham Surgery on 5 October 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 well managed.

• Staff assessed patients’ needs and delivered care in line with current evidence based guidance. Staff had been trained to provide them with the skills, knowledge and experience to deliver effective care and treatment.

• Results from the national GP patient survey showed patients responded positively to questions about their involvement in planning and making decisions about their care and treatment. Results were higher than local and national averages.

• Patients said they were treated with compassion, dignity and respect and they were involved in their care and decisions about their treatment.

• A nurse responder worked directly with patients who suffered with a long term health condition both in-house and in the community to improve their level of care and to help reduce unplanned admissions to hospital.

• Information about services and how to complain was available and easy to understand. Improvements were made to the quality of care as a result of complaints and concerns.

• Patients 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.

• 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.

Professor Steve Field (CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP) 

Chief Inspector of General Practice

We spoke with four people who received their primary medical care from the practice, one doctor and the nurse practitioners well as administrative and dispensary staff.

People told us they were able to see a doctor or nurse of their choice and appointments were long enough to be able to discuss the problem fully. One person said, “If I ask to see a certain doctor I can get to see the one I want.” Another person told us, “I’m always comfortable with the time I get.”

We saw the provider provided online services for booking appointments and ordering repeat prescriptions which enabled people to access services outside normal working hours.

We saw systems ensured people received their medication when needed. Medication was safely obtained, stored and disposed of.

Staff received appropriate training which supported them to provide a safe service to people.

The provider took account of complaints comments and the patient participation group to improve the services they offered to people.