Letter from the Chief Inspector of General Practice

We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection at The Garden City Surgery on 20 September 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. However, the practice had not carried out any recent fire drills.
• Infection control processes were in place but there had been no audits to monitor them and identify any potential improvements.
• 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.
• The GP partners arranged professional development events with local consultants from secondary can and included topics such as diabetes management, COPD management, heart failure management. This forum improved direct links with secondary care colleagues and provided direct access for clinical advice.
• Patients said they were satisfied with the care they received and thought staff were approachable, committed and caring. Patients told us they felt involved in decision making about the care and treatment they received.
• 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.
• The practice facilities were equipped to treat patients and meet their needs. Consultation rooms were available on the ground floor for patients who could not manage the stairs. There were access enabled toilets and an automatic door at the entrance. All staff had received deaf awareness training.
• 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 improvements are:

• Carry out regular fire drills so staff are familiar with actions to take in the event of a fire.
• Complete audits to monitor infection control processes in place.
• Continue to encourage patients to attend cancer screening such as cervical and breast cancer.
• Continue to identify and support carers within the practice population.

Professor Steve Field (CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP) 

Chief Inspector of General Practice