We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection at The Poplars Medical Centre on 8 February 2019 as part of our inspection programme. The practice was previously inspected on 6 October 2014 and was rated as good in all key questions.

We based our judgement of the quality of care at this service on a combination of:

• What we found when we inspected
• Information from our ongoing monitoring of data about services and
• Information from the provider, patients, the public and other organisations.

We found that:

• The practice provided care in a way that kept patients safe and protected them from avoidable harm.
• Patients received effective care and treatment that met their needs.
• Staff dealt with patients with kindness and respect and involved them in decisions about their care.
• The practice organised and delivered services to meet patients’ needs. Patients could access care and treatment in a timely way.
• The way the practice was well-led and managed the delivery of high-quality, person-centre care.

The areas where the provider should make improvements are:

• The practice should carry out fire drills.

Details of our findings and the evidence supporting our ratings are set out in the evidence tables.

Professor Steve Field CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP
Chief Inspector of General Practice

Letter from the Chief Inspector of General Practice

This is the report of findings from our inspection of The Poplars Medical Centre.   The Poplars Medical Centre is registered with the Care Quality Commission to provide  the following regulated activities: Diagnostic and Screening, Family Planning, Maternity and Midwifery Services, Surgical Procedures and Treatment of Disease, Disorder or Injury.

We undertook a planned, comprehensive inspection on 6 October 2014. We spoke with patients, staff and the practice management team.

The practice was rated as Good. An effective, responsive and well- led service was provided that met the needs of the population it served.

Our key findings were as follows:

There were systems in place to protect patients from avoidable harm, such as from the risks associated with medicines and cross infection.

Patients’ care needs were assessed and care and treatment was considered in line with best practice national guidelines. Staff were proactive in promoting good health and referrals were made to other agencies to ensure patients received the treatments they needed.

Feedback from patients showed they were overall happy with the care given by all staff. They felt listened to, treated with dignity and respect and had confidence in the GPs and nurses.

The practice planned its services to meet the differing needs of patients. The appointment system in place allowed good access to the service.

The practice had a clear vision and set of values which were understood by staff and publicised for patients. There was a clear leadership structure in place. Quality and performance were monitored, risks were identified and managed.

There were areas of practice where the provider needs to make improvements. 

The provider should:

• Improve the way medicine alerts were managed as some patients’ medicines had not been reviewed as the alert had advised. 

Professor Steve Field (CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP) 

Chief Inspector of General Practice