Letter from the Chief Inspector of General Practice

This is a focused follow-up inspection of The RLC Surgery for one area within the key question safe. We found the practice to be good in providing safe services. Overall, the practice is rated as good.

The practice was previously inspected on 16 February 2016. The inspection was a comprehensive inspection under the Health and Social Care Act 2008. At that inspection, the practice was rated good overall. However, within the key question safe, one area was identified as requiring improvement, as the practice was not meeting the legislation at that time:

Regulation 12 HSCA (RA) Regulations 2014 Safe care and treatment

• The registered person did not ensure the proper and safe management of medicines.

Following that inspection the practice was rated as good with the following domain ratings:

Safe – Requires improvement

Effective – Good

Caring – Good

Responsive – Good

Well led – Good.

The practice provided us with an action plan detailing how they were going to make the required

improvements. During the inspection on 5 December 2016 the practice showed us evidence which demonstrated they are now meeting the requirements of Regulation 12 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2010.

Following this re-inspection, our key findings in the safe domain we inspected were as follows:

• There was a record of the fridge temperature.
• Medicine expiry dates were monitored and recorded.

• A record was kept of vaccine stocks and emergency medicines.
• There was a record of the emergency medicines ordered for the practice.

Professor Steve Field (CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP) 

Chief Inspector of General Practice

Letter from the Chief Inspector of General Practice

We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection at The RLC on 16 February 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 effective systems in place for reporting and recording significant events.
• Risks to patients were overall assessed and well managed.

• Staff assessed patients’ needs and delivered care in line with current evidence based guidance. Staff had the skills, knowledge and experience to deliver effective care and treatment, although some staff required further training in areas such as safeguarding.
• Patients said they were treated with compassion, dignity and respect and they were involved in their care and decisions about their treatment.
• Medicines were not thoroughly checked and monitored to ensure their safe use.
• Information about services and how to complain was available and easy to understand.
• Some patients said they found it very difficult to make an appointment with a named GP.
• 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.
• 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