Letter from the Chief Inspector of General Practice

We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection at The Springfield Surgery - Bingley on 18 January 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. Staff understood their responsibilities to raise concerns and report incidents and near misses.
• Risks to patients were assessed and safely 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.
• Patients said they were treated with compassion, dignity and respect and they were involved in their care and decisions about their treatment.
• Information about services and how to complain was available and easy to understand.
• Patients said they could book urgent appointments when they needed to and these were 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. We found positive working relationships between the staff.
• The provider was aware of and complied with the requirements of the Duty of Candour.

• The practice offered a self-help room with blood pressure checks, height and weight checks and Internet access for all to use.

We saw areas of outstanding practice:

• The practice achieved seven out of seven five star reviews on NHS choices; for example “I am a nervous patient and I have been really impressed and grateful for the care I have received. Best doctor ever!” and “I have always had access to the GPs in times of crisis for the patients. I feel we work very well as a team with good joined up working and this includes back office staff and practice nurses” Community Case Manager.

• In a recent ‘Friends and family’ survey 99% (310 out of 312) would be ‘likely’ to recommend this practice.

• The practice offered in house CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) training to patients via the British Heart Foundation.

Professor Steve Field (CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP) 

Chief Inspector of General Practice