Letter from the Chief Inspector of General Practice

We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection at The Stonedean Practice on 1 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 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 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 found it easy to make an appointment with a named GP and that there was continuity of care, with urgent appointments available the same day.
• Access to the service was monitored to ensure it met the needs of patients. Outreach clinics were held for a local village to enable elderly and vulnerable patients to receive care and services.
• 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:

• To ensure the business continuity plan accurately reflects planned actions to be taken in the event of practice closure or inaccessibility.
• Ensure that evidence of appropriate disclosure and barring service checks for staff are readily accessible.

Professor Steve Field (CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP) 

Chief Inspector of General Practice