Letter from the Chief Inspector of General Practice

The Village Medical Practice was acquired by Hope Citadel Healthcare in October 2016. We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection on 27 September 2017. 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 a system in place for reporting and recording significant events.
• The practice had clearly defined systems to minimise risks to patient safety.
• Staff were aware of current evidence based guidance. Staff had been trained to provide them with the skills and knowledge to deliver effective care and treatment.
• Results from the national GP patient survey showed patients were treated with compassion, dignity and respect and were involved in their care and decisions about their treatment.
• Information about services and how to complain was available.
• All staff employed by the practice had received a disclosure and barring check (DBS check). (DBS checks identify whether a person has a criminal record or is on an official list of people barred from working in roles where they may have contact with children or adults who may be vulnerable).
• Patients we spoke with said they found it easy to make an appointment with a named GP and there was continuity of care, with urgent appointments available the same day.
• Although the practice had some good facilities and was well equipped to treat patients and meet their needs the practice occupied a small area within a health centre which they shared with another practice. They had very little office and storage space and four treatment rooms which were used by GPs, advanced nurse practitioner, focused care workers, counsellors, practice nurse and health care assistants.
• Due to the space restrictions the practice were unable to offer services offered at other Hope Citadel practices for example social activities such as craft classes for female patients, gardening classes for male patients and boogie babies.
• 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 the requirements of the duty of candour.

We saw one area of outstanding practice:

The practice recruited focused care workers who were able to provide social and medical care for patients in need. They were able to demonstrate the positive impact for this group of patients. For example one patient asked to speak to us and told us of their personal experience of how the practice had made a positive difference to their life.

Professor Steve Field CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP 

Chief Inspector of General Practice