Letter from the Chief Inspector of General Practice

We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection at Washingborough Surgery on 21 July 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. The practice had an effective risk register in place which included risk assessments in relation to the dispensaries.

• The practice had reviewed its processes for ensuring codes in use for vulnerable patients and those with either a safeguarding concern or suffered with a learning disability within the patient care record were continually reviewed and updated. The practice had worked closely with the local CCG to help to improve codes used to ensure other local practices were using the correct codes.

• Staff assessed patients’ needs and delivered care in line with current evidence based guidance. Staff had been trained to provide them with the skills, knowledge and experience to deliver effective care and treatment.

• Performance for diabetes related indicators was 91% which was better than the national average of 89%. (Overall exception reporting rate was 6% which was better than the local average of 11%).

• 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. Improvements were made to the quality of care as a result of complaints and concerns.

• Patients 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.

• 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.

• The practice arranged an annual social event for elderly patients held in the village of Washingborough which had been held for the past three years. All monies raised through this event were donated to a chosen charity.

• The provider was aware of and complied with the requirements of the duty of candour.

The areas where the provider should make improvement are:

• Ensure actions are taken to ensure the safe storage of Lloyd George patient records.

Professor Steve Field (CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP) 

Chief Inspector of General Practice