Letter from the Chief Inspector of General Practice

We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection at Weaver Vale Practice on 3 August 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 managed.
• Staff assessed patients’ needs and delivered care in line with current evidence based guidance.

• The practice carried out audits of clinical work, which drove improvements in care of patients.

• 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. Improvements were made to the quality of care as a result of audits, reviews, complaints and concerns.
• Patients said they could make an appointment with a named GP and there was continuity of care, with urgent appointments available the same day.
• There was a clear leadership structure and staff felt supported by management.
• The practice was a training practice hosting trainee GPs and medical students. We saw that there was sufficient mentor support in place for these trainees.
• 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.

Professor Steve Field (CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP) 

Chief Inspector of General Practice

When we inspected Weaver Vale Practice in October 2013 we found that improvements were needed to the systems used by the provider to ensure that people using the practice were cared for, or supported by, suitably qualified, skilled and experienced staff.

Following our visit the provider prepared an action plan which indicated that appropriate arrangements would be in place by March 2014. We carried out this inspection to follow up on the actions taken by the provider to ensure people were safe.

We looked at the records and the documents relating to the recruitment and selection of staff. We also looked at checks made with the relevant professional bodies.

We found that improvements had been made and that the requirement of this essential standard was being met.

During this inspection we visited Weaver Vale Practice within the Hallwood Health Centre. We spoke with GPs, the registered manager, practice manager, practice nurse, reception staff and a sample of patients on the day of our visit.

Patients spoken with provided mixed comments about the practice. Comments received from patients included: “We have changed to this practice, my wife has the help and support here that she never had in the other one”; “You phone up and a GP calls you back” and “It is very easy to get an appointment.”

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However some patients stated: “When I get to a doctor they are ok but don’t always see my own doctor and there is a lack of continuity”; “I find that it is hard to get an appointment and there is a lack of continuity when you do” and “It is difficult to get an appointment.”