This practice is rated as Good overall.

The key questions are rated as:

Are services safe? – Good

Are services effective? – Good

Are services caring? – Good

Are services responsive? – Good

Are services well-led? - Good

We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection at Willaston Surgery on 21 August 2018 as part of our inspection programme.

At this inspection we found:

• The practice had systems to manage risk so that safety incidents were less likely to happen. When incidents did happen, the practice learned from them and improved their processes. However, improvements should be made so that all staff are familiar with and fully involved with the significant event learning and improvement process.
• The practice routinely reviewed the effectiveness and appropriateness of the care it provided. Care and treatment was delivered according to evidence based guidelines.
• Staff involved and treated patients with compassion, kindness, dignity and respect.
• Patients found the appointment system easy to use and reported that they were able to access care when they needed it.
• There were systems in place to mitigate safety risks including health and safety, infection control and dealing with safeguarding.
• The practice had good facilities and was well equipped to treat patients and meet their needs. However, the premises had some constraints for access to patients with limited mobility. The practice made reasonable adjustments to accommodate these patients.
• There was a clear leadership structure and staff felt supported by management.
• The practice reviewed and considered patient views through surveys and feedback.
• Staff worked well together as a team, knew their patients well and all felt supported to carry out their roles.
• There was a focus on learning and improvement at all levels of the organisation.
• The provider was aware of the requirements of the duty of candour.

The areas where the provider should make improvements are:

• Review the implementation of policies that are specific to the practice, easily accessible and understandable and enable staff to effectively carry out their role
• Review training in the significant events and incident reporting policy and procedures to ensure staff are familiarised with the local policies and fully involved in the learning process.
• Review the security of the clinical waste bins stored outside the building.
• Review the system for safety alerts received by the practice to ensure action taken is documented.
• Review the inventory for medical equipment calibration to ensure all items are serviced and calibrated accordingly and no items are missed during the annual checks.
• Review the implementation of an audit plan or programme to include audits based on local, national and service priorities.
• Review methods to identify and increase the list of carers to enable the practice to provide appropriate support.

Professor Steve Field CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP
Chief Inspector of General Practice