Letter from the Chief Inspector of General Practice

We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection at Woodcote Medical on 28 June 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 mostly 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. However some of the patients we spoke to reported issues in getting appointments.
• 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 provider was aware of and complied with the requirements of the Duty of Candour.

There were areas of practice where the provider should make improvements:

• Review practice procedures for reading and reviewing patient letters so they are safe and decisions are made by clinical staff.
• Ensure systems are in place for all staff to have annual basic life support training.
• Ensure that the recommendations in the legionella risk assessment are actioned.
• Review the practice procedures to monitor prescriptions which are not collected.
• Ensure the refrigerator temperatures are recorded consistently on days the practice is open and that the cold chain policy is accessible.
• Ensure that the business continuity plan is accessible at the branch practice in the event of an emergency.
• Review systems in place to ensure that patients with a learning disability are regularly reviewed.

Professor Steve Field CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP 

Chief Inspector of General Practice