Letter from the Chief Inspector of General Practice

We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection at Wyncroft Surgery on 26 April 2017. Overall the practice is rated as good.

Our key findings across all the areas we inspected were as follows:

• The practice had clearly defined and embedded systems to minimise risks to patient safety.
• Dispensing errors recorded were investigated to identify learning from them. Action taken to mitigate risk was monitored and audited. There was a standard operating procedure in place and this was reviewed annually to ensure it was fit for purpose.
• The practice also monitored trends in significant events and evaluated any action taken.
• The practice was aware of and provided services according to the needs of their patient population. Staff received regular training and skill updates to ensure they had the appropriate skills, knowledge and experience to deliver effective care and treatment.
• Patient’s feedback was consistently positive and the practice preformed significantly better than local and national averages in the National GP Patient Survey.
• The practice did not have an effective system in place to identify patients who were also carers.
• The practice performance for the treatment of patients with conditions such as hypertension (high blood pressure), heart conditions and respiratory illness was above or within the range of the national average
• There was a holistic approach to the planning transfer or transition of patients to other services.
• Patients’ confidentiality was respected at all times. Legal requirements about data protection were met.
• Information about services and how to complain was available and patients told us that they knew how to complain if they needed to.
• The practice offered a range of appointments to suit patient’s needs and to ensure 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.
• The practice had a caring system in place when there was a bereavement. This included contact with the family and a checklist to ensure that all healthcare professionals were informed of the bereavement to reduce the risk of unnecessary stress caused by the receipt of unnecessary correspondence.
• The leadership structure meant staff felt supported and valued, which helped them to give their best. 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. Examples we reviewed showed the practice complied with these requirements.

The areas where the provider should make improvement are:

• Improve the identification of patients who are carers and provide them with appropriate support.

Professor Steve Field (CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP) 

Chief Inspector of General Practice