This practice is rated as Good overall. (The practice was previously inspected 26 July 2017 and rated 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 Aylestone Surgery on 11 June 2018.The practice is part of a partnership (Leicester Medical Group) with nearby practice in Thurmaston (Thurmaston Health Centre). We identified serious concerns at the Thurmaston practice during recent inspection and therefore we inspected Aylestone Surgery to ensure the same risks did not exist.

At this inspection we found:

• The practice had clear 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.
• The practice routinely reviewed the effectiveness and appropriateness of the care it provided. It ensured that care and treatment was delivered according to evidence based guidelines.
• Staff involved and treated patients with compassion, kindness, dignity and respect.
• Feedback from Care Quality Commission(CQC) comment cards that we received and NHS choices reviews suggested that patients found the appointment system easy to use and reported that they were able to access care when they needed it.
• We saw evidence that the practice sought feedback from staff and patients, which it acted on. For example, the practice had employed a long-term female locum GP as requested by patients.
• The practice was located in a modern purpose-built building which provided good facilities and was well equipped to treat patients and meet their needs.
• There was a strong focus on continuous learning and improvement at all levels of the organisation.

The areas where the provider should make improvements are:

• Continue to identify the number of carers registered at the practice so they can be offered further help and support.

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

Letter from the Chief Inspector of General Practice

We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection at the Aylestone Surgery on 26 July 2017. 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 a system in place for reporting, recording and reviewing significant events.
• The practice had systems in place to minimise risks to patient safety.
• Prescription forms and pads were stored securely and patients receiving high risk medicines were regularly reviewed.
• Staff were aware of current evidence based guidance and their training had provided them with the skills and knowledge to deliver effective care and treatment. There was also a focus on ongoing learning and training to maintain and develop skills.
• The practice aimed to provide patient centred care taking into account patients’ needs and circumstances.
• Results from the national GP patient survey published in July 2017, were higher than local and national averages in most areas and showed patients were treated with compassion, dignity and respect and were involved in their care and decisions about their treatment.
• Information about services and how to complain or raise concerns was available. Improvements were made to the quality of care because of complaints and concerns.
• Patients who commented on their care described the service as excellent and said that they were treated as individuals and felt staff were very caring. They 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 was located in a modern purpose built building which provided good facilities and was well equipped to treat patients and meet their needs now and in the future
• There was a clear leadership structure and staff felt supported by management. The practice proactively sought feedback from staff and patients and we saw that this had been acted upon.
• The provider was aware of the requirements of the duty of candour. Examples we reviewed showed the practice complied with these requirements.

Professor Steve Field (CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP) 

Chief Inspector of General Practice