Letter from the Chief Inspector of General Practice

We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection at Blackhall and Peterlee Practice on 9 November 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 well managed.
• Staff assessed patients’ needs and delivered care in line with current evidence based guidance. Staff had been trained to provide them with 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 complaints and concerns.
• Patients 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 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.

The areas where the provider should make improvements are:

• Ensure all staff who act as chaperones have a Disclosure and Barring service check.

• Ensure that fridge temperature recordings are correctly monitored and the results acted upon accordingly.

• Ensure all staff have an annual appraisal

Professor Steve Field (CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP) 

Chief Inspector of General Practice

Our inspection of October 2013 found people were not always protected against the risks of potentially unsafe emergency equipment. This was because the provider was not providing effective, safe and appropriate systems to check that all emergency equipment was safe and in good working order.

During this inspection we found there were weekly records to show the oxygen cylinders were being checked to ensure the flow meter was in working order and that there was a sufficient level of oxygen available in the event of an emergency. There were weekly audits carried out to ensure the defibrillator (used in the event of patient heart failure) was in good working order. There were also weekly audits carried out to check the baby pulse machine was working properly. This meant patient's were safe because suitable medical emergency equipment was monitored while being used and therefore action could be taken if any item did not appear to be working properly.

As part of this inspection, we did a brief tour of the other two branch surgeries. Both were very busy, the staff were friendly towards patients and well organised.

Patients told us they were always treated with care and respect. Patients told us their views were listened to and their needs were fully met. We were told they could get an appointment easily and the reception staff were "Excellent."

Staff we spoke with understood the safeguarding procedures for adults and children.

We saw the practice actively sought the views of patients through comments and an active patient participation group. We saw changes to the service had been implemented as a result of patient feedback.

We saw the practice was mainly up to date with infection control policies and procedures. When we spoke with staff they had a clear understanding how to reduce the risk of cross infection. The surgery was clean and well maintained.

Staff were provided with support, guidance and training to make sure they were able to carry out their role safely.

We found care and treatment was planned and delivered in a way that ensured people’s safety and welfare. However, we saw some records were not being properly kept regarding some medical devices used at the Blackhall practice.

We saw that the general practitioners were following national guidance as well as local Clinical Commissioning Group guidelines to make sure they were using best practice guidance.