Letter from the Chief Inspector of General Practice

We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection at City View Medical Practice on 3 August 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 and recording significant events. We saw that incidents and events were analysed and learning shared with others; both in the practice and with the local Clinical Commissioning Group.
• The practice had clearly defined and embedded systems to minimise risks to patient safety. They responded quickly to areas of identified risk.
• The practice delivered enhanced services or participated in programmes, to meet the needs of their patient population.
• The practice had identified that 31% of their patients had a mental health issue. As a result, they had employed a mental health specialist nurse, who provided additional support for those patients. This model of working had been shared with other practices within the Leeds South and East Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG).
• Staff had been trained to provide them with the skills and knowledge to deliver effective care and treatment. They effectively utilised current best practice and guidance.
• Patients we spoke with said they were treated with compassion, dignity and respect.
• Information about services and how to complain was available. Improvements were made to the quality of care as a result of complaints and concerns.
• The practice had good facilities and was well equipped to treat patients and meet their needs.
• The provider was aware of the requirements of the duty of candour. Examples we reviewed showed the practice complied with these requirements.
• The practice had good governance arrangements in place. There was strong and visible clinical and managerial leadership and staff said they felt supported.
• The practice had undergone a period of change which had supported continued improved services for patients. The practice had a strong vision, which included working with patients to support the delivery of high quality care and treatment.

We saw several areas of outstanding practice:

• There was involvement with the wider community, through the use of the patient participation group, the volunteer practice health champions and the practice allotment. The allotment was used to promote health and well-being of patients. Any produce grown in the allotment was made available to patients within the practice.
• The practice was recognised by the CCG as being a good example of best practice in promoting bowel cancer screening with patients. We were informed of the “gold standard service” which was offered by the practice.

The area where the provider should make an improvement is: 

• Embed the revised processes regarding emergency equipment and medicines.

Professor Steve Field CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP 

Chief Inspector of General Practice