Letter from the Chief Inspector of General Practice

A comprehensive inspection was undertaken at Dartford East Health Centre on 28 October 2014.

Dartford East Health Centre is located in Dartford, Kent. Approximately 14,500 are registered with the practice.

During our visit we spoke with a range of staff which included four GPs. We spoke with seven patients during the inspection. We spoke to two members of the patient participation group.

We found that overall, the practice offered a good level of service to all of the patient population groups who received services from the practice.

Our key findings were as follows:

• The practice is rated as good for safe. Staff understood and fulfilled their responsibilities to raise concerns, and report incidents and near misses. Lessons were learned and communicated widely to support improvement. Information about safety was recorded, monitored, appropriately reviewed and addressed. Risks to patients were assessed and well managed. There were enough staff to keep people safe. The practice was clean and medicines were managed appropriately.

• The practice is rated as good for effective. Data showed patient outcomes were at or above average for the locality. NICE guidance is referenced and used routinely. People’s needs are assessed and care is planned and delivered in line with current legislation. This includes assessment of capacity and the promotion of good health. Staff had received training appropriate to their roles and further training needs have been identified and planned. However the provider may like to note that not all staff had completed an induction. The practice can identify all appraisals and the personal development plans for all staff. Multidisciplinary working was evidenced.

• The practice was rated as good for responsive, patients were happy with the current appointment system and types of appointments available. Patients said they could obtain an appointment when they needed one and they were able to get through on the telephone.

• The practice was rated as good for well led. The practice engaged patients and staff sufficiently in the operation of the service or ensured that staff had received appropriate ongoing learning and development opportunities to enable them to provide effective care, treatment and support to patients.

In addition the provider should:

• Ensure that all staff joining the practice undergo and complete induction training

Professor Steve Field (CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP) 

Chief Inspector of General Practice