Letter from the Chief Inspector of General Practice

We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection at Deer Park Medical Practice on 15 February 2015. 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 for dealing with information concerning safety. This included an effective system for reporting and reviewing significant events; although the recording of the learning outcomes needed to be strengthened.

• Risks to patients were assessed and well managed overall.

• Suitable arrangements were in place to ensure staff had the skills, knowledge and experience to deliver effective care and treatment.

• The practice worked closely with other health and social care teams and the local community to deliver coordinated care for patients.

• The practice had lower rates for outpatient referrals, hospital admissions and accident and emergency attendances when compared to the local average.

• The practice had effective systems in place for identifying and referring patients at risk of cancer. Data showed the practice had achieved high screening rates for cancer compared to local and national averages.

• Patients said they were treated with compassion, dignity and respect and they were involved in their care and decisions about their treatment. They also found it easy to make an appointment with a GP and urgent appointments were available the same day.

• This was reflected in the national GP patient survey results where 90% of respondents would recommend this surgery to someone new to the area.

• The practice had good facilities and was well equipped to treat patients and meet their needs.

• Information about services and how to complain was available and easy to understand.

• The practice had a clear vision which had equality, quality and safety as its top priority. High standards were promoted and owned by practice staff with evidence of team working across all roles.

• There was a clear leadership structure and staff felt supported by management.

• The practice proactively sought feedback from staff, patients and the patient participation group, and acted on suggestions made to improve the overall service.

There were areas of practice where the provider should make improvements:

• Ensure detailed and up to date records relating to the overall management of the regulated activities are kept. This includes meeting minutes, prescriptions held by doctors and business plans.

• Review arrangements in place to identify, assess and manage all risks including infection control for those areas of the building that are occupied and used by the practice.

Professor Steve Field (CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP) 

Chief Inspector of General Practice