We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection at Donneybrook Medical Centre on 20 February 2019 as part of our inspection programme.

We based our judgement of the quality of care at this service on a combination of:

• what we found when we inspected
• information from our ongoing monitoring of data about services and
• information from the provider, patients, the public and other organisations.

We have rated this practice as good overall and good for all population groups.

We found that:

• The practice provided care in a way that kept patients safe and protected them from avoidable harm.
• Patients received effective care and treatment that met their needs.
• Staff dealt with patients with kindness and respect and involved them in decisions about their care.
• The practice organised and delivered services to meet patients’ needs. Patients could access care and treatment in a timely way.
• The way the practice was led and managed promoted the delivery of high-quality, person-centre care.

Whilst we found no breaches of regulations, the provider should:

• Monitor patient experience of confidentiality at reception.
• Look to carry out annual minor surgery audits.
• Ensure work is carried out to replace window blinds which do not meet current safety standards.

Details of our findings and the evidence supporting our ratings are set out in the evidence tables.

Professor Steve Field CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGPChief Inspector of General Practice

Letter from the Chief Inspector of General Practice

We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection at Donneybrook Medical Centre on 7 January 2016. Overall the practice is rated as good.

Our key findings across all the areas we inspected were as follows:

• Staff understood and fulfilled their responsibilities to raise concerns and to report incidents and near misses. Information about safety was recorded, monitored, appropriately reviewed and addressed.
• Risks to patients were assessed and well managed, including those relating to recruitment checks.
• Patients’ needs were assessed and care was planned and delivered following best practice guidance. Staff had received training appropriate to their roles and any further training needs had been identified and planned.

• Data showed some patient outcomes were low compared to the locality and nationally. The practice was aware of the data and with a fully establish clinical team were improving outcomes in year.

• Feedback from patients about their care was positive.

• Patients said they were treated with compassion, dignity and respect and they were involved in their care and decisions about their treatment.

• The practice implemented suggestions for improvements and made changes to the way it delivered services as a consequence of feedback from patients and from the patient participation group.

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

• Patients said they found it difficult to get through on the telephone and were not always able to make an appointment when they needed to. As a result of feedback the practice introduced a new telephone system.

• All patients had 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 areas where the provider should make improvement are:

• Ensure appointments and the telephone system are monitored to improve access.

Professor Steve Field (CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP) 

Chief Inspector of General Practice

Donneybrook Medical Centre operates a weekday service for patients in the Hyde, GeeCross, Newton, Dukinfield, Denton, Godley and Hattersley area.   Donneybrook Medical Centre provides an extended service so opens at 7.00am one day a week and closes at 6.00pm five days a week.  The surgery is responsible for providing primary care, which includes travel vaccinations, family planning, well woman and well man clinics, cervical smears, smoking cessation and asthma clinics.  The practice is registered with the Care Quality Commission to deliver the following regulated activities:

• diagnostic and screening procedures
• family planning
• maternity and midwifery services
• surgical procedures
• treatment of disease, disorder or injury. 

The patients we spoke with and who completed our comment cards were very complimentary about the care provided by clinical and non-clinical staff.  They said they are always treated with respect and the GPs are attentive and patient.  They said that overall, the reception staff are friendly and helpful.  Patients told us they have enough time during their consultation to talk about their health issues and their GP is attentive to their care needs.  Patients confirmed they are involved in making decisions about their care and their GP explains everything about their treatments in a way they can understand.

The practice has good systems in place to safeguard patients from the possible risk of abuse and harm. 

Staff spoken with said they enjoy their work and feel well supported in their role.

Improvements are needed to the records kept about complaint investigations, staff personnel files and the way medicines are checked and stored.