Letter from the Chief Inspector of General Practice

We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection at Drs DT Brazier and D York on 17 March 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.
• Overall risks to patients were assessed and well managed.
• Staff assessed patients’ needs and delivered care in line with current evidence based guidance. Staff had 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.
• Patients said they found it easy to make an appointment with a named GP and that 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 practice took part in peer reviews to ensure best and safe working practice.

However there were areas where the provider should make improvements

• Remove all equipment no longer in use from the emergency trolley.
• Label training items as such and separate from items in stock.
• Introduce a system where staff training is more easily monitored.

Professor Steve Field CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP 

Chief Inspector of General Practice

During our inspection we spoke with four patients and five staff, including the practice manager, a doctor and a practice nurse.

Patients spoke positively about the doctors and other staff. They told us they were always able to see a doctor on the day they preferred because the practice had an 'open surgery' every morning. Patients’ comments included “This is how surgeries used to be. You feel part of a family”, “They treat you as an individual. They bend over backwards to help” and “I know every single member of staff and there isn’t one who isn’t helpful”.

Emergency drugs and equipment were available for use in a medical emergency and all staff had been trained in basic life support.

We saw that all areas of the practice were clean. Protective clothing such as disposable gloves were available and liquid hand wash, alcohol hand gel and paper towels were available in all consultation rooms.

The practice had a recruitment policy in place and appropriate checks were carried out prior to new staff starting work.

The provider had a system in place to assess and monitor the quality of the services provided.