Letter from the Chief Inspector of General Practice

This is the report of findings from our inspection of Dr J Pramanik & Dr J T Pramanik Practice. Our comprehensive inspection was a planned inspection, which took place on 9 October 2014.

The Dr J Pramanik & Dr J T Pramanik Practice, also known as Hornspit Medical Centre, operates from purpose built premises which opened in 1994. It is located in the heart of a residential community and serves just over 3000 patients.

Patients told us that they were very satisfied with the services they received and spoke very highly about the health care clinicians treating them.

We have rated this service overall as good.

Our key findings were as follows: The service was patient centred in this small family run, well established practice. Patients felt supported and had confidence in the clinicians. The practice demonstrated a track record of seeking to provide safe and improving services in clean facilities to an inner city community with complex needs and health challenges, including a high incidence of limiting long term illness. It was seeking to improve access to appointments and improve the health and wellbeing of its community.

In addition the provider should:

• Continue to explore improving surgery opening hours and the opportunities for early evening appointments.
• Consider GP training in Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards to support their on-going professional development.
• Consider the introduction of a patient participation group or enhanced local patient surveys.

• Although serious medical emergencies in practice are rare and the practice is situated very close to A&E departments (there are three A&E departments within a three mile radius), it would be best practice to have oxygen available and a revised medical emergencies protocol.

Professor Steve Field (CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP)

Chief Inspector of General Practice