Letter from the Chief Inspector of General Practice

We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection at Dr Michael Cavendish, also known as The Hodford Road Surgery on 26 July 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.
• Risks to patients were assessed and well managed.
• Staff assessed patients’ needs and delivered care in line with current evidence based guidance. Staff had been trained to provide them with the skills, knowledge and experience to deliver effective care and treatment.
• Patients said they were generally 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. Improvements were made to the quality of care as a result of complaints and concerns.
• Patients said they generally found it easy to make an appointment with a named GP and there was continuity of care, with urgent appointments available the same day.
• The practice offered 15 minute appointments as standard.
• 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 areas where the provider should make improvement are:

• Ensure clarity on referral pathways for patients.

• Ensure systems are in place for regular multidisciplinary meetings.

• Ensure planned staff appraisals are completed.

• Encourage more patients to participate in the national screening programmes including those for bowel and breast cancer.

Professor Steve Field CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP

Chief Inspector of General Practice