Letter from the Chief Inspector of General Practice

We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection at Dr MJJ and Dr SR Beckers, known locally as The Charmouth Medical Practice, on 17 May 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.

• Feedback from patients about their care was consistently positive.

• Patients said they were treated with compassion, dignity and respect and they were involved in their care and decisions about their treatment.
• Patients said they found it easy to make an appointment with a named GP and there was continuity of care, with urgent appointments always available the same day.
• The practice had good facilities and was well equipped to treat patients and meet their needs.

• The practice actively reviewed complaints and how they are managed and responded to, and made improvements as a result.

• 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.

We saw areas of outstanding practice:

• The practice consistently achieved positive patient feedback. The most recent national GP survey results were consistently above local and national averages for patient satisfaction. Patient comments on CQC comment cards were also strongly positive about the practice. Patients we spoke to on the day of inspection spoke highly of the practice and of the high quality care they received.

• The practice organised and ran a series of free health education events in the local community. At the time of our inspection, a GP was running sessions which focused upon healthy eating and cooking skills to promote good nutrition. The GP had gained an additional accredited qualification in nutritional medicine. The practice particularly publicised these sessions to patients with long-term conditions, however the sessions were available to all in the local community to attend.

However, the areas where the provider should make improvement are:

•           Ensure that blank prescriptions held in clinical areas are kept securely at all times.

Professor Steve Field (CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP) 

Chief Inspector of General Practice