Letter from the Chief Inspector of General Practice

We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection at Dr Nagle and Partners on 18 December 2015. Overall the practice is rated as good.

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

• The practice ensured that when things went wrong that these were investigated and learning was shared with staff. Risks to patients were assessed and well managed. There were systems for assessing risks including those associated with medicines, premises, equipment and infection control.
• There was a detailed business continuity plan to deal with untoward incidents that may affect the day to day running of the practice.
• Staff were recruited robustly with all of the appropriate checks carried out to determine each person’s suitability and fitness to work at the practice. Where locum GPs were employed verbal references had been sought and this was not recorded.

• Patients’ needs were assessed and care was planned and delivered following best practice guidance. Clinical audits and reviews were carried out to make improvements to patient care and treatment.

• Staff were supported and received role specific training to meet the needs of patients and there was a system for staff appraisal.
• 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. Complaints were investigated and responded to appropriately and apologies given to patients when things went wrong or their experienced poor care or services.
• The majority of 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 reviewed its appointments system and upgraded the telephone systems to address patients comments about the lack of accessible appointments and difficulties
• 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 to make improvements to the services provided.

However there were areas of practice where the provider needs to make improvements.

Importantly the provider should:

• Review the arrangements for storing temperature sensitive medicines and keep records of actual fridge temperatures.

• Ensure that recruitment files for locum GPs contain a record of all of the checks carried out including references.

Professor Steve Field (CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP) 

Chief Inspector of General Practice