Letter from the Chief Inspector of General Practice

We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection at Dr Qureshi & Partners on 17 January 2017. Overall the practice is rated as good.

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

• Systems and processes were in place to support the reporting and recording of significant events. Learning was identified from incidents and significant events and shared with relevant staff.
• Risks to patients and staff were generally assessed and well managed within the practice.
• Staff used current evidence based guidance to plan and deliver care for patients. Staff had undertaken training to equip them with the skills and knowledge they required to deliver effective care.
• Patient outcomes were generally in line with or above local and national averages. Staff worked closely with community based staff to meet the needs of their patients. Data showed that avoidable admissions to hospital for older people had reduced.
• Feedback we received as part of the inspection indicated that patients felt they were treated with compassion, dignity and respect and found staff polite, friendly and helpful.
• Information about services and how to complain was available and easy to understand. In addition information about raising complaints and concerns was provided on the practice’s website.
• Patients were generally able to access appointments when they required them. We saw evidence of ongoing reviews of the appointment system.
• The practice had good facilities and was equipped to treat patients and meet their needs.
• There was a clear leadership structure in place and staff were positive about the support they received from management.
• The practice proactively sought feedback from staff and patients; we saw evidence of action taken by the practice in response to feedback. The practice shared information in the waiting area about action taken in response to feedback.
• There was a clear vision for the future and a comprehensive action plan had been developed which supported this; the action plan was regularly reviewed.
• The patient participation group was active and met regularly; they were positive about their interactions with the practice.

The areas where the provider should make improvements are:

• Review or risk assess the arrangements for phlebotomy appointments when there may not be a qualified clinician on site
• Ensure all staff receive regular appraisals in line with the practice’s appraisal plan
• Increase the frequency of documented clinical meetings and consider how information from meetings can be effectively cascaded to locum staff
• Continue to review and address areas of lower patient satisfaction

Professor Steve Field (CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP) 

Chief Inspector of General Practice