Letter from the Chief Inspector of General Practice

We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection at Dr Short and Partners on 10 November 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 for reporting and recording significant events and learning from these was discussed and shared at practice meetings.
• Risks to patients were assessed and well managed.
• Infection prevention and control was well managed within the practice, with staff members being identified to take responsibility for specific aspects of the process.
• Some areas of the practice required maintenance attention, for example, carpet in a consulting room and the female toilet area, however, the practice had raised these issues and were waiting for action to be taken.
• 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.
• Wound care was well managed at the practice as was anticoagulation, (anticoagulants are medicines that help thin the blood and prevent blood clots) with two clinics held each week and home visits for patients with reduced mobility or age related concerns.
• The trainee and locum induction pack at the practice was detailed and helped to ensure that new staff were aware of the provision at the practice and in the local area, where to look for support and how to raise concerns.
• Four members of the staff team were trained to manage diabetes; including insulin initiation (insulin initiation is the process for starting patients with diabetes on treatment).
• 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. Improvements were made to the quality of care as a result of complaints and concerns.
• Patients said they found it easy to make an appointment and there was continuity of care, with urgent appointments available the same day.
• Data from the national GP patient survey rated the practice higher than the clinical commissioning group (CCG) and the national average for telephone access.
• The practice had good facilities, had made good use of all available space, and was equipped to treat patients and meet their needs.
• There was a clear leadership structure and staff felt supported by management. The practice 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:

• Continue to focus on securing improvements to the maintenance of the building and the replacement of the fabric chairs in the shared waiting area.

Professor Steve Field CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGPChief Inspector of General Practice

Professor Steve Field (CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP) 

Chief Inspector of General Practice