Letter from the Chief Inspector of General Practice

We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection at Dr Umadevi Parameswaran / Ashburton Park Medical Practice on 15 December 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 the skills, knowledge and experience to deliver effective care and 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.
• 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 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.

There were areas of practice where the provider should make improvements:

• Review practice procedures to ensure all patients with learning disability are regularly reviewed.

Professor Steve Field CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP 

Chief Inspector of General Practice

We spoke with six people using the service on the day of our inspection. All of the people spoke positively about their experiences of the practice. One person said, “Staff are really good and friendly. I don’t worry when I come here.” Another told us, “I have nothing but praise for this practice. The receptionists always do their best to fit you in.” Another said, “We are very pleased with the service we get.”

People we spoke with told us practice staff discussed their care and treatment options with them. We looked at the records of people using the service and saw people had been involved in discussions about their care and treatment. We saw staff took prompt action when tests or further investigations were needed, such as referrals to the local hospital.

The provider had procedures in place for staff to report any concerns they had about the welfare and wellbeing of people using the service. Practice staff had received training in child protection and safeguarding of vulnerable adults. Medicines within the practice were kept safely and securely.

People told us the environment was clean and tidy. From our own observations the practice was clean and had been well maintained.

People were asked for their views and experiences about using the service and this had been used to make changes and improvements that people wanted. The provider also undertook regular audits to monitor and review the quality and safety of the service provided.