This practice is rated as Good overall. (Previous rating February 2016 – Good)

The key questions at this inspection are rated as:

Are services safe? – Good

Are services effective? – Good

Are services caring? – Good

Are services responsive? – Good

Are services well-led? - Good

We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection at Dr W N Harrison and Partners on 8 November 2018. This was part of our planned inspection programme.

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

• The practice had clear systems to manage risk so that safety incidents were less likely to happen. When incidents did happen, the practice learned from them and improved their processes.
• Staff involved and treated patients with compassion, kindness, dignity and respect.
• There was a strong focus on continuous learning and improvement at all levels of the organisation.
• The practice proactively identified carers and supported them. The practice had identified 278 patients as carers which was approximately 3% of their practice list.
• The practice’s performance on quality indicators was 99% which was above the Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) average of 97% and England average of 96% with an exception reporting rate of 14% compared with the CCG average of 11% and England average of 10%.
• The practice routinely reviewed the effectiveness and appropriateness of the care they provided. We saw evidence of audits that drove improvements throughout all levels of care.
• We found there were established safeguarding processes for all staff to follow. Staff were encouraged to report safeguarding concerns.
• Patients in care homes were visited regularly by the GPs to ensure they had continuity of care and to reduce admissions into accident and emergency.
• The practice was a training practice for qualified doctors training to become a general practitioner.

Letter from the Chief Inspector of General Practice

We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection at The Cornerstone Practice on 9 February 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.
• Urgent appointments with a GP were available on the same day.
• Information about services and how to complain was available and easy to understand.
• 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.

The areas where the provider should make improvement are

• Annual infection control audits should be undertaken.

• Ensure phlebotomy is only undertaken in the appropriate rooms without carpets.

• Ensure all policies are reviewed annually.

Professor Steve Field (CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP) 

Chief Inspector of General Practice