Letter from the Chief Inspector of General Practice

We carried out an announced inspection of The Long Buckby Practice on 7 October 2014. This was a comprehensive inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act (2008) as part of our regulatory functions. The practice achieved an overall rating of good. This was based on all of the five domains and six population groups we looked at achieving the same good rating.

Our key findings were as follows:

• Patients reported good access to the practice. Appointments, including those required out of normal working hours or in an emergency were available.
• Systems were in place to identify and respond to concerns about the safeguarding of adults and children. All staff demonstrated a good awareness of the processes.
• Systems were in place to maintain the appropriate standards of cleanliness and protect people from the risks of infection. The practice was clean.
• We saw patients receiving respectful treatment from staff. Patients felt that their privacy and dignity was respected by staff.

We saw several areas of outstanding practice including:

• The services and support provided to patients who identified as carers.
• The medical and psychological reviews provided to looked after children who may not be permanently registered as patients at the practice.

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

The provider should:

• Ensure that all staff receive training in the Mental Capacity Act (2005).

Professor Steve Field (CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP) 

Chief Inspector of General Practice