Letter from the Chief Inspector of General Practice

We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection at Drs Wunsch, Atkinson, Thomas, Evans, Embley and Baxter on 16 February 2016. Overall the practice is rated as good.

Our key findings were as follows:

• There was an open and transparent approach to safety and an effective system was in place for reporting and recording significant events. The premises were visibly clean and tidy. Checks carried out during staff recruitment served to protect patients from risks of harm.

• Systems were in place to ensure medicines were safely dispensed and vaccines were stored appropriately and in date for safe administration. However, more secure storage of medicines was needed in the dispensary.

• Patients had their needs assessed and care delivered in line with current guidance. Staff had the skills, knowledge and experience to deliver effective care and treatment. Staff promoted health education to empower patients to live healthier lives.

• Feedback from patients and observations throughout our inspection showed that staff were kind caring and helpful.

• Practice staff worked closely with other organisations and professionals in planning how services were provided to ensure that they meet people’s needs. People with complex needs had care plans in place that were regularly reviewed.

• There was a system in place to respond to and act on feedback and complaints.

• There was a clear leadership structure and staff told us they felt supported by management. It was evident that there was a strongly motivated staff team who worked together in making on-going improvements of the services provided for patients.

However, there was an area of practice where the provider needs to make improvements.

The provider should:

• Review arrangements to prevent unauthorised entry to the dispensary.

• Review the arrangement for identifying and recording those patients who were also carers.

Professor Steve Field (CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP) 

Chief Inspector of General Practice

We reviewed the information available to us about Drs Wunsch, Atkinson, Thomas, Evans, Embley and Baxter on 29 May 2019. We did not find evidence of significant changes to the quality of service being provided since the last inspection. As a result, we decided not to inspect the surgery at this time. We will continue to monitor this information about this service throughout the year and may inspect the surgery when we see evidence of potential changes.