Letter from the Chief Inspector of General Practice

We carried out an inspection of Estover Surgery on the 9 August 2016. This review was performed to check on the progress of actions taken following an inspection we made on 4 November 2015. Following that inspection the provider sent us an action plan which detailed the steps they would take to meet their breaches of regulation. During our latest inspection on 9 August 2016 we found the provider had made the necessary improvements.

This report covers our findings in relation to the requirements and should be read in conjunction with the report published on 11 February 2016. This can be done by selecting the 'all reports' link for Estover Health Centre on our website at www.cqc.org.uk

Our key findings at this inspection were as follows:

• The practice had improved the health and safety for patients by improving the arrangements for managing medicines (vaccines).

• Patient safety had been improved by introducing more robust recruitment checks of locum staff.

• Improvements to records had improved patient safety. This had included ensuring the confidentiality of patient records, ensuring fire safety records were available and identifying a lead GP who would be responsible for safeguarding vulnerable patients at the practice.

• Staff had received additional training to show they had the skills, knowledge and experience to deliver effective care and treatment.

• The practice had gathered feedback from patients through the surveys and complaints received. The practice had begun to establish a patient participation group.

Professor Steve Field (CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP) 

Chief Inspector of General Practice

Letter from the Chief Inspector of General Practice

We carried out an inspection of Estover Surgery on the 9 August 2016. This review was performed to check on the progress of actions taken following an inspection we made on 4 November 2015. Following that inspection the provider sent us an action plan which detailed the steps they would take to meet their breaches of regulation. During our latest inspection on 9 August 2016 we found the provider had made the necessary improvements.

This report covers our findings in relation to the requirements and should be read in conjunction with the report published on 11 February 2016. This can be done by selecting the 'all reports' link for Estover Health Centre on our website at www.cqc.org.uk

Our key findings at this inspection were as follows:

• The practice had improved the health and safety for patients by improving the arrangements for managing medicines (vaccines).

• Patient safety had been improved by introducing more robust recruitment checks of locum staff.

• Improvements to records had improved patient safety. This had included ensuring the confidentiality of patient records, ensuring fire safety records were available and identifying a lead GP who would be responsible for safeguarding vulnerable patients at the practice.

• Staff had received additional training to show they had the skills, knowledge and experience to deliver effective care and treatment.

• The practice had gathered feedback from patients through the surveys and complaints received. The practice had begun to establish a patient participation group.

Professor Steve Field (CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP) 

Chief Inspector of General Practice

Estover Surgery had two partner GPs, one practice nurse, one healthcare assistant , four receptionists who also undertook administrative duties, and a practice manager. It had 2117 people registered as patients who received care and treatment including chronic disease management, child immunisation, travel vaccinations, phlebotomy (the process of taking blood), family planning and minor surgical procedures.

During our inspection people who used this service were asked to give us their feedback about this service either by email or by telephone. We received feedback from one person. The surgery did not have a patient participation group (PPG). Such a group would act as a voice for patients at the surgery. We spoke with one GP, the practice nurse, two receptionists and the practice manager.

We found practitioners gave people the opportunity to be involved in their own care and gave them information to help them make decisions made about their care and treatment. We saw this was recorded on the person's electronic patient record.

There were measures in place to check and protect the safety and wellbeing of children and adults registered with the practice and staff knew where to find the local safeguarding procedures.

We found the design and layout of the premises was not always suitable for staff working safely.

There were appropriate arrangements in place which ensured that staff kept their knowledge and skills up to date.

The practice was organised. There were effective systems in place to monitor the quality of the service provided.